Reducing The Signs of Aging Around The Eyes

The development of radiating lines, or crow's feet, around the eye is a stigmata of facial aging. They are the result of near continual muscle action of the sphincter muscle of the eye, known as the orbicularis oculi.

As wrinkle lines form perpendicular to the action of the encircling muscle around the eye, wrinkles develop and radiate outward in a 'sunray' effect. Elimination or softening of these lines is a frequently requested procedure. While this request is simple, adequately treating crow's feet often requires combination therapy.

Botox remains as the primary treatment method for the crow's feet area. Trying to remove these wrinkles without reducing their muscular action will produce disappointing results. Three injections sites for each side will usually suffice, placing them along the lateral orbital rim from below the eyebrow to the body of the zygoma. I never inject below the zygoma for fear of causing paralysis of the upper lip. Most patient's will have a large vein or two in this area so it is important to avoid these and stay further temporally if necessay, otherwise a nice large bruise will result which will take weeks to go away. A total of 10 to 12 units of Botox per side is usually an adequate dose. For the younger patient without established crow's feet wrinkles, the use of Botox will be completely preventative if treatments are maintained.

The combined use of Botox and laser skin resurfacing will be necessary for established or deep crow's feet lines. The combination of muscle weakening (Botox) and skin resurfacing (laser) can make some real dramatic changes over time. The thinness of the skin around the eyes makes it particularly susceptible to the effects of laser resurfacing. In those patients who have an isolated facial concern about the crow's feet, deep or more extensive facial skin resurfacing is not done. Rather I use a light to moderate depth laser resurfacing so that healing occurs quite quickly, usually within three to five days. Light laser resurfacing can be easily and quickly done in the office with an equally uncumbersome and expeditious recovery. The crow's feet area is pre-treated with Botox during the same visit and then laser resurfaced. To keep the recovery quick, the depth of laser penetration is keep limited. Think about a series of these treatments done twice a year to eventually get the best result.

Botox and light laser resurfacing are the principle methods of treatment for crow's feet. Botox alone is a great treatment for young patients given its prophylactic effects. When laser resurfacing of the crow's feet skin is needed, a good long-term result is only possible if the underlying muscle action is controlled.