Crow’s feet are honest. They show you laugh, squint in bright light, and spend time outdoors. They also tend to settle earlier than forehead lines or the glabellar “11s,” because the skin at the outer corner of the eyes is thin and in constant motion. Botox can soften those radiating lines without freezing your smile, but only if the dose and placement fit your face. The right number of units depends on your muscle strength, anatomy, and how natural you want the result to look.
I have treated thousands of eyes over the years. The range is fairly consistent, yet the art lives in small adjustments that account for how you express yourself. Below, I break down typical dosing, what moves the needle up or down, what results to expect, and how to think about cost, longevity, and safety.
The basic range: typical Botox dosing for crow’s feet
Most adults do well with 6 to 12 units per side for crow’s feet, or 12 to 24 units total. That aligns with the on‑label recommendations for Botox Cosmetic when treating the lateral canthus. Lighter dosing, sometimes called “baby Botox,” might be 4 to 6 units per side for a subtle softening rather than a full smoothing. Heavier dosing, 14 to 16 units per side, is rarely necessary and increases the chance of unnatural smiles or diffusion into unwanted areas.
What I look at first is muscle strength. If you can form deep radiating lines even without smiling, your orbicularis oculi muscle likely needs more support. If you only see faint creases when you grin hard for a photo, a conservative dose will usually suffice.
It is also common to combine the outer‑eye treatment with a touch to the tail of the brow or the zygomatic cutaneous bands if they contribute to the etched pattern. Those tiny add‑ons, 1 to 2 units per point, can round out the result without feeling heavy.
Why units are not one size fits all
Units are a pharmacologic measure, not a universal “strength.” One brand’s unit is not interchangeable with another’s. Botox Cosmetic, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, and Daxxify are all botulinum toxin type A, but they have different unit scales. When I say 10 units per side for crow’s feet, I mean 10 units of onabotulinumtoxinA, the original Botox Cosmetic. If we use Dysport for the same area, the numeric unit count rises because its units are calibrated differently. The effect, when dosed properly, matches.
Within Botox Cosmetic, variation still matters. People with thicker skin and larger facial muscles, often men, may need a slightly higher dose. Those with thinner skin or more lateral fat pad volume might look over‑treated with a standard dose if we do not adjust placement. Frequent exercisers sometimes metabolize the neurotoxin faster and may want a touch more up front or accept a shorter duration between touch‑ups.
Anatomy also varies from left to right. Many patients have asymmetrical smiles, or one eye that squints more than the other. I commonly dose one side by 1 to 2 units more to balance the smile lines in motion. That small tweak makes the before and after photos feel harmonious, rather than “smooth but different.”
How I map the injection points safely
Crow’s feet treatment focuses on the lateral orbicularis oculi, the circular muscle around the eye. We avoid injecting too close to the eye rim, and we respect anatomic danger zones to prevent diffusion that might cause eyelid heaviness or a flat smile. I usually place 3 to 4 microdeposits per side, fanning them along the lateral orbital rim and slightly superior and inferior to the densest crease area. The goal is to dampen the strongest vectors of pull without stopping the natural crinkling at the very outer edge that signals warmth and expression.
If a patient’s smile lifts the cheek strongly and bunches tissue under the eye, I avoid chasing every line. Over‑relaxing the lateral fibers can sometimes let the mid‑cheek dominate, which looks odd. The antidote is thoughtful restraint and, in select cases, complementing Botox with a tiny amount of hyaluronic acid filler to support etched lines that remain at rest. That is not necessary for most people, but it can help if static lines persist despite adequate neuromodulation.
What results look like, and when you see them
Botox results around the eyes start to appear within 3 to 5 days, with peak effect at about 10 to 14 days. I schedule a follow‑up or ask for a smile photo at the two‑week mark to assess symmetry and strength. Subtle top‑offs, 2 to 4 units total, are common in first‑time treatments because we are calibrating your unique response.
Before and after photos tell the story best. At rest, the radiating spokes soften noticeably. In motion, you should still see a hint of crinkle, just without the deep branching lines that catch makeup or cast shadows. The best compliment is, “You look fresh,” not “Did you get Botox?”
If you are used to very expressive smiles, expect a slightly quieter pattern. If that feels wrong to you, ask for a lighter dose next time. That preference is valid. The trade‑off is shorter duration or finer lines reappearing earlier.
How long it lasts for crow’s feet
For crow’s feet, Botox typically lasts 3 to 4 months. Some patients hold results for 5 months, particularly with consistent maintenance over time. New users or very active people sometimes notice the effect softening at the 10 to 12 week mark. That does not mean the treatment failed. The orbicularis oculi is a highly active muscle, and constant smiling and squinting work the antagonist muscles as Botox wears off.
Daxxify, a newer neurotoxin, can last longer in some patients, often 4 to 6 months, but dosing and unit equivalence differ and cost may be higher. If longevity is your top priority, discuss alternate products. If precision and the most established safety profile matter more, Botox Cosmetic remains a solid choice.
