Key takeaways
- Crow's feet come from two things: the muscle that closes your eyes, and the thin skin around them.
- Movement lines respond to anti-wrinkle injections; resting lines need skin-quality treatment as well.
- Results from injections usually last about three months, then the muscle gradually recovers.
- The goal is a softer smile, not a frozen one. Some lines are expected and natural.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen reduce squinting and sun damage, which drive these lines.
Why do crow's feet form?
People often say, "I only got these after I started smiling more at my kids." Partly true.
See, what happens is, there is a circular muscle around each eye. Every time you smile, laugh or squint into the Mumbai sun, it contracts and folds the skin at the outer corner. When you are young, the skin springs back. Over years, as collagen thins and sun damage builds, the folds stay. The skin around the eyes is thin, so it shows this early.
There are two kinds of crow's feet, and that is very important to understand: - Dynamic lines, which appear only when you smile or squint. - Static lines, which are there even when your face is relaxed.
Most people have some of both. The treatment depends on the mix.
What can I do at home?
- Sunglasses that block ultraviolet light. They reduce both squinting and sun damage.
- Sunscreen applied close to, but not into, the eyes. If your usual sunscreen stings the eyes, ask us about a gentler formula.
- A retinoid at night, used carefully. Start on the outer cheek and move closer to the eye only if your skin tolerates it. Retinoids have trial evidence for fine wrinkles (see retinoids for anti-ageing).
- Moisturiser. Mayo Clinic notes moisturisers temporarily plump skin and make fine lines less visible.
These will not remove crow's feet, but they slow the skin part of the story.
How do anti-wrinkle injections work for crow's feet?
Anti-wrinkle injections use small doses of botulinum toxin to relax specific muscles. Mayo Clinic lists crow's feet among the lines where they work best.
What to expect:
| What usually happens | |
|---|---|
| Procedure | A few small injections at the outer eye area, a few minutes |
| When it starts working | Over a few days; Mayo Clinic notes it can take up to about a week |
| How long it lasts | About three months on average (ASDS), then gradually wears off |
| Common side effects | Soreness, mild bruising, headache (ASDS) |
| Less common | Temporary weakness of nearby muscles, a drooping eyelid (ASDS, Mayo Clinic) |
The ASDS advises not rubbing the treated area afterwards, as it could spread the product.
Will I look frozen?
Not if it is done with restraint. The dose is the skill. I aim to soften the lines, not erase every crease when you laugh. A smile without any crinkle around the eyes looks odd. Basically, you should look like yourself on a well-rested day.
A clinical review of male aesthetics in the PMFA Journal makes the same point I make to patients: toxin softens movement lines around the eyes but has limited effect on established lines that are already etched in.
What about lines that are there at rest?
For static lines, the skin itself needs work. Options include: - Laser treatments. DermNet notes that sun-related lines around the eyes and lips respond particularly well to laser resurfacing. In Indian skin, I use careful settings because of pigment risk. See laser treatments for fine lines and texture. - Chemical peels, in suitable skin, done carefully near the eye. - Skin boosters, sometimes, for crepey skin. Evidence is limited.
Often the most natural result comes from a combination over time: a small dose of injection for movement, plus a skin treatment for texture, plus daily protection. I would rather build that slowly, one step and one review at a time, than do everything in one sitting and guess which part helped.
Is there anything I should avoid?
- Fillers directly into crow's feet are usually not my choice. The skin is thin and lumps can show. The US FDA lists "around the eyes" among areas where fillers are not FDA-approved.
- Treatment just before a big event, unless you have had it before. Give it two weeks to settle.
- Unqualified injectors or unknown products. Anti-wrinkle injections are a medical treatment.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding. I do not give these injections then.
How do I plan for crow's feet over the years?
I ask people where they want to be in five years. For most, it is "the same face, a little fresher." So the plan is usually small: 1. Protect: sunglasses, sunscreen, a retinoid. 2. Restore: a conservative dose of injection if movement lines bother you, and a skin treatment if lines are set in. 3. Maintain: repeat when you notice the lines returning, which for many people is two to four times a year. Some people choose to space it out more.
Crow's feet often come with lines on the forehead and between the brows. If those bother you too, read forehead lines and why some faces look overdone.
How we approach this at Dr Tvacha
At a face assessment within the Long Game Anti-ageing Plan, I watch your face at rest and when you smile, to judge how much is movement and how much is skin. If injections suit you, the product and dose are written down before treatment, and the fee is quoted. If sunscreen and a retinoid are enough for now, that is what I will suggest.
Frequently asked questions
At what age do crow's feet usually appear?
Many people notice fine lines when smiling in their late 20s or 30s. They usually become visible at rest later, depending on genetics, sun exposure and smoking. People who squint a lot outdoors may get them earlier. Starting sunglasses, sunscreen and a retinoid early slows the skin changes, though it does not stop the lines completely.
How long do anti-wrinkle injections for crow's feet last?
On average, about three months, according to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Some people find the effect lasts a little longer, others less. The muscle gradually recovers and the lines return to how they were, not worse. Many people repeat treatment when they notice movement returning, and some choose to space treatments further apart.
Can crow's feet be removed without injections?
Yes, to a degree. Lasers, peels and a retinoid can improve fine lines and texture around the eyes, especially lines visible at rest. Sunglasses and sunscreen reduce further damage. These approaches do not stop the muscle movement that creates smile lines, so movement lines usually remain. Many people are happy with softer lines rather than none.
Will anti-wrinkle injections for crow's feet affect my smile?
They should not change your smile when the dose is right. The aim is to soften the crinkle at the outer eye, while your mouth and cheeks move normally. Too much product, or product placed poorly, can affect the upper cheek or eyelid temporarily. That is why I start conservatively and review at about two weeks.
Are crow's feet a sign of sun damage?
Partly. Repeated smiling and squinting create the folds, but sun damage thins the skin and breaks down collagen, so the folds stay. That is why outdoor workers and people who skip sunglasses often get deeper lines. Daily sunscreen and sunglasses are worth starting at any age, because they protect against further damage.
Written by
Dr Amit KarkhanisAesthetic Physician · MBBS, Dip. Dermatology (UK) · Reg. No. 2001/02/1124Founder of Dr Tvacha, practising in Thane since 2005. Leads the weight loss and hair programmes.
Sources
- Wrinkles: diagnosis and treatment (Mayo Clinic)
- Neuromodulators (American Society for Dermatologic Surgery)
- Laser resurfacing (Mayo Clinic)
- Laser resurfacing (DermNet)
- Male aesthetic treatments: a review (PMFA Journal)
This article is for general education and does not replace a consultation. Medicines and treatments are prescribed only after a doctor's assessment. Last reviewed 25 October 2026.