Crow’s feet

Crow’s feet Botox temporarily reduces the muscle activity that creates lines at the outer corners of the eyes when you smile or squint. It tends to have the clearest effect on lines caused mainly by facial movement.

If the lines remain visible when your face is relaxed, changes within the skin also contribute. Reducing movement may still soften their appearance, but it cannot guarantee that established lines at rest will disappear.

Botox is one brand of botulinum toxin. Different botulinum toxin products may be used in aesthetic treatment.

This guide focuses specifically on treatment of crow’s feet. For a broader overview of treatment areas, uses and considerations, see Botox treatments.

What are crow’s feet?

Crow’s feet are lines that extend outwards from the outer corners of the eyes. They are also called lateral canthal lines.

They become more visible when the muscle surrounding the eye, particularly the orbicularis oculi, contracts during smiling, laughing or squinting. Repeated movement and changes in the skin over time can make some of these lines visible even when your expression is relaxed.

Crow’s feet are a normal part of facial expression and ageing. Whether you want to have them treated is a personal choice.

How does Botox work on crow’s feet?

Botulinum toxin reduces the activity of selected parts of the muscle around the outer eye. As that muscle contracts less strongly, the overlying skin folds less during smiling or squinting.

The treatment does not fill the lines or add volume. Its effect comes from temporarily reducing muscle movement.

This distinction matters because a movement-related line and a line already established in the skin do not respond in exactly the same way.

For a broader explanation of the mechanism, see how Botox works.

Does Botox work better for crow’s feet when smiling or at rest?

Crow’s feet that become much more visible when you smile or squint are largely influenced by muscle movement. Reducing that movement can make these dynamic lines less pronounced.

Lines that remain clearly visible with a relaxed expression have a static component. Skin elasticity, sun exposure and structural changes within the skin may also contribute, so muscle relaxation alone may not remove them completely.

Many people have a combination of both.

A practitioner therefore needs to assess your eye area while your face is relaxed and while you smile. This helps distinguish the movement being treated from lines already present within the skin.

What can crow’s-feet Botox realistically change?

Botulinum toxin may:

• reduce movement in the treated part of the orbicularis oculi;

• make the skin crease less strongly during smiling;

• temporarily soften movement-related crow’s feet;

• reduce how prominent the lines appear at maximum smile.

It does not:

• replace lost facial volume;

• repair the structure of the skin itself;

• guarantee that lines visible at rest disappear;

• permanently stop crow’s feet from returning;

• guarantee the same degree of change for every person.

The aim of treatment should be discussed during consultation rather than assumed from photographs or another person’s result.

When do you see results from crow’s-feet Botox?

The effect is not immediate. Muscle activity starts to change gradually after treatment, and the appearance of the lines changes as that effect develops.

Some people notice a difference within the first few days. A clearer assessment is usually possible once the treatment has had time to take effect, commonly around 10 to 14 days.

How long does crow’s-feet Botox last?

The visible effect commonly lasts for several months. Around three to four months is a useful general expectation, but the exact duration differs between individuals and treatments.

As the effect wears off, muscle activity gradually returns and movement-related lines can become more noticeable again.

See more about how long Botox lasts.

Can you still smile normally after crow’s-feet Botox?

Crow’s-feet treatment does not automatically mean removing all movement around your eyes. The amount of movement that remains depends on your anatomy, existing muscle activity and the treatment plan.

If maintaining visible movement when you smile is important to you, say so during the consultation. The practitioner can take your priorities into account when discussing what may realistically be achievable.

No specific expression or “natural” result can be guaranteed.

What does crow’s-feet Botox cost in the UK?

Crow’s feet are commonly listed by clinics as a botulinum toxin treatment area or zone. The amount charged can vary between clinics, and the way a clinic defines one treatment area may also differ.

When comparing prices, check what the stated amount actually includes. Relevant questions include whether the price covers both sides, whether consultation is separate and what the clinic’s follow-up policy is.

The Rates block below should be used to display the current pricing information available through Injectablesbooking rather than manually adding a UK price range to this page.

For broader information about pricing structures, see Botox costs.

What are the risks of Botox around the eyes?

Temporary reactions around injection sites can include tenderness, redness, swelling, bruising or minor discomfort.

Because crow’s-feet injections are performed close to the eyes and surrounding facial muscles, unwanted changes in nearby muscle activity can also occur. Depending on the circumstances, this may include asymmetry or an unintended change in eyelid or eyebrow position.

No injectable treatment is risk-free. Contact the treating clinic if you develop an unexpected, significant or worsening problem after treatment.

For a broader explanation rather than a crow’s-feet-specific summary, see Botox complications.

Risks, aftercare and when to seek help

Crow’s-feet Botox before and after

Before-and-after photographs can help you understand the type of visible change that has occurred in another person, but they cannot predict your own outcome.

For crow’s feet, pay particular attention to facial expression. A useful comparison should ideally show the person smiling in a similar way before and after treatment, with comparable lighting, camera angle and timing.

A photograph taken with a relaxed expression should not be compared directly with one taken at maximum smile.

For more guidance on interpreting treatment images, see Botox before and after.

Crow’s-feet Botox reviews

Reviews can provide context about what other clients experienced at a clinic, particularly around consultation quality, communication, pricing information and follow-up.

They cannot establish whether crow’s-feet Botox is appropriate for you and do not prove that you will receive the same result.

When reading reviews, look for specific descriptions of the consultation and treatment experience rather than relying only on the overall rating.

You can also see broader Botox reviews.

What should you compare between clinics for crow’s-feet Botox?

Crow’s-feet treatment involves more than placing injections where lines are visible. The practitioner needs to assess how your muscles move around the eye and how this relates to your brow position, facial symmetry and expression.

When comparing clinics and practitioners, consider:

• whether your face is assessed both at rest and while smiling;

• relevant experience treating the outer eye area;

• whether realistic limitations are discussed;

• whether possible eye-area complications are explained;

• how follow-up is handled;

• what is included in the stated treatment price.

Professional registration and qualifications should also be checked where relevant, but a professional title alone does not tell you how much experience someone has treating this particular area.

Compare clinics for crow’s-feet Botox

Use the clinic results below to see which UK clinics list treatment for crow’s feet.

Compare the available information rather than price alone. Location, practitioner information, treatment details, reviews and follow-up arrangements may all be relevant when deciding where to request a consultation.

Frequently asked questions about crow’s-feet Botox