What Are Crow's Feet?
Crow's feet, medically called lateral canthal lines, are fine lines and wrinkles that fan out from the outer corners of the eyes. They form when the small muscles at the outer eye contract as you smile, laugh or squint.
Crow's feet are a natural part of aging that nearly everyone gets. They aren't painful and don't harm your health, so treatment is optional.
Crow's Feet at a Glance
| Also called | Lateral canthal lines, crow's feet lines, laugh lines |
|---|---|
| Cause | Repeated contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle, plus aging skin and sun damage |
| Where and who | Outer corners of the eyes. Often first noticed in the 30s or 40s, earlier in men. |
| Is it serious? | No. It's a cosmetic concern. |
| Diagnosis | A visual exam of the lines at rest and with a smile |
| Treatment | Botulinum toxin injections, prescription retinoids, chemical peels, laser resurfacing or fillers |
| FDA-approved injections | Botox Cosmetic and Xeomin are labeled for moderate to severe lateral canthal lines in adults |
| Contagious? | No |
What Do Crow's Feet Look Like?
Crow's feet are thin lines branching out from the outer corner of each eye. They appear in two stages:
- Dynamic lines: visible only when the muscles contract, such as when you smile
- Static lines: visible even at rest, after years of repeated movement and skin aging
Dynamic lines respond more dramatically to botulinum toxin than static lines.
What Causes Crow's Feet?
Crow's feet are caused by repeated muscle movement around the eyes combined with skin that loses its ability to spring back. Every squint or smile forms tiny grooves. As skin ages, it becomes drier and less elastic, with less fat and collagen, so the grooves become permanent.
Lines appear sooner or deeper with:
- Sun exposure: UV radiation breaks down collagen and elastin
- Tanning, smoking and pollution: all speed skin aging
- Genetics: your genes largely control when skin changes appear
- Being male: men have more of the enzymes (MMPs) that break down collagen
How Are Crow's Feet Diagnosed?
Crow's feet are diagnosed by looking at the skin around the eyes. A clinician checks the lines at rest and while you smile to see whether they are dynamic, static or both.
How Are Crow's Feet Treated?
Botulinum toxin injections are the treatment of choice for crow's feet, and skin treatments can help static lines.
Botulinum Toxin Injections
Botulinum toxin blocks the nerve signal that tells a muscle to contract. Small doses injected into the outer orbicularis oculi muscle relax it, which smooths the overlying skin. Dermatologists aim to relax only the targeted muscle, so you keep natural expressions. In two phase 3 trials with 1,362 patients, onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox Cosmetic) improved crow's feet significantly more than placebo at day 30. A 2026 American Family Physician review rates this evidence A, its highest level.
- Before: tell your provider about all medicines and supplements, including aspirin and blood thinners, and whether you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
- During: anesthesia usually isn't needed, and brief stinging is common.
- After: most people resume normal activities right away. Don't rub the area, and wait 2 hours before strenuous exercise.
- Results: effects take about 2 weeks to fully develop and last about 3 to 4 months.
Skin Treatments
Options include prescription retinoids, chemical peels, microdermabrasion and laser resurfacing. Deep static lines may need botulinum toxin combined with dermal fillers.
Risks and Side Effects
Side effects are usually mild and temporary: swelling, redness, soreness, bruising and, less often, headache. In Botox Cosmetic trials for crow's feet, the most common was eyelid swelling (1%). Rarely, the toxin weakens a nearby muscle and causes a temporary droopy brow or eyelid. Botox Cosmetic carries an FDA boxed warning that the effects of all botulinum toxin products may spread beyond the injection site. Its label notes no definitive serious reports of distant spread at the labeled dose for crow's feet (24 units).
Injections aren't for people allergic to any botulinum toxin product or with an infection at the injection site. Neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis, keloid scarring, and pregnancy or breastfeeding are also reasons to avoid treatment.
Can You Prevent Crow's Feet?
You can't fully prevent crow's feet, but daily habits slow them. Dermatologists recommend:
- Broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day
- Sunglasses with UV protection and a wide-brimmed hat, which also cut down on squinting
- Not smoking and not tanning
- A daily facial moisturizer
When Should You See a Clinician About Crow's Feet?