Cost and value: how pricing usually works
Pricing varies by region and clinic experience. Most practices price by unit, with Botox ranging roughly from 10 to 20 dollars per unit in the United States. If you need 18 to 24 units for both sides, your botox cost may land between 180 and 480 dollars. Some clinics price by area, which can simplify budgeting but might not reflect your exact unit needs.
There is a temptation to hunt for the lowest botox price. Be cautious. Product authentication, injector skill, sterile technique, and follow‑up support matter more than a small difference in price per unit. Unusually low pricing can signal over‑dilution, counterfeit product, or a rushed botox procedure. I would rather see a patient less frequently with thoughtful dosing than rescue a bargain treatment that flattened their smile or missed the target.
Baby Botox for the outer eyes
Baby botox, also called micro botox or mini botox, uses smaller unit counts spread across more points. For crow’s feet, that might be 3 to 5 units per side divided into faint microdrops. The benefit is a whisper of smoothing with almost no risk of stiffness. It is popular for preventative botox in late twenties to early thirties, where the goal is to prevent lines from etching rather than erase existing grooves.
The trade‑off is shorter botox longevity and sometimes an underwhelming change on deep lines. If your lines are already visible at rest, baby botox may not satisfy you unless paired with skincare, sunscreen, and possibly a light energy treatment or microneedling to thicken the dermis.
Natural outcomes require restraint
The outer eye area tells people you are amused, surprised, or kind. Over‑treating there scrubs away part of your personality. I rarely chase every last line. Instead, I target the central spokes that make you look tired or older than you feel. That approach preserves a natural look, especially when you laugh.
If you want a more lifted look, a subtle botox eyebrow lift can complement crow’s feet work. A few units at the lateral brow depressors can open the eyes by a millimeter or two. Done well, it reads as rested rather than startled. Done poorly, it can create brow heaviness or asymmetry. Again, placement is everything.
What about other upper face areas?
Many patients treat the upper face as a set: forehead lines, glabellar 11 lines, and crow’s feet. Coordinating them helps maintain balance. For example, if you paralyze frown lines without addressing the crow’s feet, the outer eyes can look busier in comparison. On the flip side, treating only the outer eyes can accent forehead lines as you recruit the frontalis to express.
As a rough idea, forehead lines often need 6 to 12 units, glabellar frown lines 12 to 20 units, and crow’s feet 12 to 24 units total. These are starting points, not promises. Your anatomy and goals set the final map. What matters is harmony across regions, so your face functions and reads naturally.
Side effects and safety
Common, short‑lived effects include mild redness, swelling, or small pinprick bruises at injection sites. These fade within hours to a few days. A rare side effect around the eyes is eyelid heaviness, usually related to diffusion or anatomical variation. When it occurs, it typically resolves as the botox effects soften, but that can take a couple of weeks. The best prevention is thoughtful dilution, small aliquots, and staying the recommended distance from the orbital rim.
Headaches occasionally follow a first botox treatment and tend to resolve within a day or two. Allergic reactions are very rare. People with neuromuscular disorders, active infections near the injection site, or certain medical conditions should review risks with their prescribing clinician. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, postpone botox aesthetic treatments until cleared by your physician, as there is no definitive safety data for those periods.
Aftercare that protects your result
The neurotoxin needs a short window to bind to nerve endings. For the first 4 to 6 hours, avoid rubbing the area, heavy sweating, hot yoga, or lying face down. Skip facials and eye‑area massages for a couple of days. Gentle exercise is fine after the first day. Makeup can be applied softly once pinpoint bleeding stops. If a small bruise appears, arnica and cold compresses can help.
I also advise sunglasses outdoors to reduce squinting as the medication sets in. Good sun habits are not glamorous, but they are the most powerful botox maintenance tool you have. Daily SPF, hats, and a proper cleanser and moisturizer do more for long‑term skin quality than any injection.
Managing expectations if lines remain
Botox for wrinkles works on lines caused by motion. If a crease is etched at rest because the skin has thinned or the pattern has existed for years, you may still see a faint remnant even after an excellent botox treatment. In those cases, a low‑density hyaluronic acid filler placed superficially, collagen‑stimulating lasers, or microneedling with radiofrequency can improve texture. These are not mandatory. Many patients are delighted with motion‑line softening alone. The decision depends on your tolerance for a faint crease and Soluma Aesthetics your appetite for combination therapy.
First time botox: what to tell your injector
If this is your first time botox around the eyes, bring specific observations. Point out the lines that bother you most. Show how you smile and squint. Mention if you teach fitness, run long distances, or spend long days on screens that make you squint, because these habits affect dosing and botox duration. Share any history of brow heaviness after forehead treatments, migraines treated with botox, or jaw clenching managed with botox for masseter reduction, since those can inform your response.
Photos help. A straight‑on smile shot in daylight and a relaxed face photo set a baseline for botox before and after comparison. Consistent lighting matters more than camera quality.
