Let's talk about the versatility of Botox. While neurotoxin is responsible for minimizing the wrinkles on a forehead or crow's feet surrounding the eyes, it can be used as well on the under-eye area. You might be aware of the concept of filler injection to minimize the dark spots; the role of Botox is to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and texture when it is deliberately filled under the eye area. According to Dermatologist Jessie Cheung, The Botox procedure is injected where the muscles, which are called the mid-pupillary line, located under the eyes bulge out when we smile.
We interviewed the board-certified Dermatologist Dr. Cheung, Dr. Rachel Nazarian, and the registered nurse Ms. Kristina Kitsos to dig for more information about the Under-the-Eye Botox procedure. This conversation also talked about the comparisons between Botox and Under-eye fillers and how to identify if that treatment is the right one for you. Let's go on and learn more.
Under-Eye Botox: What is It?
When we say Under-Eye Botox, it simply means a Botox is injected into the muscle that bulges under your eyes. This is also known as Jelly Roll Botox. It may seem that the procedure is kind of unusual, but according to Dr. Cheung, this type of procedure is what he applies when he is treating crow's feet wrinkles.
The eye muscle is a bulging circle that is surrounding the eyes. So, if you only undergo a Botox procedure on the lateral part of your eye muscles, it will get a relatively larger and stronger undereye portion, which leads to producing more wrinkles. Crow's feet Botox duration should be improved as well since the eye muscles are relaxed.
As Dr. Kitsos has said, the ideal candidates for this treatment are those that have good eyelid muscles and healthy eyelid support.
This procedure is typically injected in the lower area of the muscle that is roundly surrounding the eyes using a fine-gauge syringe. It is administered at a very low dose that lasts up to four months as what neuromodulators typically do.
Under-Eye Botox Benefits
Under-eye Botox procedure is beneficial, especially to those who want to reduce the appearance of wrinkles that is evident especially when smiling, or that "jelly roll" muscles that stick out when you squint.
According to Dr. Cheung, t helps shrink the bulge appearance under your eyes. Aside from that, it helps the under-eye skin to have that smoother skin texture in just a matter of a very low dose of Botox.
Under-Eye Botox Preparation
The preparation for the under-eye Botox procedure is just the same as other injectable preparations. According to Dr. Kitsos, these preparations include alcoholic liquor abstinence, abstinence from any blood-thinning meds such as Advil, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, and other food supplements like green tea, turmeric, and fish oil at least one weebeforeto your appointment. The reason behind this is that it increases the risk of bruising on your skin.
Under-Eye Botox Expectations
Your doctor will assess muscles and lower eyelid "snap test" before you are distinguished if you are qualified to undergo the under-eye Botox treatment. According to Dr. Cheung, the said under-eye treatment is prohibited for those who have puffy or saggy eyelids.
Once you passed the assessment, then they will move on to the next step which is icing or numbing the area, although it is not necessary. The treatment is conducted by one or two small painless injections. And then the Botox procedure will be conducted after two weeks from your initial injection, and within that period, you can also have an appointment with your doctor when needed.
Comparison between Under-Eye Botox & Under-Eye Filler
Both Botox and Fillers complement with each other, however, it is not interchangeable. Dr. Cheung says eye filler contours the area and replaces the volume, while Botox shrinks the muscle and reduces wrinkles. This kind of filler is used to fill the hollow spots under the eyes and minimizes the appearance of the dark spots that are caused by volume loss. There may be a reduction of wrinkles because of its ability to plump up its fine lines, yet, the muscle causing it is still active. On the contrary, the under-eye Botox prevents the said muscle to move and create wrinkles yet it won't affect much on the dark circles.
Side Effects
Swelling or bruising can be a side effect of any injectable treatment. Mis Kitsos emphasized that there is a higher risk of having that swollen-looking eye bag that can go evidently for about 3 or 4 months if there is a high dose of Botox.
A small dose of Botox injection will temporarily paralyze the muscles that work to push the lymph glands away from the under-eye areas and that leads to swelling. Also, if the fat pad under your eyes gets no stronger support from a relaxed eye muscle, it can herniate and make the eye bags look worse. The lower lid can be that weak and it could slightly pull away from its muscle. This could lead to worse issues like dry eyes and blurry vision.
In some instances, the under-eye Botox can cause wrinkles in other parts of the face. And these are the areas that can be next to your eye area or just slightly below your under-eye area. Your skin may look for a new spot to fold after you undergo a Botox procedure under your eyes because these lines from your smiles and the pressure on your cheeks that is pushing up on the under-eye area. It is unpredictable and despite the risks it has, still, a lot of people prefer the after-Botox appearance and somehow loved the results.
During the interview we conducted, Kitsos emphasized and stated that there are manifestations of risks in older patients and people with thinner eye muscles. However, for the sake of having it safely done, it is advisable to get an appointment for a consultation from your derma provider to check if can pass the initial assessment. And if unfortunately, you did not pass, then it is better to consider another option.
The Pricing of Under-Eye Botox Procedure
It depends on which state you reside in. The total cost of this treatment can vary depending on the clinic's cost per unit and how many of these units are useable. But Kitsos noted that the price range could be between $50 up to $150 for the under-eye Botox procedure.
According to Dr. Cheung, most doses applied for the under-eye Botox are two units. And this procedure is usually done as an add-on to the crow's feet Botox, which is estimated to be between 6 and 10 units.
The Aftercare of the Under-eye Botox
It is pretty minimal to take care of one's self after the under-eye procedure. Nazarian's suggest no touching nor giving a massage on the area injected. It is important to bear in mind to use ice right after the injection procedure is done to lessen the appearance of bruises. On the other hand, you can put on your preferred makeup just carefully a day after your under-eye injection treatment.
Under-Eye Botox Treatment: The Ultimate Takeaway
If your target is to get a lesser exposure to the horizontal lines below your eyes or to minimize the bulginess of your under-eye when you smile, then, you could be the right prospect to undergo the treatment. However, it is of utmost importance to ensure the proper assessment and consultation from your doctor before moving forward with the said treatment.
Dr. Cheung highlighted that the under-eye Botox may not be the proper medical procedure for those who have natural puffy eyes or saggy eyelids. However, if you passed the assessment and it makes you qualified to undergo the said treatment, then, the final result may sometimes end up with a very subtle to a significant one.
Personal Point of View:
I have gone through an under-eye Botox a few years ago and did appreciate how it made my under-eye look smoother. Although, the change made is not that so visible that I would keep up with that each time I went in for that touch-up. I must proudly yet humbly say, that I do not have a crow's feet lines to treat. But my main concern is my dark eye bags, and if this happens to you as well, I must say that opting for a filler under the eyes could be the better treatment to choose. As we all know, the Botox treatment is only helpful for dynamic wrinkles and that is what Kitsos said. The eye bags and eye hollows and the under-eye dark shades are better to go through with dermal surgery or fillers.
The very important step is to talk with your doctor and find out the very core issue that you wanted to choose. And if the assessment says that you are not fit for the said under-eye Botox, then your case might be better treated with a laser resurface procedure and another type of surgery and filler treatments.
