Crow's FeetCrow's Feet

Crow's feet, medically known as lateral canthal lines or periorbital wrinkles, are fine lines and wrinkles that radiate from the outer corners of the eyes. They develop primarily through repeated contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle during smiling, squinting, and other facial expressions. Because the delicate skin around the eyes is thinner than skin elsewhere on the face and has fewer oil glands, it is particularly susceptible to wrinkling from expression, sun exposure, and aging.

3 min read · Last updated: 2026-02-08 · Reviewed by Dr. Julia Tzu , MD, FAAD, FACMS

• Crow's feet form from repeated contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle during smiling and squinting [2]
• The skin around the eyes is thinner than elsewhere on the face, making it more prone to wrinkling [1]
• Botulinum toxin injections can temporarily relax the muscles that cause crow's feet [3]
• Sun protection with sunglasses and sunscreen may help slow the development of periorbital wrinkles [4]

• Fine lines radiating from outer eye corners
• Lines that fan outward when smiling or squinting
• Creases visible even when face is at rest (in advanced cases)
• Crepey or thin skin texture around eyes
• Deeper folds extending toward temples
• Loss of smooth skin appearance around eye area

• Interest in cosmetic treatment options
• Desire to reduce the appearance of eye wrinkles
• Wanting professional guidance on eye-area products
• Concerns about rapid progression of periorbital aging
• Interest in preventive treatments
• Interest in botulinum toxin treatments

Have questions about crow's feet? Our team is here to help.

• Repeated orbicularis oculi muscle contraction (smiling, squinting)
• Natural thinning of periorbital skin with age
• Cumulative sun exposure and UV damage
• Collagen and elastin degradation
• Loss of subcutaneous fat around eyes
• Reduced moisture retention in delicate eye-area skin

We offer a service to help manage this condition: Botox .

• Crow's feet respond well to botulinum toxin treatment
• Results from neurotoxin injections typically last 3 months around the eyes
• Earlier treatment may help prevent lines from becoming deeply etched
• Combination of treatments often yields best results
• Consistent sun protection helps slow progression

Triple board-certified cosmetic and surgical dermatologist · Manhattan's Financial District

Trained at Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Penn & NYU

✓ Delicate dosing that preserves a natural smile

The skin around the eyes is thin and delicate, and those muscles shape your smile. With more than 15 years of experience in cosmetic dermatology, Dr. Julia Tzu treats crow's feet with injection plans built around your facial movement, so the lines soften without changing the way you smile.

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1. What are the symptoms of Crow's Feet?
2. When should you seek care for Crow's Feet?
3. What causes Crow's Feet?
4. How are Crow's Feet treated?
5. Prognosis
6. FAQs
7. Sources

This article draws from 5 peer-reviewed sources.

• [5] PMC – Dynamic Periocular Wrinkle Patterns

• [1] Mayo Clinic – Wrinkles Symptoms and Causes
• [2] Cleveland Clinic – Wrinkles & Fine Lines: Types, Causes & Prevention
• [3] Cleveland Clinic – Treatments to Reduce Wrinkles

• [4] AAD – Wrinkle Remedies

Medically reviewed by Dr. Julia Tzu , MD, FAAD, FACMS · Last reviewed: 2026-08-31