Crow's Feet Treatment in Cheongdam & Apgujeong, Seoul

How crow's feet form

Around each eye runs the orbicularis oculi, a ring-shaped muscle that closes the eyelids and tightens the outer eye when we smile, laugh or squint. Its outer fibres sit directly beneath thin skin, and every contraction folds that skin into a fan of lines — 눈가주름 in Korean.

Crow's feet pass through two stages:

• Dynamic lines appear only with expression. They are a sign of a warm smile, and at this stage the skin smooths out completely at rest.
• Static lines remain visible when the face is relaxed. Repeated folding, combined with declining collagen and elastin, eventually leaves a permanent crease.

Several factors decide how early static lines appear: sun exposure and squinting (sunglasses help more than people think), naturally thin or dry skin, smoking, and the strength of your individual smile. Loss of volume around the outer eye and temple can also make lines look deeper, because the skin has less to rest on.

How Doje Clinic assesses crow's feet

A natural smile involves the whole face, so treating the outer eye in isolation can create problems — a smile that looks stiff, or cheeks that bunch unusually when the eye area can no longer move. In a 1:1 consultation, Dr. Byun Jeik looks at:

• the pattern of your lines (upper fan, lower fan or full fan) and how far they extend toward the cheek;
• how much of the lining remains at rest, which tells him how much is static;
• the strength of your smile and how your cheeks move with it;
• lower-lid support and skin quality, because over-relaxing the area can make the lower lid look looser;
• any volume loss at the outer eye or temple.

Where useful, Mark-View 3D skin analysis gives objective data on texture and fine lines, helping to decide how much of the plan should focus on skin quality rather than movement.

Options from mild to advanced

Dynamic lines only

Botulinum toxin placed in the outer part of the eye muscle reduces its contraction and softens the fan of lines that appears with a smile. Doje doses this conservatively and maps the injection points to your smile pattern, aiming to soften rather than erase, so the eyes still crinkle naturally. Results typically appear within one to two weeks and last several months, varying by person.

Early static lines

Once lines remain at rest, relaxing the muscle helps but does not remove the crease. Eye-area skin boosters — Eye Rejuran and Re2O Fine — improve skin thickness and elasticity over a course of sessions, while toxin prevents the crease from being folded further.

Established lines with lax skin

When the skin around the eye has loosened, Eye Thermage combined with Softwave tightens the skin gradually and supports collagen remodelling. Combining tightening, skin boosters and toxin generally gives a smoother result than any one alone.

Volume loss at the outer eye

If the temple or the area beside the eye has hollowed, careful support can help the skin lie smoother; see hollow temples. Filler is rarely placed directly into crow's feet, because the skin is thin and the area moves constantly.

Which Doje program fits

For movement lines alone, toxin as a single treatment is usually enough. When crow's feet come with crepey under-eye skin, hollows or a heavy brow, the Eye Program addresses the eye area as a whole through lifting (Doje signature upper-face thread lift), volume (soft filler) and skin improvement, with Eye Thermage with Softwave, GOURI/Re2O, Eye Rejuran and Re2O Fine as options.

When another opinion is more appropriate

Crow's feet rarely require surgery. If they are part of significant upper- or lower-lid skin excess, eyelid surgery assessed by a qualified surgeon may address the bigger issue. Very deep, sun-damaged lines may need more intensive resurfacing than the eye-area treatments described here; Dr. Byun will discuss realistic expectations.

Cost

Fees depend on whether you need toxin alone or a combined skin plan, and are quoted after the 1:1 consultation. Ask for a written quote; Korean non-covered (비급여) aesthetic fees are set per plan.

Frequently asked questions

When should I start treating crow's feet?

There is no fixed age. Many people consider toxin when lines start to remain at rest, since preventing a crease is easier than softening one.

How long does Botox for crow's feet last?

Typically around three to four months, though it varies with dose, muscle strength and metabolism.

Will my smile look frozen?

It should not. Doje doses conservatively and maps injection points to your smile so the eyes still crinkle naturally.

Can static crow's feet be removed?

They can usually be softened with a combination of toxin, skin boosters and tightening, but deep creases rarely disappear completely.

Is filler used for crow's feet?

Rarely directly in the lines, because the skin is thin and moves constantly. Support may be added nearby when volume loss contributes.

What is the downtime?

Usually minimal: small injection marks for a few hours and occasionally a small bruise. Skin boosters may leave small bumps for a few days.

Related at Doje Clinic

• Botox
• Eye Program
• Eye Rejuran
• Crepey Under-Eye Skin
• Fine Lines
• Eye Thermage vs Softwave
• Botox Aftercare

Medical information on this page is general education, not a diagnosis. Suitability, risks and the final plan are confirmed in a 1:1 consultation with Dr. Byun Jeik. Last updated 17 October 2026.