Crow’s feet sit like tiny sunbursts at the outer corners of the eyes. Smile lines, or perioral lines, bracket the mouth and deepen with every laugh, sip, and kiss. Both tell stories of expression and time. When those lines start to stick around even at rest, many people turn to botox injections to soften them without erasing what makes the face lively. Done well, botox for wrinkles around the eyes and mouth can look natural, move with your expressions, and age gracefully.
This is a practical guide to balanced treatments for crow’s feet and smile lines, grounded in clinical experience and everyday realities like cost, timing, and what happens between botox appointment and results. You will also see where fillers, skin quality treatments, or lifestyle changes fit in, and where botox alone is not the right tool.
What botox actually does in these areas
Botox cosmetic, along with its peers Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau, temporarily relaxes targeted muscles by blocking the nerve signal that tells them to contract. Crow’s feet come primarily from the orbicularis oculi muscle, a circular muscle that squeezes the eye during smiling, squinting, and laughing. Smile lines are more complicated. The folds that frame the mouth, sometimes called nasolabial folds, are largely caused by volume shifts and skin laxity, not just muscle pull. The fine, crinkly lines that run radially from the lip border are lip lines, and those do involve muscular activity in the orbicularis oris.
Taken together, botox for crow’s feet softens the external fan of lines by dialing down the outer fibers of the eye muscle. Botox for smile lines is more often about those lip lines and small muscles that over-contract around the mouth, or about muscles that tug the corners downward. The fold next to the nose is better addressed with fillers, energy devices, or collagen-stimulating strategies. A balanced treatment means choosing the right target for the right concern, not spraying botox everywhere and hoping for the best.
How much is “just enough”
Dose matters. If you have ever seen someone with frozen eyes or a stiff smile, odds are the units were too high for their muscle mass or pattern of movement. Baby botox and micro botox became popular because many first time botox clients prefer subtle botox with shorter intervals over a heavy result that lasts longer but looks obvious.
Typical ranges I use as a starting point, adjusted after muscle testing and photos:
- Crow’s feet: 6 to 12 units per side, depending on strength of the orbicularis oculi and depth of etched lines. Lip lines: 4 to 8 units total in micro-droplets across the upper lip for those vertical “barcode” lines, sometimes 1 to 2 units at the corners to reduce pursing. DAO (depressor anguli oris) for downturned corners: 2 to 4 units per side to soften the frown pull without affecting speech. Gummy smile correction: 2 to 4 units divided to lift the upper lip slightly when smiling. Bunny lines at the nose: 2 to 6 units across the sides of the nose to keep new lines from forming while you treat the eyes and forehead.
On the forehead and frown complex, which often accompany eye work, the glabella (frown lines) might need 10 to 25 units, and the forehead anywhere from 6 to 14 units. Balanced treatments require looking at the entire upper face so you don’t smooth one area and force other muscles to overwork.
Why balance matters with crow’s feet
Eyes communicate more than any other feature. Over-treat the outer eye, and you may lose the crinkle that signals warmth and joy. Under-treat, and makeup still settles into the lines and photographs will catch every squint. The sweet spot is where the dynamic lines soften during a big smile but your eyes do not look glassy or tight. I often place a small arc of micro-droplets at the temple tail to avoid flattening the lateral brow. If someone wants a touch of a botox brow lift, I redirect a few units along the lateral frontalis rather than pushing hard at the crow’s feet.
This area benefits from good skin quality. Even perfect botox injection technique cannot fill etched lines or crepey skin. Pairing light neuromodulator dosing with skin treatments like microneedling, gentle peels, or energy devices that boost collagen around the eyes gives better botox results without escalating units. For fair, thin skin that bruises easily, spacing the botox session and any energy device by at least a week reduces swelling and bruising.
The smile zone is a system, not a single line
When clients say “smile lines,” they often mean different things. Some point to the folds that run from nose to mouth. Some mean small radiating lip lines, often worse in lipstick. Others point to marionette lines that deepen toward the chin. The treatment map changes accordingly.
