Crow’s feet are the fine lines that form at the outer corners of the eyes, becoming more visible when smiling, squinting, or laughing. While often associated with positive expression, these wrinkles can deepen over time and remain visible even when the face is at rest.

At Dr Kynan Aesthetics on the Gold Coast, crow’s feet are treated using doctor-administered neuromodulators such as Botox, with a focus on preserving natural expression while preventing long-term skin creasing.

Why Do We Get Crow’s Feet?

Crow’s feet develop due to repetitive contraction of the muscles around the eyes combined with progressive skin ageing. Contributing factors include:

• Repeated facial expressions (smiling, squinting, sun exposure)

• Thinning of the dermis with age

• Loss of collagen and elastin

• Cumulative ultraviolet (UV) damage

• Genetic predisposition

Initially, these lines are dynamic—appearing only with movement. Over time, repeated folding of the skin leads to static wrinkles, which are visible even at rest.

Muscles Involved in Crow’s Feet

Crow’s feet are caused by contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle, a circular sphincter muscle responsible for eye closure and squinting. The lateral fibres of this muscle are primarily responsible for the radiating lines seen at the outer eye.

Targeted Botox injections reduce excessive contraction of these fibres while maintaining normal blinking and eye function.

Why Early Treatment Matters

Treating crow’s feet before wrinkles become permanently etched into the skin is one of the most effective ways to maintain a smooth, youthful eye area. Early neuromodulator treatment:

• Reduces repetitive skin folding

• Slows progression from dynamic to static wrinkles

• Preserves skin integrity over time

• Maintains a natural smile and eye expression

Once wrinkles become deeply static, Botox alone may no longer be sufficient, and additional treatments may be required.

Benefits of Botox for Crow’s Feet

• Softens fine lines at the outer eye

• Creates a fresher, more rested appearance

• Preserves natural facial movement

• Can subtly improve lower brow support by reducing lateral orbicularis pull

• Prevents long-term wrinkle formation when used consistently

Risks and When Things Go Wrong

When administered by an experienced doctor, Botox for crow’s feet is a safe and well-tolerated procedure. Potential risks include:

• Temporary bruising or swelling

• Mild asymmetry during the settling phase

• Excessive muscle relaxation leading to an unnatural smile

• Lower eyelid laxity if dosing or placement is incorrect

• Dry eye symptoms in susceptible patients

These risks are minimised through detailed anatomical knowledge, conservative dosing, and precise injection technique.

Doctor-Led Botox on the Gold Coast

The periorbital region is one of the most anatomically delicate areas of the face. Treatment requires a thorough understanding of facial musculature, ocular safety, and individual variation. At Dr Kynan Aesthetics, all treatments are performed by a medical doctor, ensuring a high level of safety, precision, and natural-looking results.

If you are considering Botox for crow’s feet on the Gold Coast, a personalised consultation will determine whether treatment is appropriate for your anatomy and goals.

For Injectors: Crow’s Feet (Lateral Canthal Lines) Neuromodulator Technique

Treatment of lateral canthal lines requires precise appreciation of periorbital anatomy, injection depth, and diffusion characteristics of neuromodulators. At DrKynan.com, crow’s feet are treated using a structured three-point injection technique, designed to soften dynamic rhytids while preserving natural smile mechanics and lower lid support.

Relevant Anatomy

Crow’s feet are generated by contraction of the lateral fibres of the orbicularis oculi, a thin, superficial sphincter muscle encircling the orbit. The muscle lies immediately deep to the dermis, particularly laterally, and overlies a complex anatomical region that includes:

• Orbital septum (deep)

• Lateral orbital rim and zygomatic bone

• Facial nerve branches (zygomatic and temporal)

• Inferiorly adjacent smile elevators, including:

• Zygomaticus major and minor

• Levator labii superioris

• Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi (medially)

Misplacement in either depth or inferior extent risks functional complications.

Injection Technique: Three-Point Lateral Canthal Pattern

A three-point superficial injection pattern is utilised, beginning superiorly and progressing inferiorly along the lateral orbital rim.

The most superior point is located at the lateral brow / lateral canthal junction, commonly referred to clinically as the lateral orbital orbicularis oculi insertion zone (often colloquially termed the lateral brow tail region). While not a formal named point, it corresponds to the superior lateral fibres responsible for early canthal line formation.

Subsequent points are placed sequentially inferiorly, following the curvature of the lateral orbital rim, maintaining a safe distance from the zygomaticus muscle complex.

Depth of Injection

Injections are performed very superficially, intramuscular within the belly of the orbicularis oculi:

• The needle should remain dermal–subdermal

• A visible bleb is acceptable and often desirable

• Deep injections should be avoided

Injecting too deeply risks toxin diffusion through the orbital septum, potentially affecting deeper structures and contributing to:

• Lower eyelid laxity

• Exacerbation of tear trough hollowing

• Dry eye symptoms due to altered blink dynamics

Inferior Boundary Considerations

Care must be taken not to inject too inferiorly along the lateral canthus. Extending below the safe orbicularis zone increases the risk of toxin spread into adjacent smile elevator muscles, particularly the zygomaticus complex.

Involvement of these muscles may result in:

• Asymmetric or weakened smile

• Reduced upper lip elevation

• Unnatural facial animation during expression

For this reason, injections should remain confined to the upper lateral orbicularis fibres, avoiding encroachment onto the zygomatic eminence.

Clinical Philosophy

The objective is not complete paralysis, but selective weakening of excessive orbicularis contraction. Proper technique preserves normal eye closure and smile mechanics while effectively softening lateral canthal rhytids.

As with all periorbital neuromodulator treatments, conservative dosing, superficial placement, and respect for anatomical boundaries are paramount to achieving safe, reproducible outcomes.

Crow’s Feet