Botox Around the Eyes | What You Need to Know
Botox for under eye wrinkles and crow’s feet. Patient-friendly guide to results, safety and treatment options.
Fine lines show up early around the eyes because the skin is thin and always moving.
Smiling. Squinting. Blinking.
This guide explains how Botox around the eyes can soften motion lines like crow’s feet and how a careful approach can improve the look of under-eye wrinkles while keeping your eyes natural.
Quick Takeaways
Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering Botox under eyes, crow’s feet Botox, or Botox around eyes for a smoother, refreshed look.
- Crow’s feet Botox is well studied and reliably softens lines at the outer corners.
- Botox under eyes can help fine crinkles in selected patients. It requires lower doses and expert placement.
- Botox smooths dynamic lines from movement. It does not fill hollows or remove bags.
- Results usually appear in 3 to 7 days. Peak at about 2 weeks. Last about 3 to 4 months.
These key points can help you decide if Botox for under eye wrinkles or crow’s feet is right for you before moving on to a full consultation.
What Causes Lines Around the Eyes
The skin around your eyes is thin and constantly in motion, which makes it especially prone to early signs of aging.
- Dynamic lines from muscle movement. Smiles and squints create crow’s feet and fine under-eye crinkles.
- Static changes from thinner skin and volume loss. These look present even at rest.
- Texture and pigment can make the area look tired even without strong wrinkles.
Understanding what causes these changes helps you and your provider choose the right treatment to smooth, brighten, and refresh the eye area.
How Botox Works Around the Eyes
Botox is a purified neuromodulator that relaxes overactive muscles. When the muscle contracts less, the skin above it creases less.
- Crow’s feet Botox: Tiny injections into the outer eye muscle reduce the pull that fans lines outward when you smile.
- Botox under eyes: Very small, carefully placed doses into the lower eyelid muscle can soften fine lines just beneath the lashes. This is delicate work. Lower doses are used to protect eyelid function.
With the right placement and dosing, Botox can smooth the delicate eye area while keeping your natural expression intact.
Results You Can Expect
Botox around the eyes delivers noticeable yet natural improvements when it is tailored to your unique anatomy and goals.
- Crow’s feet Botox: Softer outer-eye lines with a natural smile that does not look frozen.
- Botox for under-eye wrinkles: A smoother under-eye surface in selected patients. Texture and volume issues may still need other treatments.
- Maintenance: Repeat on a schedule that keeps motion lines controlled while preserving natural expression.
With the right plan and regular maintenance, you can keep your eye area smooth and refreshed while preserving natural expression.
Botox Before and After Gallery
Who Is a Good Candidate
You may benefit from botox around eyes if you have:
- Crow’s feet that deepen with smiling.
- Fine, crinkly under-eye wrinkles from movement rather than hollowing or puffiness.
- Healthy eyelid tone and no active eye surface problems.
- Realistic goals. Botox smooths lines. It does not correct dark circles, bags, or loose skin.
If you have hollows, bags, or texture changes, your provider may suggest combining Botox with fillers, laser or light therapy, microneedling, or skincare.
What Treatment Feels Like
Knowing what to expect during Botox treatment around the eyes can help you feel comfortable and prepared for each step.
- Assessment. You smile and squint so your injector maps how the muscles move.
- Precise micro-injections. A few small pinches. Icing or numbing can be used.
- Back to your day. Avoid rubbing the area or lying flat for several hours. Skip heavy workouts until the next day.
Timeline: Subtle smoothing in 3 to 7 days. Best look at 10 to 14 days. Most people repeat treatment every 3 to 4 months.
Safety and Side Effects
Botox around the eyes is generally well tolerated in expert hands. Possible effects include brief redness or bruising.
Rarely, product can spread and cause temporary eyelid droop or a dry eye sensation. Under-eye dosing is conservative to avoid puffiness or a hollow look.