Small amounts of botox for lip lines soften overactive pursing. For a gummy smile, a few units placed strategically can lower the upper lip a couple millimeters so gums show less. For downturned corners, light DAO treatment can unhook the tug-of-war between smile elevators and frown depressors. But when the complaint is the nasolabial fold, botox is not the hero. Fillers or biostimulatory products, sometimes combined with cheek support, usually do the heavy lifting. If the jawline shows heaviness, masseter reduction with botox for facial slimming may refine the lower face, which indirectly softens how lines around the mouth read.
The art lies in restraint. Too much botox around the mouth can affect enunciation, straw use, or playing wind instruments. I always test for lip strength and speech patterns before committing to higher doses.
What to expect from consult to results
A good botox consultation starts with movement analysis. I ask clients to squint, grin, whistle, and say phrases that highlight lip movement. I map where lines form during motion and where they remain at rest. I also check brow position, eye openness, and any asymmetry. Photos help us compare botox before and after in a fair way. If previous botox injections are in the picture, I ask about what worked, what felt heavy, and how long the botox effect duration was last time.
The botox procedure steps are straightforward. Makeup comes off, the skin is cleansed, and tiny shots go into precise spots with the smallest needles we can use. Most describe the sensation as brief pinches. Does botox hurt? Mildly, for seconds. I keep ice nearby for those who want it, and I avoid numbing creams around the eyes because they can cause temporary eyelid heaviness if they spread.
After the botox appointment, the timeline is predictable. You may see nothing the first day. Small bumps at injection points settle within an hour or two. Light pinpoint redness and even minor swelling and bruising can appear by the evening. Many people see a hint of change by day two or three. The full effect generally sets in around day 7 to 14. If you have an event, schedule your botox session at least two weeks in advance for the best botox results timeline.
Botox recovery in these areas is minimal. I give concise botox aftercare instructions: no rubbing or massaging the treated zones that day, skip face-down massages and tight headbands, avoid strenuous workouts for 24 hours, and keep alcohol and excessive heat to a minimum that evening. If bruising appears, it is usually small and fades in a few days. Makeup can cover most marks within 24 hours, once any pinpoint spots are sealed.
How long does botox last around eyes and mouth
Most people enjoy results for 3 to 4 months. Athletes with faster metabolisms, very strong muscles, or those who animate vigorously may sit closer to 2 to 3 months. Crow’s feet often last well in the 3 to 4 month range. Lip line treatments can feel like they wear off a bit sooner if you purse often or play instruments, not because the product disappears faster, but because frequent use pushes the muscle to recover.
Botox longevity improves with maintenance. If you repeat on schedule rather than waiting for everything to fully wear off, muscles often require slightly fewer units over time. When to get botox again depends on how you want to look between cycles. Some prefer perfect smoothness and come in every 10 to 12 weeks. Others like a gentle fade and return around 14 to 16 weeks. A light botox touch up at two weeks is reasonable if there is an asymmetry or a small area that did not respond enough, but I avoid chasing every tiny line in the first week while the product is still settling.
Safety, side effects, and realistic boundaries
Is botox safe? In healthy candidates, yes, when performed by trained injectors in a medical setting. Common botox side effects are temporary redness, swelling, pinpoint bruising, a mild headache, or a sensation of heaviness as the muscles relax. For the eye area, the main concern is diffusion into the wrong fibers causing an uneven smile or, rarely, lid heaviness. That risk is minimized with careful placement, conservative doses, and instructing the patient not to rub the area shortly after treatment.
Around the mouth, over-treatment can cause a lisp or difficulty using straws for a few weeks. This is why I prefer to start conservatively for first time botox clients in the perioral region and build on what works. True allergic reactions are rare. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have certain neuromuscular disorders, skip botox and discuss alternatives.
Can botox be reversed? Not directly. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers that can be dissolved, botox wears off naturally. If something looks off, small adjustments can help. For example, if a lateral eyebrow dropped slightly, selective frontalis placement can lift it. If the smile looks restrained, you simply wait and regain function as the botox fades, usually over weeks to a couple months.
