Botox for crow’s feet in New Braunfels, TX is one of the most requested aesthetic treatments at Elect Dermatology — and for good reason. The lateral canthal lines that fan out from the outer eye corners are among the first dynamic wrinkles to develop and among the most reliably responsive to botulinum toxin treatment. When injected precisely by a board-certified dermatologist, Botox softens these lines while preserving the full range of natural expression that makes you look like yourself.
What Are Crow’s Feet and Why Do They Form?
Crow’s feet are dynamic wrinkles — lines created by muscle movement, not volume loss or skin laxity. The orbicularis oculi muscle encircles the eye and contracts with every smile, squint, and expression. Over years of use, these contractions etch increasingly permanent creases into the thin, oil-gland-sparse periocular skin.
It’s important to understand the distinction:
- Dynamic wrinkles (present during expression) → Botox is the primary treatment
- Static wrinkles (present at rest even without expression) → may additionally benefit from filler, chemical peels, or RF microneedling
Most crow’s feet start as dynamic lines and become static over time. Botox treats the dynamic component; very deep static lines may warrant combination approaches discussed during consultation.
How Botox Works for Crow’s Feet
Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) blocks acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction, temporarily reducing the orbicularis oculi’s contraction force. Relaxing this muscle prevents the skin from folding into crow’s feet during expression, allowing existing lines to smooth and preventing new lines from deepening. OnabotulinumtoxinA is FDA-approved for moderate-to-severe lateral canthal lines. In the two phase 3 trials behind that approval (1,362 patients), responder rates were significantly higher with onabotulinumtoxinA than with placebo at day 30, and eyelid swelling (about 1%) was the only adverse event reported in at least 1% of treated patients, according to a published review of the pivotal studies.
The Procedure at Elect Dermatology
Your Botox appointment begins with a consultation where Dr. Hockley or Dr. Stahr evaluates your crow’s feet, assesses whether lines are predominantly dynamic or static, and discusses your aesthetic goals. Topical anesthetic is applied, then small-gauge injections are placed into the lateral orbicularis oculi, typically at 3 points per side. The procedure takes 10–15 minutes with no downtime.
Dosing: What’s Typical and Why It Matters
Precise dosing is what separates natural-looking results from the overcorrected “frozen” appearance patients want to avoid. For crow’s feet, the dose studied in the pivotal trials was 24 units total — 12 units per side, divided across 3 injection sites in the lateral orbicularis oculi. In practice, your dermatologist adjusts that amount to your muscle strength and line pattern. (For what that means for your bill, see how much Botox costs in New Braunfels.) Underdosing produces minimal improvement; overdosing the lateral orbicularis can cause smile asymmetry, cheek heaviness, or lower eyelid laxity — risks that experienced injectors avoid through careful assessment of muscle strength and injection placement.
Results Timeline and Duration
Botox onset begins at 3–7 days; maximum effect is typically reached at 2 weeks. Plan your appointment at least 2–3 weeks before any important event. Results last approximately 3–4 months, after which the muscle gradually regains normal contraction. Many patients find that with repeated treatments over time, intervals between sessions can lengthen as the muscle adapts. More detail is in how long Botox lasts.
Combination Treatments
For patients with significant static crow’s feet at rest, combining Botox with a small amount of hyaluronic acid filler in the lateral canthal area addresses both components. Chemical peels and RF microneedling with Vivace improve skin texture and stimulate collagen, complementing Botox’s muscle-relaxing effect for comprehensive periocular rejuvenation.
Safety, Side Effects, and Contraindications
When performed by a trained, board-certified dermatologist using FDA-approved product, Botox is extremely safe. Common and transient effects include mild bruising, swelling, and redness at injection sites that resolve within hours to days. Avoiding aspirin, NSAIDs, and alcohol for 24 hours before treatment may reduce bruising risk, though this is optional.
Contraindications include pregnancy or breastfeeding, active skin infection at the treatment site, and neuromuscular disorders (myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, ALS) that may increase sensitivity to botulinum toxin. Always share your full medical history and medication list before treatment. The American Academy of Dermatology also warns against getting botulinum toxin injections in non-medical settings such as spas, salons, parties, or someone’s home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I look frozen or unnatural? Not when dosing is customized. The goal is a softened crow’s feet — not elimination of all lateral eye movement. You should still be able to squint and smile normally; lines simply won’t etch as deeply.
How soon before an event should I get Botox? Schedule at least 2–3 weeks before any important event. This ensures full results are visible and any minor bruising has resolved.
Can Botox prevent crow’s feet from getting worse? Yes. Consistent Botox treatments reduce the repetitive folding that deepens dynamic lines over time. Many patients in their 30s use Botox preventively to slow crow’s feet progression — see preventive Botox: what age to start.
References
- Carruthers A, Bruce S, Cox SE, Kane MA, Lee E, Gallagher CJ. OnabotulinumtoxinA for treatment of moderate to severe crow’s feet lines: a review. Aesthet Surg J. 2016;36(5):591–7. PubMed
- American Academy of Dermatology. Botulinum toxin therapy: FAQs. AAD.org
- Carruthers A, Carruthers J. Botulinum toxin type A: history and current cosmetic use in the upper face. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2001;20(2):71–84. PubMed
Ready to soften crow’s feet while keeping natural, expressive eyes? The board-certified dermatologists at Elect Dermatology in New Braunfels customize Botox dosing for results that look refreshed — never frozen. Most appointments take less than 15 minutes with no downtime. Call (833) 353-2875 to schedule your consultation at 2154 Gabriels Pl, Ste 103, New Braunfels, TX 78130.
Reviewed by Dr. Hockley
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