Can You Get Botox For Under Eye Wrinkles?
Botox can be injected under the eyes
Using Botox under and around the eyes can be very effective in helping to smooth out the wrinkles in this area. However, you should only have this procedure done with a physician who is very comfortable and familiar with the technique.
Though it is possible that the crinkles are from your cheeks pushing up, it is likely that it also has to do with the orbicularis oculi – the muscle around your eye. It is this muscle that Botox can be injected into to help your wrinkles. (Jeffrey Ellis, MD, Long Island Dermatologic Surgeon)
Usually one half of the regular dosage (1.25 Units) is used below the eyes to help with the infraorbital wrinkles. It is injected just under the thin skin of the lower eyelid. (Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)
Our practice does not generally use Botox directly underneath the eyes. You can have severe drooping of your lower eyelid if not done exactly right. You can, however, treat the crows feet area effectively and safely.
We recommend our patients use the Obagi Nu-Derm system and laser resurfacing for non-invasive treatment options of wrinkles under the eyes. (Juan A. Brou, MD, Oklahoma City Plastic Surgeon)
Botox can he used under the eye (with great caution)
Small doses of botox in the lower eyelid can reduce the wrinkles in that area nicely and smooth the lower eyelid. Botox works by selectively weakening the muscle in that area. The concern with injecting the lower eyelid is weakening the eyelid so much it causes a droopy eyelid.
I have never seen that happen as I do use a low dose (1-2 U). The most common side effect I see is difficulty with squinting or slight dry eye the first week after the injection.
My patients have been really happy with the lower eyelid results (for those stubborn wrinkles no eye cream seems to help with) but it is a more advanced technique. (Myriam Loyo, MD, Portland Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Botox Injections under the Eye
I inject Botox under the eye all the time in my practice. Many of my patients really like this injection site. It helps to reduce lower eyelid wrinkles and helps to make the eye appear more open and rounder.
I use about 1-2 units per side. The injection must be very precise and superficial in this delicate area. I inject several millimeters below the lash line. There is a risk of bruising here and I am very careful to avoid any visible veins.
It is somewhat surprising but injecting the lower eyelids does not seem to be painful for my patients. I would recommend that you see an experienced injector who can determine if you would be a good candidate for this injection. (Richard Ort, MD, Lone Tree Dermatologic Surgeon)
We don’t think Botox is the right product for under eye wrinkles however you can try a chemical peel for improvement. (Jhonny Salomon, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)
Changes in the lower eyelid can make patients look much older than they really are. In most cases this involves the development of loose lower eyelid skin and prominent fat pads. When this situation arises dermal fillers and surgery are usually necessary to correct the problem.
Rarely patients develop significant wrinkling of the lower eyelid skin because of hyperactivity of the orbicularis occuli muscles. When this situation arises the use of botox may be appropriate. Under these circumstances botox can relax the orbicularis occuli muscles and improve fine lower eyelid wrinkles, which ultimately gives a more rested appearance.
It’s important to realize that this procedure requires a high level of technical expertise.
When not done correctly the lower eyelid can lose muscular support and develop eyelid sag. For this reason patients require careful evaluation before proceeding with lower lid botox treatments.
It’s important to consult a physician with experience treating the lower eyelid. This physician should be able to formulate an appropriate treatment plan that addresses your concerns. (Richard J. Bruneteau, MD, Omaha Plastic Surgeon)
Botox under the eye for specific conditions only
There are some very specific cases where botox under the eye can be beneficial, but you should trust your doctor’s advice here. When the problem is hyperactivity of the muscle directly under the eyelashes, very low dose botox can be helpful.
Usually it is used for the muscles lateral to the eye, the “crow’s feet”. Wrinkles in the under eye area are more likely to be caused by the skin being pushed up into the area with smiling.