See a clinician about crow's feet if the lines bother you or affect your self-esteem. After botulinum toxin injections, get medical care right away if you have trouble breathing, swallowing or speaking.
Crow's Feet vs. Frown Lines and Forehead Lines
Crow's feet differ from frown lines and forehead lines mainly in where they form and which muscle creates them. All three are treated with botulinum toxin.
| Where they form | Muscle involved | Botox Cosmetic label dose | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crow's feet (lateral canthal lines) | Outer corners of the eyes | Orbicularis oculi | 24 units |
| Frown lines (glabellar lines) | Between the eyebrows | Corrugator and procerus | 20 units |
| Forehead lines | Across the forehead | Frontalis | 20 units, given with 20 units for frown lines |
Crow's Feet Evaluation at GENEVA
At GENEVA Primary Care & Med Spa in Alpharetta, GA, a provider evaluates your crow's feet and your medical history, then recommends treatment at GENEVA or a referral to a specialist.
Learn more about Botox in Alpharetta and Xeomin injections. GENEVA serves patients from Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell and Cumming.
Related Terms
Crow's Feet FAQs
What causes crow's feet?
Crow's feet are caused by repeated contraction of the muscle around the eyes when you smile, laugh or squint, combined with natural aging of the skin. With age, skin loses collagen, elastin and fat, so it can't spring back and the grooves become permanent. UV radiation speeds this up by breaking down collagen and elastin, and smoking, tanning and pollution also age skin faster. Daily sunscreen and sunglasses are simple ways to slow crow's feet down.
At what age do crow's feet start?
Crow's feet usually become noticeable in the 30s, although some people don't see them until they are in their 40s. Timing depends on genetics, sun exposure and skin care habits. Men tend to develop crow's feet earlier and deeper than women, possibly because they use sunscreen and sunglasses less, and because they have more enzymes that break down collagen. People who tan or smoke may see lines sooner. Daily sun protection and sunglasses help at any age.
How long does Botox last for crow's feet?
Botox for crow's feet usually lasts about 3 to 4 months, and sometimes longer. The effect takes about 2 weeks to fully develop. As muscle activity returns, the lines come back and you can be treated again, though dosing more often than every 3 months has not been studied. With repeat treatments, the muscle may thin, which can make results last longer. Static lines may need 2 or 3 consecutive treatments.
Is Botox for crow's feet safe?
Botox for crow's feet has a favorable safety profile when a trained medical professional gives it. Botox Cosmetic is FDA-approved for moderate to severe crow's feet in adults, and side effects are usually mild and temporary. In two large clinical trials, eyelid swelling (1%) was the only side effect reported in at least 1% of treated patients, and it was more common than with placebo. Bruising, redness and mild headache can occur, and a droopy eyelid or brow is rare. The American Academy of Dermatology warns against injections given at a non-medical spa, salon, party or home.
Can you get rid of crow's feet without Botox?
Yes, crow's feet can be softened without Botox, especially static lines that show at rest. The American Academy of Dermatology lists moisturizer, prescription retinoids, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing and fillers as wrinkle treatments. Xeomin, another botulinum toxin product, is also FDA-approved for crow's feet. Skin treatments work on the skin, while botulinum toxin works on the muscle movement behind the lines. Deep static lines may need a combination, so ask a clinician which fits you.
Can crow's feet be prevented?
Crow's feet can't be fully prevented, but daily habits can delay them and keep them shallower. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, sunglasses with UV protection to reduce squinting, and a wide-brimmed hat. Not smoking, avoiding tanning and using a daily moisturizer also help. Even if you already have lines, sun protection gives the skin a chance to repair some damage.
Can a primary care provider treat crow's feet?
Yes, a primary care practice that offers aesthetic care can evaluate crow's feet, which are assessed with a simple visual exam. At GENEVA in Alpharetta, a provider checks the lines and your health history, then recommends treatment at GENEVA or a referral to a specialist. Viewing the lines at rest and with a smile shows whether they are dynamic or static, which guides treatment. Mention any neuromuscular disorder, pregnancy, breastfeeding or past cosmetic procedures, because these affect which treatments are safe.