Crepey under-eye skin after Botox often happens because relaxing crow's feet muscles makes untreated cheek muscles overcompensate and pull skin differently, creating new wrinkles, or the contrast highlights existing skin laxity, as the delicate under-eye skin is naturally thin and prone to creasing with movement, especially with less supportive muscle action. This is a temporary dynamic effect where the skin bunches up because it's pulled by rising cheeks, but the usual muscle support is reduced, revealing more delicate skin texture.
These exaggerations of wrinkles may be caused by hyperactivity and overcompensation of untreated muscles. With the increasing availability of diverse botulinum toxin for cosmetic purposes, physicians and patients should be aware of this temporary change after therapeutic injections.
Step 1: Use an Eye Serum to Boost Collagen Using a high quality eye treatment is the best thing you can do to make this area act younger. A cream can be too rich and overload the delicate skin, but a serum like the Miracle Eye Complex is absolute perfection.
While BoNT is generally safe, it's important to note that, as with any cosmetic treatment, it can have potential complications. One such rare issue is the droopy eyelid or eyelid ptosis.
Concise Answer: Let the Botox wear off naturally, or consult a professional for corrective treatments like massage or balancing injections. Detailed Answer: Fixing a Botox shelf under the eyes starts with time—waiting for the neurotoxin to lose effect, which can take 8 to 12 weeks.
When you smile the cheeks elevate, but if you over-Botox this point or inject too close up to the eye, what happens is the skin below the eye doesn't move when you smile. And the orbicularis oculi muscle can no longer elevate the cheek normally. It causes what looks like a shelf or ledge when you smile.
5 risks to consider
It is not uncommon for individuals to experience temporary puffy eyes after receiving Botox injections for cosmetic purposes. Puffy eyes can occur as a result of the injection process itself or as a side effect of the Botox treatment, leading to swelling around the eyes.
When too much is used, or injections are too frequent, this can cause facial muscles to get weaker and flatten, resulting in the skin looking more aged or sagging once the botox has worn off.
Dr. Kassouf recommends retinol topical creams to help reduce that crepey look. Retinols help restore skin's elasticity and thicken collagen (which gives our skin its structure), as well as elastin (which gives our skin its stretch).
The skin around your eyes loses about 1% of its collagen each year starting in your 30s, making it more prone to fine lines and wrinkles. Factors like sun exposure (responsible for 80% of premature aging signs), repetitive facial expressions, and lifestyle choices all contribute to these unwanted lines.
Our Top Eye-Tightening Creams
Crepey skin is thin and wrinkly. It needs special nutrients. Vitamins A and C help by making new cells and collagen. Hyaluronic acid keeps the skin moist, making it look better.
Signs of having too much Botox
Botox under the eye works by blocking nerve signals that trigger muscle contractions in the facial muscles of the lower eye area. Everyday expressions can cause dynamic wrinkles in the long run. Botox is injected into specific muscles in the lower eye area in small amounts.
Gen Z is saying "no" or "not yet" to Botox due to a desire for natural beauty, individuality, and healthy aging, rejecting the overdone "Instagram Face," fearing irreversible damage, and prioritizing serious skincare and non-toxic alternatives over the costly, repetitive nature of injectables, despite social media pressure to do them. They're focused on "skinimalism," collagen support, and avoiding the potential for unnatural or frozen looks often seen online, opting for treatments that enhance rather than mask their natural features.
One of the primary reasons for increased under-eye wrinkles post-Botox is muscle compensation. When Botox relaxes the muscles responsible for crow's feet, other nearby muscles might overcompensate, leading to increased movement and wrinkles under the eyes.
Sustained Botox injections have been shown to increase collagen production in the skin. Collagen is responsible for maintaining skin elasticity, and it gradually reduces with age. As collagen production decreases, it can lead to dry skin and wrinkles.
The riskiest areas for Botox involve locations with crucial blood vessels and delicate muscles, primarily the glabella (between eyebrows) due to arteries that can cause blindness if blocked, the forehead/brow area risking eyelid droop (ptosis) or unnatural brow shapes, and the perioral region (mouth area), where poor placement can affect speech, smiles, or cause puckering. The masseter muscle (jaw) and neck (platysmal bands) are also sensitive, potentially causing chewing difficulty or swallowing issues with improper technique, requiring expertise to avoid complications like necrosis or paralysis.
Common Side Effects
Most people only experience mild and temporary side effects after under-eye Botox. These include: Swelling, redness, or tenderness at the injection area. Bruising.
The good news is that this puffiness is temporary and there are some very effective ways to manage and reduce it:
Look out for uneven spots, droopy eyes or brows, swelling, bruises, redness, or unexpectedly weak muscles. These signs might mean the Botox was misplaced or poorly done. If you're having serious issues like difficulty swallowing or breathing after Botox, seek immediate medical help.
The following tips can help you reduce or eliminate bags under your eyes:
We usually place 1 unit a few millimeters below the lower lash line just lateral to the mid pupillary line. This softens muscle contraction, reducing under-eye wrinkles, fine lines, and creasing when smiling. The eyes can appear brighter, more open, and less tired without looking unnatural.
The cosmetic use of Botox is safe even in cases of repeated injections. On the other hand, the long-lasting cosmetic use of botulinum toxin can trigger permanent changes in facial expression, and an expressionless, mask-like face.