Botox Under Eyes vs Other Options
Botox is just one way to refresh the eye area, and it works best when compared with other treatments to find what fits your needs.
- Fillers: Replace missing volume for hollows.
- Laser and light therapy: Improve texture and fine lines.
- Skincare: Gentle retinoids. Peptides. Brightening agents.
- Often the best result comes from Botox plus a targeted partner treatment based on your anatomy.
At Balikian Plastic Surgery, our team may recommend combining Botox with fillers, laser treatments, or advanced skincare to help you achieve smoother, brighter eyes and results that last.
What the Science Says…
Here is what recent clinical research shows about Botox around eyes, including crow’s feet Botox and Botox under eyes.
- Crow’s feet Botox is well studied. Multiple randomized, placebo-controlled trials show that Botox softens lines at the outer corners of the eyes. Benefits rise with careful dosing and typically last about three to four months.
- Botox under eyes can help fine crinkles in the right patient. Small studies of lower-eyelid injections report smoother under-eye wrinkles with very low doses. Because the area is delicate, experts recommend conservative dosing and precise placement. This use is off-label.
- Results build in slowly and then peak. Most people notice early smoothing in 3 to 7 days. Peak results are seen around two weeks. Many maintain results with treatments every three to four months.
- Safety is good in expert hands, but technique matters. Reported side effects around the eyes include temporary eyelid droop, brief double vision, or mild eye-surface irritation. These events are uncommon and are linked to dose and diffusion, which is why precise technique is important.
- Combination plans often look best. Studies and clinical experience support pairing crow’s feet Botox with fillers for hollows or lasers for texture to refresh the full eye area. This addresses movement lines, volume, and skin quality together.
Bottom line. For botox around eyes, the strongest evidence is for crows feet botox. Botox under eyes can soften fine lines in carefully selected patients using very small doses. A personalized plan protects eyelid function and keeps expressions natural.
Smoother Eyes Begin Here
FAQs About Botox Around the Eyes
What is crow’s feet Botox and how does it work?
Crow’s feet Botox targets the outer eye muscles that create fine lines when you smile or squint. Tiny injections relax these muscles so the skin moves less and looks smoother without changing your natural expression.
Is Botox under eyes the same as crow’s feet Botox?
Not exactly. Botox under eyes is placed in the lower eyelid area using very small doses to soften fine creases beneath the lashes. Crow’s feet Botox treats the outer corners of the eyes. The under-eye area is more delicate and needs careful, customized dosing.
Can Botox for under eye wrinkles fix dark circles or eye bags?
No. Botox for under eye wrinkles only smooths lines caused by muscle movement. Dark circles and bags come from pigment, skin thinning, or fat changes and usually need fillers, laser, or other treatments.
How long does Botox around the eyes last?
Results from botox around eyes usually appear within 3 to 7 days, peak at about 2 weeks, and last around 3 to 4 months. Many people schedule regular touch-ups to maintain smoother skin year-round.
Will Botox around the eyes make me look frozen?
No. When placed correctly, crow’s feet Botox and Botox under eyes simply soften lines while preserving natural movement. You will still be able to smile and show emotion.
Is Botox under the eyes safe?
Yes, when done by an experienced injector who understands eyelid anatomy. The under-eye area is sensitive, so your provider will use low doses and check eyelid tone and dryness risk to keep results safe and natural.
Can I combine crow’s feet Botox with fillers or laser?
Yes. Crow’s feet Botox works well with fillers to add volume under the eyes and with lasers to improve texture and tone. Combining treatments often gives the most complete rejuvenation.
Who is a good candidate for Botox around the eyes?
People with fine lines from smiling, squinting, or blinking usually respond best. Good eyelid support and healthy eye surfaces make treatment safer. Botox will not correct hollows, loose skin, or severe under-eye bags, but it can be part of a plan with other options.
Discover More About Our Procedures and Treatments
Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery: Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Tyler Frew, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