Touch‑up timing and maintenance cadence
If an asymmetry or under‑treatment is apparent at the two‑week mark, a small botox touch up can fine tune the result. Beyond that window, I prefer to wait until the effect fades rather than stack extra units too late. For maintenance, most patients repeat every 3 to 4 months. If you are using baby botox, expect closer to 2 to 3 months.
Over time, consistent treatments can train the muscle to relax more easily, and some patients maintain with slightly fewer units. Do not force a stretch if your lines return earlier than hoped. It is better to retreat on time than over‑dose in an effort to push longevity.
When Botox is not the right tool
If most of what you see is skin laxity or hollowness rather than true crinkling, botox alone will disappoint. Laxity makes lines fold even when muscles are calm. In that case, skin tightening procedures, targeted filler, or regenerative treatments such as platelet‑rich fibrin may be more appropriate, possibly paired with a conservative botox plan. If your primary concern is under‑eye crepiness, neurotoxin is not a direct fix there, because injecting the lower eyelid risks weakening support. Other modalities offer safer, better outcomes for that zone.
If you have very heavy upper eyelids or a brow that naturally sits low, strong crow’s feet dosing can rarely unmask brow heaviness. I flag this during the botox consultation and tailor the plan, sometimes favoring a lateral brow lift effect with careful injections rather than blanketing the outer eye.
What a complete appointment looks like
A typical visit takes 15 to 25 minutes. After a brief review of your medical history and goals, we clean the skin and map injection points with you smiling and at rest. The injections themselves are quick, with a fine needle and tiny amounts per point. Most patients describe a brief sting. I apply light pressure, and you walk out ready for your day. There is virtually no botox downtime, though I caution against strenuous exercise and face‑down massages for the rest of the day.
I prefer a conservative first pass, especially for first time botox users. You can always add a couple of units at two weeks, but you cannot easily undo an over‑relaxed smile while the botox effects are in full swing.
Comparing Botox with alternatives
All modern neuromodulators soften dynamic lines by blocking acetylcholine signals at the neuromuscular junction. The practical differences feel small in the crow’s feet area when dosing is correct. Botox Cosmetic has the longest track record and wide availability. Dysport often kicks in slightly faster for some patients, which they appreciate before events. Xeomin is a naked molecule without accessory proteins, which some clinicians prefer for specific cases, though clinical outcomes are similar. Jeuveau positions itself as a cosmetic‑only toxin with competitive pricing. Daxxify may last longer, which can be attractive if you want fewer visits, though the dataset is still maturing and the botox price per session is usually higher.
If your goal is smoothing etched lines at rest without addressing muscle pull, hyaluronic acid filler placed very superficially can help, but it must be done cautiously to avoid Tyndall effect or lumpiness in thin skin. Energy devices, including fractional lasers and radiofrequency microneedling, improve texture and support but do not replace botox for motion lines. Often, the best results come from a thoughtful combination plan.
Real‑world expectations and common questions
How many units do I need if I am 28 with faint lines? Often 4 to 6 units per side is enough. You will likely prefer a lighter touch to preserve a lively smile and focus on prevention.
I am 52 with deep lines, even at rest. Will 12 units per side erase them? You will see a clear improvement in motion and some softening at rest. If static lines remain, consider a plan that layers collagen remodeling and, if appropriate, a small amount of filler.
Will people notice? Most notice that you look rested. Those who know you well might comment that your eye makeup sits smoother or that you look less tired on Zoom.
Is there a risk to my vision? When performed correctly, botox around eyes does not affect the eyeball or vision. The injections are superficial and outside the orbital rim. The main risks are temporary bruising or diffusion that could feel like heaviness, not vision changes.
Can I combine crow’s feet treatment with a lip flip or masseter reduction? Yes, many patients address multiple areas in one visit. Your injector will balance total units and ensure placement does not interact negatively. If you are trying botox chin or a botox smile lift for the first time, I prefer a staged approach to observe how each area behaves.
A quick checklist before you book
- Choose an experienced medical injector who treats crow’s feet routinely and shows real before and after photos. Arrive without heavy eye makeup and plan for no intense exercise for the rest of the day. Share your past botox results, what you liked and did not, and any tendency to bruise. Discuss your target look: whisper‑softening, moderate smoothing, or maximum reduction. Schedule a two‑week check‑in, especially if it is your first session or you have an event.
The bottom line on units for crow’s feet
For most adults, the sweet spot is 6 to 12 units per side of Botox Cosmetic. Start toward the lower end if you are expressive and want a subtle result. Lean higher if your lines are strong or you only look smooth when you stretch the skin manually. Fine‑tuning at two weeks is normal, and the next session benefits from what we learn about your response.
Think of botox for crow’s feet as a precision tool. It reduces the mechanical folding that etches lines while you smile and squint. Supported by sunscreen, gentle skincare, and realistic expectations, it delivers a natural, younger look without erasing your personality. That balance is the mark of a good treatment: you feel like yourself, just fresher around the eyes.