Crow’s Feet
Crow's feet are one of the first signs of aging that people tend to notice, and thankfully, they’re one of the easiest to do something about.
The lines that fan out from the outer corners of the eyes develop from a lifetime of squinting, smiling, and sun exposure, and they deepen as collagen declines and the skin around the eyes thins with age. The right treatment depends on whether the lines are dynamic, static, or both. Most patients have a combination, which means the best results come from addressing both the muscle movement driving the lines and the skin quality changes that have made them permanent. At Element Dermatology in Sartell, MN, we treat crow's feet with a tailored approach that keeps your expression natural.
About This Condition
Dynamic Lines, Static Lines, and Why the Difference Matters
Crow's feet don't exist in isolation. They're part of the overall picture of your eye area, which includes skin texture, sun damage, fine lines on the upper and lower lids, and, in some cases, mild sagging along the outer brow.
But where crow’s feet are concerned, not all lines are created equal, and being able to treat them properly starts with understanding the difference between the two types.
The two types of crow's feet:
Dynamic Crow’s Feet
Lines that appear when you smile or squint and disappear when your face is at rest. Caused by the repeated contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle around the eye. Neuromodulators (Botox or Daxxify) are the most effective treatment, relaxing the muscle reduces the fold that creates the line with each expression.
Static Crow’s Feet
Lines that are visible even when your face is at rest, etched into the skin from years of repeated movement, combined with collagen loss and sun damage. Neuromodulators help prevent them from deepening further, but addressing what's already there requires collagen-stimulating treatments like Halo, Moxi, or SkinPen.
Most patients in their forties and beyond have both types. The dynamic lines that appeared in their thirties have gradually become static as collagen declined and the skin lost its ability to spring back after each expression. A treatment plan that only addresses muscle movement (neuromodulators alone) will soften new lines but won't meaningfully improve the ones already etched. And a plan that only addresses skin quality won't prevent the dynamic component from re-etching lines over time.
Targeted Treatments
How We Treat Crow’s Feet
Botox and Neuromodulators
Botox and Daxxify are the most direct treatments for dynamic crow's feet, relaxing the orbicularis oculi muscle to reduce the fold that creates lines with each expression.
Halo Laser Treatment
For patients with pronounced static crow's feet alongside broader skin quality concerns, Halo's hybrid fractional laser addresses the surface lines and the collagen loss that has allowed them to become permanent.
Moxi Laser Treatment
A gentle, non-ablative fractional laser stimulates collagen renewal and improves the fine-line texture around the eyes. A good option for patients with early-to-moderate static crow's feet.
BroadBand Light High Energy Rapid Output (BBL HERO)
For patients whose crow's feet are accompanied by sun damage, pigmentation, or changes in skin quality around the eye area, BBL Hero addresses the broader picture while also improving collagen over time with consistent treatment.
SkinPen Microneedling
SkinPen microneedling stimulates collagen production in the delicate skin around the eyes, progressively improving the depth and texture of static crow's feet over a series of sessions.
PRF Regenerative Treatments
Platelet-Rich Fibrin injected around the eye area delivers growth factors that improve skin thickness and quality in this delicate zone. Addresses both the fine lines and the general thinning of periocular skin that makes crow's feet more pronounced.
Schedule Your Crow’s Feet Consultation Today
Frequently Asked Questions About Crow’s Feet
Will Botox for crow’s feet make me look expressionless?
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Not when it's done with the right dose and technique. The lateral eye area is one of the more forgiving areas for neuromodulators because some residual movement is expected and desired. At Element Dermatology, Dr. LaBine and team use a conservative approach that softens the lines at rest and reduces their depth when you smile, without eliminating the natural crinkle that makes expressions look genuine.
Can crow’s feet be treated without Botox?
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Yes, though the results are different depending on the type of crow's feet. For static lines that are present at rest, laser resurfacing (Halo or Moxi), SkinPen, and PRF can all improve the lines' texture and depth by rebuilding collagen. These treatments won't address the dynamic component (the fold that forms when you smile), but they do improve what's already there.
I’m in my 30s and just starting to notice crow’s feet. What should I do?
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Starting now is the smartest approach. Lines that are only dynamic at this stage (appearing when you smile but not yet visible at rest) are much easier to manage than lines that have already become static. A small amount of neuromodulator reduces the dynamic fold that would otherwise etch the line deeper over time. Combined with a consistent BBL Hero or Moxi routine, proper skincare regimen, and daily SPF, patients who start in their thirties tend to age around the eyes much more gradually than those who wait.
Is there anything I can do at home to help?
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Absolutely! Daily broad-spectrum SPF is the most important thing you can do for your skin. The periocular skin is thin and highly UV-sensitive, and sun protection is what slows crow's feet development more than anything else. A retinoid used at night stimulates collagen and accelerates cell turnover, improving skin quality around the eyes over time. UV-blocking sunglasses reduce squinting, which in turn reduces the muscle movement driving dynamic lines. A good eye cream with peptides or vitamin C supports skin quality as a complement to professional treatments, though it won't replace clinical intervention for established lines.