Pricing, specials, and how to think about value
Botox cost varies by region, injector experience, and whether the clinic charges per unit or per area. In most US cities, botox price per unit ranges roughly from 10 to 18 dollars. Crow’s feet often require 12 to 24 units total. Lip lines and gummy smile corrections use far fewer units, often between 4 and 10 total. Many clinics run botox deals or botox specials seasonally, and manufacturers sometimes offer rebates through loyalty programs. Offers can make sense, but value rests in precise dosing and safe technique. Cheap botox near me searches can lead to over-diluted product or rushed care. Ask who is injecting, how many units are recommended, and what a touch up policy looks like before committing.
I always suggest a line item estimate in units, not just a blanket area price. It clarifies expectations and helps you compare apples to apples. For combination plans like botox and fillers together, the Ann Arbor, MI botox clinics injector should explain what concerns each product addresses and the order of sessions. A common sequence is botox first, reassess at two weeks, then place filler, so you do not freeze the face into a new pattern after sculpting with filler.
Who benefits most, and where alternatives shine
Botox benefits include smoother dynamic lines when you smile or squint, brighter eyes with less crinkling, and a rested look. If your lines are early, preventative botox can slow etching into the skin. Baby botox in low doses at regular intervals is enough for many in their late twenties to mid-thirties with fine lines. In later decades, botox still helps dynamic movement, but fixed creases require more than muscle relaxation. This is where collagen-building and filler support enter. For coarse texture around the eyes, micro botox placed very superficially can refine pores and oiliness, but that technique needs a steady hand to avoid flattening expression.
Botox alternatives or complements for the smile zone include laser resurfacing, micro-needling with radiofrequency, and high quality at-home skincare that supports collagen, such as retinoids and vitamin C serums. Smokers and those with frequent sun exposure tend to develop deeper lip lines regardless of botox. Addressing habits, using mineral sunscreen, and hydrating the lips daily makes any botox results more meaningful.
Strategy for natural results across the upper face
The forehead, between-the-brows frown lines, and crow’s feet form a functional unit. If you relax the frown lines without balancing the forehead, you may push the frontalis to lift more and create horizontal lines. If you over-treat the forehead lines, the brows can drop and crowd the eyes. The goal is not a frozen forehead, it is a smooth canvas with responsive brows. I ask clients what they value more: a high brow position, a perfectly smooth forehead, or eye openness. The priorities influence dose and placement. Someone who loves a high, expressive brow will accept a little movement in the forehead lines and frown complex. Someone who is camera-facing and wants minimal motion may choose higher dosing but must accept a flatter brow position.
For crow’s feet, I avoid chasing every small line. Instead, I map two or three focused fans where the muscle is strongest, then consider complementary treatments for skin texture. For the smile zone, I remind clients that botox for nasolabial folds is not the right tool. If the request is a smoother, lifted look, we might place subtle filler in the midface, treat marionette shadows, and add very small botox doses to DAOs and lip lines to refine movement.
Special cases worth noting
- Men often need slightly higher units than women because of stronger muscles, especially at the frown complex and crow’s feet. However, in the perioral area, restraint remains key to protect speech patterns. Botox for men should not aim to feminize movement, just reduce harsh creasing. Those with heavy upper eyelids or mild hooding benefit from a cautious approach at the crow’s feet. Over-relaxation can worsen lid heaviness. Selective placement and accepting a hint of outer movement preserves eye openness. Athletes and those who grind their teeth or clench their jaw frequently, including TMJ sufferers, often see faster wear at the eyes because of frequent squinting outdoors. Consider sunglasses that truly block glare. If masseter hypertrophy is present, botox for jaw tension or masseter reduction can refine the lower face and decrease clenching, indirectly improving the way smile lines appear. Rosacea or sensitive skin types may flush more after injections. Cooling, gentle skincare, and spacing energy devices and botox sessions by at least a week reduce the chance of flares.
How to prepare for botox and avoid common pitfalls
Two days before your session, ease off fish oil, high dose vitamin E, ginkgo, and alcohol if possible, to reduce bruising. If you are prone to cold sores and we plan lip line work, ask about prophylactic antiviral medication. Arrive without heavy makeup around the eyes and mouth so we can assess movement clearly and cleanse thoroughly.
After treatment, what not to do after botox is simple. Skip strenuous workouts and hot yoga for a day, avoid rubbing or pressing hard on the treated zones, and hold off on facials, saunas, and face-down massage for at least 24 hours. Sleep on your back if you can that first night. If a small bruise appears, cold compresses the first day and a dab of arnica can help. If you see unexpected asymmetry after one week, message your provider. Many small issues are easily managed with a touch up at the two-week mark.
The two-week check and reading the results
By botox after one week, you should see clear softening. By botox after two weeks, the result is stable. We evaluate eyebrow position, crow’s feet at full smile, and lip function. Natural looking botox does not erase every etched line, especially at rest. It softens movement and prevents further engraving. The best botox results are the ones friends describe as “rested” or “fresh,” not “Did you get work done?”
If the effect feels too strong, it will dial back gradually as the weeks pass. If it feels too subtle, we can add units now or plan a slightly higher dose next cycle. I document exact dosing and placement so we can repeat what you loved and avoid what you did not. Tracking a botox timeline with photos helps both of us make better decisions.
When botox is not the answer
Deep, static etched lines at the outer eye or vertical creases in the upper lip will not vanish with botox alone. They need structural support and skin renewal. If skin looks crepey, consider a series of light resurfacing treatments. If the midface is flat and the fold deep, filler in the cheek and nasolabial zone helps more than increasing botox units. If the problem is volume deflation at the lips, a delicate lip filler does more than additional botox that risks speech change. When someone asks for botox for a double chin, that is a mismatch as well, since fat reduction and skin tightening methods are better suited there.
Long-term use and maintaining a natural look
Botox long term use can be safe and sustainable. I have clients on a maintenance rhythm for a decade with no functional issues. The key is dosing to effect, not to a fixed number on a chart. Skip sessions when life gets busy without fear. You will simply regain movement and then start again. If finances are tight, prioritize areas where movement bothers you most and let less noticeable zones rest. If timing is tight around events, the best time to get botox is two to three weeks before photos or big presentations.
If you ever feel your result veering toward “botox gone wrong,” usually it is a matter of placement or dose, not the product. How to fix bad botox starts with a candid review of what was injected and where. A skilled injector can sometimes counterbalance heavy zones by activating opposing muscles or strategically placing small amounts in adjacent areas. Otherwise, time corrects it.
Choosing the right injector
Skill varies. Ask to see botox before and after photos of crow’s feet and smile line work specifically, not just forehead lines. A good injector should discuss botox risks and set realistic expectations. They should explain why botox vs fillers makes sense for your concerns and when botox and fillers together might be the better plan. If you feel rushed, or if every concern is offered the same solution, keep looking. The face is not a template.
I also look for clean technique, clear dosing language, and a calm approach to asymmetry. We all smile differently on each side. The best injectors embrace that and sculpt within it.
A practical, balanced plan you can follow
- Start with a light, tailored dose at the crow’s feet, often 8 to 10 units per side for first timers, and micro-dosing for lip lines if needed. Reassess at two weeks, adjust small asymmetries, and note how the smile feels. Layer skin quality treatments between cycles to address etched lines and texture around the eyes and mouth. Maintain every 12 to 16 weeks, adjusting for seasons, activity, and budget. Revisit the overall face balance once a year, deciding whether to add or subtract elements like DAO softening, bunny line touch ups, or a small cheek filler to support smile lines.
Crow’s feet and smile lines do not need to disappear to look good. They need to harmonize with your face. With thoughtful dosing, respect for expression, and a broader view that includes skin and structure, botox becomes a precision tool rather than a blunt instrument. The result is not a mask, it is you on a good day, more often.