Treating crow’s feet in Wiesbaden — laughter lines around the eyes, without losing the laugh

How crow’s feet develop

Around each eye lies a ring-shaped muscle, the orbicularis oculi. It closes the eyelids, lets us blink and contracts at the sides with every genuine laugh — which is why the eyes “laugh along”. With every contraction, the skin at the outer corner of the eye is compressed in a fan shape. This skin is the thinnest in the face, with little underlying padding and few sebaceous glands. What takes decades elsewhere shows earlier here: the fan-shaped lines that initially appear only when smiling eventually remain visible at rest as well.

This is accelerated by sun. UV light breaks down collagen and elastic fibres, and the eye area in particular is often skipped when applying cream. Add frequent squinting against bright light — anyone who goes without sunglasses trains the muscle further. Smoking, dry skin and lack of sleep do the rest, as does a family predisposition to thin skin. Crow's feet are therefore usually a mix of expression and skin quality — and precisely this distinction determines which treatment suits you.

What botulinum toxin can do around the eyes — and what it cannot

Botulinum toxin relaxes the outer portion of the ring muscle around the eye. The skin is compressed less when you smile, the fan-shaped lines become flatter, and the eye area looks smoother and more awake at rest. This works particularly well for dynamic crow's feet — that is, lines that come and go with movement.

Botulinum toxin has no effect on what does not originate from the muscle: fine crepey lines that show even when the face is completely relaxed, sun-related dryness lines and skin that has become thinner overall. Here it helps to improve the skin quality itself — for example with a skin booster that brings moisture into the thin skin around the eyes, or with gentle fractional laser skin renewal, the MOXI laser, which renews the uppermost layer of skin and addresses fine lines and texture. In many cases, the combination of muscle relaxation and skin treatment is the most honest answer, and that is exactly what we tell you in the consultation. An overview of all methods can be found on our page on wrinkle treatment in Wiesbaden.

Your smile stays natural

The most common concern before treating the eye area: “Will I no longer look like I'm laughing?” The answer depends on dosage and placement. Only the outer, lateral portion of the ring muscle is treated — with small amounts at two to four points per side, at a safe distance from the lid margin. Eyelid closure, blinking and the way your eyes join in when you laugh all remain intact. What changes is the depth of the fan-shaped lines, not your expression. Our benchmark is that people who know you well find you look more rested without being able to say why. With a very broad smile that strongly lifts the cheeks, we also take care not to place the lower points too low, so that the smile keeps its fullness. We follow the same principle on the forehead, where the balance of the muscles is even more delicate — read more under Treating forehead lines.

How the treatment works

Effect, duration and repetition

Many people notice the first changes after a few days; after about two weeks the effect is complete. It then usually lasts three to six months — around the eyes tending towards the shorter end, because the orbicularis muscle is in constant use and is treated with small amounts. After that, the body breaks the active substance down completely. How often you repeat is up to you; many choose two to three appointments a year and combine the eye area with the frown lines or the forehead, which can be treated in the same appointment. A fixed rhythm is not necessary; you come when the lines bother you again. You can read all the essentials about the treatment under Botox in Wiesbaden.

Risks and side effects

The eye area is well supplied with blood and the skin is thin — small bruises are somewhat more common here than on the forehead and can usually be covered with make-up. Also possible are redness, mild swelling or a feeling of pressure at the injection sites, and occasionally a headache. Rarely, the active ingredient affects neighbouring muscles: the cheek may then temporarily move less when smiling, or the lower eyelid may appear slightly slacker; in very rare cases, a dry eye or a slightly drooping eyelid occurs. All of this resolves as the active ingredient wears off. Through restrained dosing and sufficient distance from the eyelid margin, we keep the risk small. We may not treat during pregnancy and breastfeeding, in the case of acute inflammation in the eye area, or with certain neuromuscular conditions. We discuss all of these points with you in the preliminary medical consultation.

Price

Treatment of crow's feet starts at €220, including 19% VAT and a check-up appointment, billed according to the German medical fee schedule (GOÄ). If further areas are treated in the same appointment, the amount depends on scope and quantity — you receive a clear overview in advance with no hidden costs.

Related pages

• Botox in Wiesbaden — overview
• Wrinkle treatment in Wiesbaden
• Treating forehead lines
• Baby Botox — restrained dosing
• Masseter Botox for teeth grinding
• Botox for excessive sweating
• Botox for Mainz
• Botox for Frankfurt
• Guide: Preventive Botox — from what age?
• Guide: forehead Botox without heavy brows
• Guide: How long does Botox last?
• Guide: How much does Botox cost?
• Aftercare after Botox

Read more in the guide

• How long does Botox last?
• Botox side effects and risks
• What does Botox cost in Wiesbaden? Prices and GOÄ explained

Frequently asked questions