Botox was approved more than a decade ago for the treatment of frown lines (those annoying creases that appear between the eyebrows)—and since then, the FDA has gradually approved it for use in other applications: for the treatment of chronic migraines and overactive bladders, for addressing eyelid spasms, and to treat hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), among other things.
Until this month, however, Botox wasn’t officially approved for the treatment of an extremely common malady: crows feet.
Crows feet—which, as I’m sure you know, are wrinkles at the outer corner of the eyes—are a casualty of aging that is virtually impossible to avoid developing at some point. We get them from smiling; from squinting in the sun; and a variety of other facial movements, most of which we do unconsciously. If you’re over the age of 30, odds are you have at least a trace of crows feet.
As a plastic surgeon, I see a lot of patients (of both sexes) who want to get of these markers of maturity—and I, like many of my colleagues, have long known that Botox injections are an effective (albeit impermanent) means of doing just that, so the FDA’s approval isn’t exactly a revolutionary move! However, for those of you who are interested in using Botox to smooth out your crow’s feet but have hesitated to do so because the FDA hadn’t yet given its blessing . . . here’s the green light you’ve been waiting for!
As always, keep in mind that FDA approval of a drug like Botox doesn’t mean that anyone is qualified to administer it: if you’re going to elect for the injections, make sure you do so with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon! And if you have any questions about Botox and crows feet (or anything else plastic surgery-related), give us a call here at the San Francisco Plastic Surgery & Laser Center and set up a free consultation—we’d be happy to help you out.
