Smile lines, also known as crow’s feet, are the pesky lines that appear at the sides of your eyes when you smile or squint. It’s impossible to avoid them completely because they are a natural process of aging. As your skin loses fat and elasticity, the loosening skin leads to these creases. There are, however, non-surgical cosmetic solutions that make them go away.
Botox Cosmetic
Botox Cosmetic is a non-surgical solution that takes little time to administer and lasts for up to four months. The injectable works by relaxing the nerves that control the muscles. As the muscle relaxes, the skin smoothes out and reduces the appearance of crow’s feet.
Botox Cosmetic does not require any recovery time, so you don’t have to take time off from work or social activities. It’s a safe, FDA-approved treatment with very few side effects. The biggest concerns are pain at the injection site, bruising, and swelling. Your facial plastic surgeon may apply ice prior to the injections of Botox in order to help alleviate some of the discomfort.
Perlane
Hyaluronic acid fillers are a popular choice because they contain no animal products and occur naturally within the human body. Perlane is a hyaluronic acid filler that is safe and effective at adding volume. It’s useful in correcting crow’s feet and other lines and wrinkles.
With Perlane, the benefits last anywhere from six months to a year. Perlane is naturally absorbed by the body, so period touch-ups are necessary if you want to maintain volume. Most people go in for twice yearly or yearly treatments. If you decide not to go for touch-ups, your skin simply returns to its pre-Perlane appearance.
Restylane
Restylane is another hyaluronic filler that adds volume to the tissue under the skin, but is less concentrated than Perlane. It’s useful in reducing the appearance of crow’s feet, lip lines, marionette lines, nasolabial folds, and worry lines. The injections take little time to complete, about 30 minutes, and have few side effects. Bruising and pain at the injection site are the most common complaints.
Following Restylane injections, you get back to normal routines immediately. Improvements last for six months or longer. Over time, the body naturally absorbs Restylane, so your skin will revert back to how it looked before the treatments.
Save time before your appointment by printing out and completing Williams Center Plastic Surgery Specialists patient forms in advance. Dr. Edwin Williams, board certified in facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology, is conveniently located thanks to offices in both Manhattan and Albany, New York. To schedule a consultation with the New York facial plastic surgeon call (518) 786-7000 in Albany or (212) 799-2100 in Manhattan.
About the Author: Dr. Edwin Williams
Dr. Edwin Williams is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who founded The Williams Center in 1993. He has performed over 10,000 facial plastic surgery procedures and has pioneered the deep plane facelift. He served on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery for over a decade, and served as President from 2015-2016. In 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Dr. Williams earned the Castle Connelly Top Doctors award in New York Facial Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Edwin F. Williams III attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982. He began medical school at the State University of Buffalo School of Medicine and received his Doctor of Medicine in 1986.
Dr. Williams is actively involved in teaching facial plastic and reconstruction surgery to the residents of the Albany Medical Center and is former Chief of the Section of Facial and Plastic Reconstruction Surgery at Albany Medical Center where he received an academic appointment of Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery.