Botox, also known as botulinum toxin, is an injectable drug that can temporarily relax facial muscles. It’s commonly used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, but some people also use Botox to subtly change the shape of their eyes.
How does Botox work?
Botox blocks the signals from nerves to muscles, preventing the muscles from contracting. When injected into specific spots around the eyes, Botox can weaken muscles that pull downwards or inwards, allowing opposing muscles to lift the eyebrows or open up the eyes.
Here are some of the ways Botox can change eye shape:
- Lifting drooping outer corners (lateral canthal tilt): Botox relaxes depressor muscles that pull down the outer corners.
- Opening up hooded eyelids: Paralysis of orbicularis oculi muscles reduces hooding.
- Lifting dropped eyebrows: Botox in glabellar muscles lifts lowered or sagging brows.
- Widening eyes: Botox in medial orbicularis oculi widens the eyes by limiting inward pulling.
The effects are subtle and temporary, lasting 3-6 months. Botox does not radically alter eye shape, but can make small tweaks to features like hooding, eyelid curvature, outer corners, and brow position.
Botox for drooping outer eye corners
As we age, the outer corners of the eyes can start to droop downwards due to gravity and muscle action pulling the skin. This makes the eyes appear smaller, more closed off, and tired.
Botox can lift the outer corners of the eyes, opening them up for a more awake, youthful look. When injected into the depressor muscles around the lateral canthus (outer eye corner), Botox weakens the downward pulling and allows the outer corner to lift.
Results are visible within a week and last 3-4 months. Some residual muscle action remains, so the lift is subtle, but most patients report a positive change in eye shape with opened up, upright outer corners.
Botox dosage for outer corners
About 2-6 units of Botox are injected into each depressor muscle to lift the outer corners. Your injector will determine the doses based on your facial anatomy and desired amount of lift.
Before and after pictures
Here are some before and after photos of patients who had Botox to the outer eye corners to subtly lift and open up the eyes:
As you can see, the Botox lifts the outer corners for a more alert eye shape, while still retaining natural movement.
Using Botox for hooded eyes
Hooded eyes have an extra fold of skin drooping over the natural crease, making the eyelid opening smaller. While largley genetic, hooded eyes can worsen with age as the skin loses elasticity and fat pads under the eyes bulge forward.
Botox can be used to reduce hooding and open up the eyes. When injected into the orbicularis muscle surrounding the eye, Botox weakens the muscle’s ability to contract and pull the eyelid skin downward.
Areas targeted include the medial and central orbicularis oculi. Relaxing these muscles reduces the amount of hooding and lift the droopy eyelid skin. This widens and opens the eye, decreasing the upper eyelid coverage.
Treatment protocol
About 10-20 units of Botox are used per eye to reduce hooding. Your provider will determine the right dose for your degree of hooding and treatment goals.
Injection points include:
- Orbital rim
- Lower eyelid
- Crow’s feet
- Tear trough
Results last about 3-4 months before muscle action returns. Repeat treatments are needed to maintain the effect.
Before and afters
Here are some before and after pictures of patients who had Botox injections for hooded eyes. You can see the injection results in the increased visible eyelid space.
Botox can reduce hooding for wider, more open eyes. However, it cannot dramatically reshape bone structure, so results are modest. Severely hooded eyes may require blepharoplasty surgery to fully open the eyes.
Lifting drooping eyebrows with Botox
The eyebrows descend over time due to gravity, muscle use, and loss of elasticity in forehead skin. Low eyebrows can make the eyes appear smaller, more closed, and tired.
Botox injected to the glabellar complex – the muscle group between the eyebrows – can lift lowered eyebrows. Paralyzing these muscles relaxes the downward pulling, allowing the brows to return to a higher, more arched position.
Results are visible within 1-2 weeks. While not a brow lift, Botox can provide a subtle rejuvenating lift of 1-2mms.
Treatment details
About 10-30 units of Botox are injected into 5-7 points along the glabellar muscles. More units are used for maximum muscle relaxation and lift.
Injections points include:
- Between brows
- Lower forehead
- Nasal bridge
- Corners of brows
Touch up and repeat treatments are needed every 3-4 months to maintain the brow lift effect.
Before and after Botox brow lift
Here are examples of before and after Botox to lift low set eyebrows:
As seen, Botox can provide a subtle lift to the eyebrows, opening up the eyes. However, only about 1-2mms of lift is possible due to remaining muscle action.
