A doctor-performed treatment for concerns related to fine lines at the outer corners of the eyes, commonly known as crow’s feet. M1 Med Beauty offers different treatment approaches depending on the factors contributing to the lines and your individual aesthetic goals.
Following a consultation, an AHPRA-registered medical doctor can assess your concerns and discuss suitable treatment options. All treatments are performed by AHPRA-registered doctors. Free consultations.
Crow’s feet are the fine lines that radiate outward from the outer corners of the eyes. They are one of the earliest and most common signs of ageing in the face, and for most people they appear in their late twenties or early thirties. The name comes from the way the lines fan out like a crow’s splayed toes.
For most people they start as expression lines that only show when smiling or squinting. Over time, as the skin around the eyes thins and loses elasticity, the lines become more set and visible even when the face is completely at rest. Sun exposure, dehydration and genetics all influence how quickly this happens.
Crow’s feet can develop for two different reasons, and the most effective treatment depends on which is driving the lines in your particular case. At M1 Med Beauty, a doctor assesses the eye area at consultation and advises which approach, or which combination, gives the best result for your face.
The lines around the outer eye are partly caused by repeated contraction of the muscle that surrounds the eye. Every smile, squint or laugh engages this muscle and folds the skin in the same place. A doctor-performed treatment that gently relaxes this muscle may help reduce the appearance of these lines over time. This approach is used mainly for dynamic crow’s feet, which are most visible during facial expressions. Results are temporary and vary between individuals. Your doctor will discuss expected duration during your consultation.
As the skin around the eyes thins and loses volume with age, it has less underlying support and fine lines become more pronounced even at rest. A volumising treatment placed carefully in the outer eye area can restore some of that support, hydrate the skin from below and soften the appearance of the lines. This approach works well for crow’s feet that are partly driven by skin thinning and volume loss rather than purely by muscle movement.
For crow’s feet that are caused by both muscle activity and volume loss, which is common as the face ages, a doctor may recommend combining both treatments. The muscle relaxing approach addresses the dynamic lines; the volumising approach addresses the structural support. Your doctor will assess your specific situation at consultation and be direct about what is worth treating and how.
Most patients return to their normal activities the same day. The skin around the eyes can be more prone to mild bruising or swelling than other areas, and some puffiness in the first day or two is possible. Your doctor will go through specific aftercare instructions before you leave.
Individual results vary. The outcomes shown here are specific to this patient and do not necessarily reflect the outcomes other patients may experience. All cosmetic procedures carry risks. Please consult one of our doctors before making any decisions.
Crow's feet are the fine lines that fan outward from the corners of the eyes. They are caused by years of smiling and squinting, combined with the gradual loss of skin elasticity and volume that comes with age. They tend to appear earlier than wrinkles elsewhere on the face because the skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate. Most people have them to some degree by their thirties, and they become more visible at rest as the skin loses support over time.
Two things work together. The first is repeated muscle movement. Every time you smile or squint, the muscle around the eye contracts and the skin folds at the outer corner. Over years, those folds start to set permanently into the skin. The second is the loss of volume and elasticity in the skin around the eyes with age. As the underlying tissue thins, lines that once disappeared with relaxation start to stay visible. Sun exposure and dehydration accelerate both processes.
Different treatment approaches may be considered for the outer eye area depending on the individual characteristics of the skin and underlying structures. One approach focuses on reducing muscle activity around the eyes, which may help soften the appearance of lines linked to facial movement. Another approach is designed to support the skin in this area where changes in skin quality may be present.
The most suitable option depends on individual anatomy, treatment goals and clinical assessment. In some cases, a combination of approaches may be considered. A consultation with a qualified doctor is required to determine which options may be appropriate. Individual results may vary.
