From what age can crow’s feet be treated?

What matters is not age but the individual findings. Many patients come from their mid-thirties, when laughter lines remain visible at rest. Treatment is only possible after a medical consultation and for adults.

Can I still smile naturally after treatment?

Yes. We dose so that the lines soften while your smile keeps its warmth. A light crinkle when you laugh heartily is desirable and looks natural.

How long does crow’s feet treatment last?

Usually three to six months. Muscle activity then gradually returns, but the lines do not become deeper than before treatment.

Do eye creams help against crow’s feet?

Skin care products can hydrate the skin and briefly soften the finest dryness lines. Expression-related crow’s feet, however, are caused by muscle pull and cannot be changed significantly by creams.

Is treatment so close to the eye dangerous?

With correct technique and a sufficient distance from the eye socket rim, treatment is well tolerated. Rare side effects such as dry eye or weaker eyelid closure are usually temporary. We inform you in detail beforehand.

Wrinkle Treatment · 8 min read

Crow’s feet treatment: gently softening laughter lines around the eyes

Crow’s feet are the fine lines that fan out from the outer corner of the eye when you laugh. They belong to a lively face – but when they stay visible at rest, the eyes can quickly look tired. Crow’s feet can be gently softened with a physician-performed, muscle-relaxing wrinkle treatment, without your smile losing its warmth. Because the eye area is particularly delicate, this requires precise anatomical knowledge. Here we explain what is possible, how treatment works at Esthetikon in the Lux Augenzentrum and where the limits lie.

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Close-up of the outer corner of a smiling woman’s eye with natural crow’s feet, fine skin texture and a hazel iris

In short: what helps against crow’s feet?

For crow’s feet that mainly appear when you smile, the most reliable option is a medical wrinkle treatment that gently relaxes the outer part of the ring muscle around the eye. The lines soften while your smile remains. Daily sun protection and sunglasses slow the development of new lines. Fine crêpey lines in the thin skin directly below the eye, by contrast, respond less well to muscle relaxation – honest advice matters here.

Dynamic laughter lines: muscle-relaxing wrinkle treatment
Prevention: UV protection, sunglasses, good skin care, not smoking
Shadows or hollows under the eye: a different cause and a different treatment

Why do crow’s feet develop?

The eyes are surrounded by a ring-shaped muscle, the orbicularis oculi. It closes the eyelids, protects the eye and contracts with every genuine smile. The skin at the side of the eye is thin with little fat beneath it, which is why the first expression lines often appear here – in some people as early as their late twenties.

Sun, glare and skin ageing

UV radiation breaks down collagen and elastic fibres. Anyone who often squints into the sun – during sport, in the mountains or by the lake – activates the muscle even more. The American Academy of Dermatology therefore recommends daily broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and UV-protective sunglasses as the simplest measures against premature skin ageing.

Crow’s feet, tear trough or hooded lids?

Not every change around the eyes is a crow’s foot. Shadows under the eyes usually result from volume loss in the tear trough. Excess upper eyelid skin or pronounced eye bags cannot be corrected with wrinkle treatment. A careful examination clarifies what is most relevant for you.

How we treat crow’s feet at our practice

Esthetikon is located inside the Lux Augenzentrum at Thurgauerstrasse 105 in Glattpark (Opfikon). Treatment of the eye area is performed exclusively by physicians – with particular attention to safety around the eye.

Physician examining the skin at the outer eye area of a blonde patient with an illuminated magnifying lamp before crow’s feet treatment — Before treatment we carefully assess skin quality, muscle activity and eyelid position.

Assessment before treatment

We look at the eye area at rest, when smiling and when squeezing the eyes shut. We note the extent of the lines, the position of the eyebrows, the tone of the lower eyelid and any asymmetry. Together we discuss how much relaxation you would like.

The treatment itself

On each side, usually two to three small amounts of the active substance are placed superficially into the outer part of the ring muscle with a very fine needle – keeping a safe distance from the bony rim of the eye socket. Treatment takes about 10 minutes. It is often combined with frown lines treatment or the forehead so that the upper face looks balanced.

Results and how long they last

You will notice first changes after three to five days and the full result after about two weeks. The laughter lines are then noticeably softer; with a hearty laugh, a light, natural crinkle often remains – and that is intentional.

Results usually last three to six months. Muscle activity then gradually returns. At the free follow-up after 2 to 3 weeks we check symmetry and make fine adjustments if needed.

Risks around the eyes

Crow’s feet treatment is considered well tolerated. Because the eye is so close, precise technique is essential.

Common: small bruises – the skin around the eye has a rich blood supply
Occasional: a temporarily altered smile line or cheek movement when smiling
Rare: temporary dry eye, weaker eyelid closure or double vision – usually resolves within weeks
Not treated: pregnancy, breastfeeding, acute infections or inflammation of the eye, certain neuromuscular disorders

Prevention: protecting the skin around your eyes

Treatment lasts longest when the skin is well protected. The most important measures are simple and well supported by evidence.

Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, including in winter and in the mountains
Sunglasses with UV protection to avoid squinting and glare
Moisturising care for the thin skin around the eyes, without irritating products
Not smoking and getting enough sleep

Laughing blonde woman applying sunscreen near her eye on a terrace by Lake Zurich, sunglasses pushed up in her hair — Daily sun protection – also in everyday Swiss life – slows the formation of new lines.

Cost of crow’s feet treatment in Zurich

At Esthetikon in the Lux Augenzentrum, crow’s feet treatment starts at CHF 350. Combined with frown lines or the forehead, packages start at CHF 650 for two zones and CHF 850 for three zones. The consultation is free and the follow-up is included. All prices are listed on our page wrinkle treatment in Zurich (in German).

Frequently asked questions

From what age can crow’s feet be treated?: What matters is not age but the individual findings. Many patients come from their mid-thirties, when laughter lines remain visible at rest. Treatment is only possible after a medical consultation and for adults.
Can I still smile naturally after treatment?: Yes. We dose so that the lines soften while your smile keeps its warmth. A light crinkle when you laugh heartily is desirable and looks natural.
How long does crow’s feet treatment last?: Usually three to six months. Muscle activity then gradually returns, but the lines do not become deeper than before treatment.
Do eye creams help against crow’s feet?: Skin care products can hydrate the skin and briefly soften the finest dryness lines. Expression-related crow’s feet, however, are caused by muscle pull and cannot be changed significantly by creams.
Is treatment so close to the eye dangerous?: With correct technique and a sufficient distance from the eye socket rim, treatment is well tolerated. Rare side effects such as dry eye or weaker eyelid closure are usually temporary. We inform you in detail beforehand.

Consultation at Esthetikon in Zurich

This article does not replace a medical consultation. In a personal appointment at Thurgauerstrasse 105, 8152 Glattpark (Opfikon), we assess your situation and discuss whether – and which – treatment makes sense for you. The consultation is free.

Book a consultation Wrinkle treatment prices (DE)

Sources and further reading

External medical sources for background information. They do not replace a personal consultation.