What is the first treatment tried for crow's feet?

Crow’s feet are fine lines at the outer corners of the eyes, also called lateral canthal lines. They may appear more strongly when a person smiles or squints and may become visible at rest over time. Botulinum toxin temporarily reduces activity in selected muscles, so the skin is folded less forcefully during expression. It does not replace a skin examination or address every cause of texture change.

A qualified medical practitioner should assess the pattern of movement, eyelid area, skin texture, and your goals before treatment. Botulinum toxin is placed in carefully chosen sites near the outer eye; dosing and placement require individual judgement. Sun protection and regular moisturising can support the skin, while a fractional laser treatment may be discussed when surface texture or lines at rest are the main concern. Do not massage or alter the treated area unless given specific aftercare instructions.

Seek prompt medical advice after an injection if you develop new vision changes, marked eyelid drooping, severe swelling, increasing redness, or unusual weakness. Before treatment, disclose pregnancy, breastfeeding, neuromuscular conditions, eye disorders, previous eyelid procedures, and medicines that affect bleeding. A sudden one-sided facial change should be assessed rather than treated as an ordinary cosmetic line.

Ask whether your lines are mainly caused by muscle movement or skin texture, which treatment is intended to address them, and what temporary effects may occur. Ask when a review is appropriate and whether your eye history changes the plan.