Widening eyes with Botox
Some people have naturally close-set eyes that can appear narrowly spaced. The medial orbicularis muscles pull inwards, bringing the eyes closer together.
Botox can temporarily widen the space between eyes. When injected along the inner orbicularis, Botox limits the inward pulling and allows the eyes to move slightly further apart.
This can make the eyes appear larger and more open. However, the effect is extremely subtle, usually only 1-2mms of increased width.
Treatment process
About 2-4 units of Botox are carefully injected along the medial canthus into the orbicularis oculi. More units increase the eye widening effect.
Results are visible within 1-2 weeks and last 3-4 months. Repeat treatments maintain the muscle paralysis and effect.
Before and after widening Botox
Here is an example of subtle eye widening with Botox:
As shown, Botox can increase the eye width by a couple of mms for a very subtle change. Significant widening is not possible as the eyes are set into bone.
Risks and side effects
When used properly, Botox eye treatments are very safe with minimal risks. However, some potential side effects include:
- Drooping eyelid (ptosis) – improper injection near levator muscle
- Asymmetry due to uneven effect
- Temporary blurry vision
- Bruising around injection sites
- Headaches
- Eyelid swelling
These effects are temporary and resolve as the Botox wears off. Choosing an experienced injector minimizes risks.
Who is a good candidate?
The ideal Botox eye candidate has these traits:
- Mild to moderate signs of aging around the eyes
- Not overly hooded eyes or extremely low brows
- Realistic expectations for subtle changes
- Good general health
- No neuromuscular disorders
- Not pregnant or breastfeeding
Botox works best for minor improvements in eye shape and opening. It cannot dramatically alter large hoods, very low brows, or widely spaced eyes.
Consultation tips
During your Botox consultation:
- Discuss goals – be specific about the issues you want to improve
- Review medical history including medications and allergies
- Ask to see before and after photos
- Ensure the injector examines your facial anatomy
- Ask questions about risks, side effects, and downtime
- Clarify costs and payment options
Choose a board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist with significant experience injecting Botox around the eyes.
Preparing for treatment
Here are some tips for preparing for your Botox eye treatment:
- Avoid blood thinning medications like aspirin and ibuprofen for 1-2 weeks prior
- Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours before
- Arrive with clean skin, no makeup, and hair pulled back
- Apply ice to injection sites to reduce bruising
- Have transportation arranged, as you cannot drive immediately after
- Schedule downtime in case of temporary swelling, bruising, or blurry vision
Follow your provider’s specific preparation instructions to ensure the best results from your Botox eye treatment.
Recovery and aftercare
Recovery after Botox eye treatments is quick with minimal downtime needed. You can return to normal activities right away but should observe these aftercare tips:
- Avoid rubbing or touching injection sites
- Use cool compresses to reduce swelling
- Use eye drops if dryness occurs
- Wear sunglasses outside to protect from dust and debris
- Sleep face up on your back with head elevated
- Avoid facials, massages, and hair treatments for 2 weeks
- Wait 2 weeks for makeup, especially eyeliner
- Do not lay down for 4 hours to avoid migration
Follow all your provider’s aftercare instructions closely for proper healing and optimal results.
Results timeline
Here is the general timeline for when you can expect to see Botox eye shaping results:
- Day 1 – Treatment
- Day 3 – Some visible lifting of brows or corners
- Day 5-7 – Moderate improvement visible
- Day 10 – Full effects visible
- Week 12 – Results start fading
- Month 3-4 – Muscle action and wrinkles return
You should see the maximal eye shaping changes about 7-10 days post-treatment. Maintaining the results requires repeat Botox every 3-4 months.
Costs involved
The average cost per Botox treatment is typically $300-$500. However, pricing depends on factors like:
- Doctor’s fees
- Number of units used
- Geographic location – major cities are more expensive
- Additional fees like operating room etc
Many practices offer package deals for repeat Botox customers to make treatments more affordable. Payment plans or financing may also be available.
Conclusion
When injected strategically around the eyes, Botox can provide subtle improvements in eye shape. It can lift drooping outer corners, reduce hooding, lift eyebrows, and widen spaced eyes.
However, Botox has limitations. It cannot drastically reshape bone structure or lift extremely sagging skin. Results are modest, temporary, and gradual. Multiple treatments are required to maintain the effects.
Proper candidate selection, skilled injection technique, and realistic expectations are necessary for satisfying outcomes from Botox eye shaping. When done correctly, Botox can freshen up the eyes for a more youthful, awake appearance.
