Treating crow's feet

Crow's feet are the small lines at the outer corners of the eyes that become particularly visible when smiling and squinting. A wrinkle relaxer softens them, making your gaze look more open and fresh. The treatment is non-surgical, takes only a few minutes, and requires minimal recovery time. Below, you can read how the treatment works, who it is suitable for, the procedure, safety aspects, and what you can expect.



Table of contents

  1. What are crow's feet?
  2. How do crow's feet develop?
  3. Dynamic and static lines: the difference
  4. How does a wrinkle relaxer work for crow's feet?
  5. Who is it suitable for (and when is it not)?
  6. How does the treatment proceed?
  7. Recovery and aftercare
  8. Result: when visible and for how long?
  9. Safety and the choice of a doctor
  10. Possible side effects
  11. Price
  12. Why Cosmopolitan Clinic?
  13. Frequently Asked Questions

What are crow's feet?

Crow's feet are small wrinkles or folds on the sides of the eyes. Over time, these deepen due to straining the eyes, frowning, or smiling. They are often also called laugh lines because the eye muscles are constantly tensed when laughing. With a wrinkle relaxer treatment, the crow's feet become softer and the eye also takes on a more open look.


Anatomically, crow's feet form around the orbicularis oculi muscle of the eye, the ring-shaped muscle that closes the eyelid. With every squint or smile, the skin at the outer corner of the eye folds together. Initially, these folds disappear as soon as you relax the muscle, but over the years they remain visible even at rest.

How do crow's feet develop?

Crow's feet rarely have a single cause. Usually, multiple factors work together:

  • Repeated muscle movement: laughing, squinting, and squinting fold the skin at the corner of the eye together each time.
  • Skin aging: with age, the production of collagen and elastin decreases, causing the skin to become thinner and less resilient.
  • Sun and UV radiation: UV damage accelerates skin aging and makes fine lines visible sooner.
  • Lifestyle: smoking and low hydration can exacerbate the condition.



Dynamic and static lines: the difference

With crow's feet, we distinguish between dynamic and static lines, and this difference determines which treatment is most suitable. Dynamic lines are only visible when you tense the eye muscle, for example when laughing or squinting; a wrinkle relaxer works excellently in this case. Static lines are also visible at rest, because the skin has become thinner and less elastic over the years. For deep static lines, a wrinkle relaxer provides softening, but sometimes additional skin improvement is necessary for the best results. During the consultation, the doctor assesses your specific situation and what will be most effective in your case.



How does a wrinkle relaxer work for crow's feet?

A wrinkle relaxer works with botulinum toxin, a substance that temporarily inhibits the signal from the nerve to the orbicularis muscle around the eye. Because the muscle relaxes, the skin contracts less when laughing or squinting, and the lines fade. This gives the eye a more open, rested look. The goal is always a natural result: a more refined appearance without losing your own facial expressions.


The treatment is precisely applied to the correct muscle points in small amounts, so that the muscles that open and close your eyelids continue to function normally. Our doctors can advise you on the treatment of crow's feet and the associated expectations.

Who is it suitable for (and when is it not)?

A wrinkle relaxer for crow's feet is suitable if dynamic lines at the outer corners of the eyes bother you and you desire a finer, more open look. The treatment works both preventively for early lines and for more clearly visible laugh lines.

The treatment is less or not suitable for:

  • pregnancy or breastfeeding;
  • certain muscle or nerve disorders, such as myasthenia gravis;
  • an active infection, inflammation, or skin condition on the treatment area;
  • a known allergy to botulinum toxin;
  • The use of blood thinners or certain medication: always report this in advance.

The doctor always discusses this with you first, so that you receive honest advice about what will yield the best result in your situation.



How does the treatment proceed?

The treatment begins with a consultation during which the doctor discusses your wishes and assesses your facial expressions around the eyes. Next, the area is cleaned, and the doctor uses a thin needle to make a few small punctures on either side of the outer corners of the eyes. Anesthesia is usually not necessary, as the discomfort is very limited. The entire treatment takes about ten minutes, after which you can immediately continue with your day.

Recovery and aftercare

The recovery time is minimal. For the best results, we recommend the following:

  • Stay upright for the first four hours and do not lie flat;
  • Do not rub or massage the treated area for the first few hours;
  • avoid intensive exercise, sauna, and tanning beds that day;
  • Be careful with make-up on the treatment area on the day itself.


Result: when visible and for how long?

The effect of a wrinkle relaxer takes hold gradually. You will usually see the first signs of smoothing after a few days, and the full result is visible after about two weeks. The result lasts an average of three to four months. After that, muscle movement slowly returns and the treatment can be repeated. With regular treatment, the muscle often becomes more relaxed, causing the result to last longer in some people.



Safety and the choice of a doctor

A wrinkle relaxer is a medical treatment, and particularly around the eye, precision and knowledge of the muscles are crucial. If the product is not applied in the correct location or dosage, it can temporarily produce an undesirable effect, such as a slightly drooping eyelid. Therefore, this is not a treatment for a beauty salon, but work for an experienced, qualified physician. At Cosmopolitan Clinic, wrinkle relaxers are therefore always administered by physicians following a personal consultation.

Possible side effects


Most people experience few to no side effects. Possible, usually temporary reactions include a small bruise, redness or slight swelling at the injection site, and sometimes a headache. Rare and always temporary is a slightly drooping eyelid or eyebrow or minor asymmetry; this corrects itself as soon as the effect wears off. Serious complications are rare when the treatment is performed by an experienced physician.

Price

A wrinkle relaxer treatment for crow's feet at Cosmopolitan Clinic starts from €160. The final price depends on the amount of product required and will be discussed with you in advance, so you will never be faced with any surprises.

Why Cosmopolitan Clinic?

At Cosmopolitan Clinic in Amsterdam, wrinkle relaxers are performed by experienced doctors who focus on a natural result. We always start with an honest consultation: is a wrinkle relaxer suitable for your situation, or would additional skin improvement be wiser? This way, you make a choice based on realistic advice. Would you like to know if a treatment for crow's feet is right for you? Schedule a no-obligation consultation or view our other treatments around the eyes, such as eyelid correction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a crow's feet treatment hurt?

The treatment is well tolerated. You will feel a few small pricks with a thin needle; anesthesia is usually not necessary. The discomfort is brief and mild.

How quickly will I see results?

You will usually see the first signs of softening after a few days, and the full result after about two weeks.

How long does the result last?

On average three to four months. After that, the treatment can be repeated; with regular treatment, the result sometimes lasts longer.

Will my smile still look natural afterwards?

Yes. The goal is a natural result where the lines become softer, without losing your own facial expressions. The dosage is adjusted accordingly.

Can I go back to work as usual after the treatment?

Yes, you can immediately continue with your day. Just keep the aftercare advice in mind for the first few hours, such as staying upright and not rubbing.

Does it also help with deep lines that are always visible?

A wrinkle relaxer also softens static lines, but for deep lines, additional skin improvement is sometimes necessary for the best results. The doctor will advise you on this.

How much does a crow's feet treatment cost?

At Cosmopolitan Clinic starting from €160. The exact price depends on the required amount of product and will be discussed with you in advance.