Botox Under Eyes

When is Botox Used Under the Eyes?

When eye wrinkles are mentioned, people immediately think of the fine lines that appear at the outer corners of the eyes which we also know as 'laughter lines' or 'crow's feet'. However, it's also quite common to get lines below the eye caused by the contracting of the orbicularis oculi muscle when laughing or smiling. Cheek muscles are strong and as excess skin is pushed upwards during a smile, lines form under the eye. When you stop smiling the lines tend to disappear but if, over time, they remain to the point of being aesthetically displeasing, a small amount of botox could help to eliminate them as well as small bags that can also form below the eye.

What Does Under-eye Botox Involve?

When considering botox for under eye wrinkles the first thing is to seek out a dermatologist or plastic surgeon with a lot of experience and skill in administering botox in this specific area. Although botox injections aren't painful, a numbing cream may be used in this sensitive area for more comfort. It may take about 30 minutes to take affect after applying. A small amount of botox, as prescribed by the practitioner, will be injected into the hyperkinetic areas of the muscles in the lower lids. These are the parts of the muscles responsible for the under eye movement that are causing the lines. This should have the effect of smoothing the under-eye area and reduce the appearance of small bags. The degree of success will differ from one person to another and sometimes a better result is gained by treating the crow's feet at the same time.

The Pros and Cons of Using Botox Under Eyes

As this is a very sensitive area with delicate skin tissue, some bruising may occur. There are no guarantees that the result will be more than minimal but as such a small amount of botox is used, for some it will be worth trying to see if it does provide any benefit. If the botox is administered by someone who does not have the skills and expertise necessary, they may overdo the dose or inject into the wrong area. If the wrong area is relaxed it could interfere with your ability to smile, speak and eat. Other muscle related problems could occur like the forceful shutting of the eyelids.

The Cost of Botox Under Eyes Treatment

Prices vary from one clinic to the other and are also affected by the amount of botox units required and number of areas to be injected. You can expect to pay around £200 to £500 and there may be extra costs for applying the anaesthetic cream. Whatever the cost, botox under-eye injections should only be administered by a reputable clinic where it's possible to check credentials and references of previous patients.