Since the cheek skin is thicker than the eyelid skin, you see the wrinkles there even though that is not where the muscle activity is. Perhaps a more aggressive skin resurfacing procedure would be helpful, or a blepharoplasty to remove some skin. (Richard Baxter, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)
Botox for Wrinkles Under the Eye
This is a great question, and as you can see, somewhat controversial. For crow’s feet that extend underneath the eye into the midface region, a well-placed and small dose of Botox can be helpful. This is typically 2 – 3 units maximum.
In my practice, I perform this for patients who need it — but you have to make sure that what you’re seeing is a dynamic line (i.e., muscle activity) rather than a hollow or devolumized area (i.e., tear trough).
The latter would require fillers, generally Restylane. As a rule of thumb, with Botox injections around the eye, I try not to inject more medial than the lateral limbus (the part of the eye where the white part meets the iris, toward the outside of eye, when you’re looking forward). (Evan Ransom, MD, FACS, Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Botox for Fine Lines
I often inject small amounts of Botox in the lower eyelids for treatment of blepharospasm, a medical condition.
It can work well for these types of lines but if there are many fine lines in the lower eyelid, dermabrasion or laser skin resurfacing would work better. (Mahsa Sohrab, MD, New Haven Oculoplastic Surgeon)
Botox Under the Eyes for Wrinkles
Small amounts of Botox typically 1-3 units right under the midline of the lower lid helps certain patients with the wrinkles under the eyes.
If the patient has large fat pads under the eyes, they are generally not good canidates since the muscle under the eyes holds the fat pads in.
If you relax that muscle, you will get rid of the wrinkles but the patients tend to look more tired since their fat pad then bulge out more. Botox injections under the eyes also last a short time, around 2 months since using more units looks more abnormal.
It is best to go to an experienced injector for this area and around the mouth. (Grace Liu, MD, Newport Beach Dermatologic Surgeon)
Botox for lower eyelid creases.
A very small amount of Botox can be helpful in smoothing out some of the wrinkles of the lower eyelid. However, the risk of having troubles with eyelid closure, blinking and other complications is not low.
Because of these risks, I generally do not inject the lower eyelid and advise most patients to avoid this. (Brian Harmych, MD, Cleveland Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Yes, Botox under the eye can be helpful but in small amounts
In addition to the crow’s feet, the inferior orbicularis muscle can be injected with 1-2 units of botox to soften the lines and open up the eye. (Burke Robinson, MD, FACS, Atlanta Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Yes, Botox can be injected to soften up lines underneath the eye. Small doses in the range of 1-2 Units are injected in to the area. (Praven Chetty, MD, Kelowna Physician)
I don’t recommend Botox under the eyes
I don’t recommend Botox under the eyes. When Botox is injected mid line under the eyes you are risking the lower lid becoming too relaxed causing your eyes to become dry and problems with closing your eyes.
Botox can be injected in the crows feet which will help some with under eye wrinkles but for the texture of the skin, I would recommend a Carbon Dioxide Laser such as Deka Dot Laser to help firm up that area. (David Stoker, MD, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)
BOTOX® may not be the best solution.
BOTOX® works by temporarily paralyzing the muscles responsible for the repeated movements that lead to dynamic wrinkles. However, what you’re describing sounds more like wrinkles that result from the cheek muscles pushing upwards. A direct BOTOX® injection under the eyes isn’t likely to have the effect you hope for in that case.
You may consider scheduling a consultation for lower eyelid surgery, to see if excess skin and tissue under the eye is causing the problem. Fillers are another possible option, although it’s very important to find an experienced injector because the skin is so thin around the eyes.
The right surgeon can develop an individualized treatment plan that should help. (Joseph J. Castellano, MD, Tampa General Surgeon)
Botox can be injected on wrinkles under the eye
I use Botox for fine wrinkles under the eyes, but you have to be careful – too much can cause problems. Too much Botox can cause the obicularis muscle to relax too much. This in turn can cause bulging and bags if you have an attenuated orbital septum (the layer that holds the fat under the eye in place).
I’m not sure which Fraxel machine your doctor used, but many patients complained to me that the Fraxel just didn’t work. I like to use erbium laser resurfacing to tighten the loose skin under the eyes. (Daniel Reichner, MD, Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon)