What crow's feet are
Crow's feet are the fan of fine lines that spread out from the outer corners of the eyes. They appear first when you smile or squint, and over time may stay visible when your face is at rest. Many people actually like a little softness here — smile lines can look warm and natural — so the goal is rarely to remove them entirely. More often it is to stop them looking deep, tired or crepey, especially in photos or under makeup.
Why they form and which layer is involved
The skin around the eyes is among the thinnest on the face, with fewer oil glands and less support beneath it. In our 8-layer Skin Architecture model, crow's feet involve:
- Muscle. The ring-shaped muscle around the eye closes and crinkles the eye each time you smile or squint. That repeated folding is the main driver.
- Upper dermis. Collagen declines by roughly 1% a year from around 20, and UV breaks it down faster. Thin dermis around the eye creases easily and recovers slowly.
- Epidermis. Dryness makes lines look sharper. The eye area dehydrates quickly, especially in air-conditioned rooms and on flights.
Sun exposure without sunglasses (and the squinting that comes with it), rubbing the eyes and frequent smiling all add up. Volume loss in the cheek and temple can also reduce support around the eye, making lines look more pronounced.
How Obliv approaches crow's feet
- Diagnosis first. A director looks at your eye area at rest, while smiling and while squinting, and Mark-Vu imaging records wrinkles and skin quality. This shows how much is movement and how much is skin thinning.
- Softening movement. Crow's feet Botox relaxes the part of the muscle that creates the lines. Doses are kept measured so your smile still reaches your eyes.
- Strengthening the skin. Skin boosters and Rejuran support hydration and the regenerative environment of thin skin, which can help with fine, crepey lines that Botox does not fully address.
- Support around the eye. Where hollowing in the temple or under the eye makes lines more noticeable, your doctor may discuss temple filler or other volume options.
- Barrier care. We reinforce the barrier with ceramides and hyaluronic acid so the delicate skin stays comfortable and hydrated.
What to expect
Botox for crow's feet usually starts working within 3–7 days, reaches its peak at about 2 weeks and lasts around 4–6 months. On the day, avoid touching or rubbing the area for 4–6 hours, and skip sauna, alcohol and strenuous exercise. Boosters and Rejuran work more gradually over a short series, and their effect on skin quality builds with each session. Small injection marks or slight swelling may appear briefly. Results vary from person to person, and your doctor will discuss how much softening looks natural for your face.
Caring for your skin between visits
- Wear sunglasses and SPF50+ to reduce squinting and UV damage.
- Pat rather than rub when applying eye products or removing makeup.
- Use the pH-5.5-matched home care we prescribe and keep the eye area moisturised, especially when flying.
Visiting from abroad
Crow's feet treatment fits easily into a short trip because downtime is usually minimal. Book early in your stay so Botox has time to settle before you leave. Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and any previous treatments, and we will help you plan.
Before an event or a photo-heavy trip
Many people think about crow's feet ahead of a wedding, a holiday or an important photo. Timing makes a real difference:
- Botox: allow at least two weeks before the event, as it takes about that long to reach its peak and gives time for any small adjustment.
- Boosters and Rejuran: start a few weeks ahead so injection marks have faded and skin quality has had time to build.
- Avoid trying something new at the last minute. The days just before an event are not the time for a first treatment.
For broader planning, see our pre-event glow page.
At a glance
- Layers: Muscle, upper dermis, epidermis
- Main tools: Crow's feet Botox, skin boosters, Rejuran
- Botox works: 3–7 days, peaks ~2 weeks
- Botox lasts: Around 4–6 months
- Downtime: Usually minimal
- Must-have: SPF50+ and sunglasses
Questions about crow's feet
Will Botox change my smile?
The aim is to soften the lines while keeping a natural smile. Your doctor watches how your eyes move when you smile and keeps the dose measured. If you prefer a lighter result, say so at consultation.
My crow's feet are crepey even when I'm not smiling. What helps?
Lines at rest often reflect thin, dehydrated skin rather than only movement. Skin boosters, Rejuran and barrier care can help improve skin quality, sometimes alongside Botox.
How long do results last?
Botox typically lasts around 4–6 months. Skin-quality treatments build over a short series and are usually maintained with periodic top-ups. Results vary from person to person.
Is there any downtime?
Usually very little. You may have small injection marks or slight swelling briefly. On the day, avoid rubbing the area and skip sauna, alcohol and strenuous exercise.
Talk to us about crow's feet
Message us on WhatsApp in English. Obliv Clinic Seoul Origin, Pagoda Tower, 93 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu — about 5 minutes on foot from Jonggak and Euljiro 1-ga stations, close to Myeongdong.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Suitability, number of sessions and results vary from person to person and are decided with a doctor at consultation.
