Understanding Anti-Wrinkle Treatments for Eye Wrinkles

The eyes are often described as the window to the soul. They are also often one of the first parts of the face to show signs of ageing, conferring a tired or worried look. It’s little wonder, therefore, that there is a lot of interest in treatments that help to reduce signs of ageing around the eyes. 

One of the most common signs of ageing around the eyes is wrinkles at the sides of the eyes, known colloquially as ‘crow feet‘ or more technically as ‘lateral canthal rhytids’. These lines are usually caused by repetitive movement of the underlying orbicularis oculi muscle. Treating these lines using anti-wrinkle injections, which act to reduce the underlying muscle activity, is, therefore, one of the most popular treatments for eye wrinkles. 

What is Anti-Wrinkle Treatment, and How Does it Work?

It is derived from a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. Contrary to popular opinion, you are not being injected with harmful bacteria. Nor are you even being injected with a full toxin – the drug is simply derived from the toxin produced by the bacteria, similar to the way many other types of drugs are manufactured. 

When injected in small doses, the drug blocks the nerve endings from stimulating the muscles to contract – causing the muscle to relax, usually for a few months at a time. 

The Procedure: What to Expect During Anti-wrinkle Treatments

The anti-wrinkle procedure is relatively straightforward. It involves injecting small amounts of diluted drug into targeted facial muscles. In order to achieve the best results, you should make sure you are treated by an experienced doctor who intuitively understands the balance of anatomy, physiology and pharmacology to allow them to tailor the advice and treatment to your own unique circumstances to achieve the best results. 

You can usually start to see the results of the treatment within a few days, although it typically takes up to two weeks to see the full results. 

Preparing for Your anti-wrinkle Session

Before your anti-wrinkle treatment, it’s important that your doctor takes a full medical history, including what medications you take, any allergies you may have and how you have reacted to previous cosmetic procedures. By having a detailed understanding of your background, your doctor can make the most appropriate recommendations to ensure you achieve optimal results. 

Post-Treatment: Recovery and Care

After the treatment, it is quite normal to see some immediate redness and swelling at the injection site. This normally resolves within a few minutes – typically by the time you get back to the car. It is much less common to develop any bruising. If this happens, it can usually be camouflaged with some make-up and will go away like any normal bruise. 

It is quite common to develop a headache following treatment – this can affect up to 1 in 10 patients. If you develop a headache, you can take over-the-counter pain medication like paracetamol (or Tylenol if you are in the US). 

Much less commonly, you can develop drooping of the eyelid or eyebrow. This usually affects around 1 in 3000 patients and is usually associated with the treatment of the frown muscles. If you are only being treated with anti-wrinkle injections around the eyes, then you should be safe from this side effect. 

Addressing Crow’s Feet and Frown Lines

Crow’s feet and frown lines often occur together, along with drooping of the brow and eyelids. It is common to combine the treatment of wrinkles around the eyes with the treatment of frown lines in the same session. By employing this combination approach, it is possible to achieve a subtle brow lift, which many patients benefit from. 

Realistic Expectations and Repeat Treatments

It’s crucial to have realistic expectations about the results of anti-wrinkle treatments. Whilst it is usually possible to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, no one can guarantee that you will necessarily look any younger. Most people find that they look the same, just a little more rested. 

Repeat treatments are necessary to maintain the results. The effects of each session typically last between three to six months.

Choosing the Right Provider for anti-wrinkle around the eyes

The success of any cosmetic treatment largely depends on the skill and experience of the doctor performing the procedure. Make sure you always see an experienced doctor, not just for the technical aspects of performing the procedure – but for the right advice on which treatment is the best one for your needs. Practising medicine involves both art and science, which always improves with experience, so make sure you get the best advice possible for your own circumstances.