qd eye-area botox
Eye-area Botox softens the fan-shaped lines beside the eyes — crow’s feet — that appear when you smile, by relaxing the outer part of the orbicularis oculi muscle. The skin here is thin and mobile, so at QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul we assess your smile pattern first, then place small doses precisely. A session usually takes about 10–15 minutes with little downtime. (Results vary by individual.)
is this for me
Who it’s for
Even if none of these describes you, we will look again at the consultation.
- Fan-shaped lines beside the eyes when you smile
- Early, dynamic lines rather than deep resting creases
- Anyone who prefers a non-surgical option with minimal downtime
- People who want a softer, refreshed eye area while keeping a natural smile
The eye area is delicate, so dose and depth are placed conservatively. Fine crepey lines may be paired with skin-focused options, decided at consultation.
Before you pick a treatment name, start with the cause of your concern.
start with your concern
Even a treatment with the same name takes on a different role and scope depending on your current structure, the change you want, what you have had before and the recovery time you have.
01
Where you are now, and where we start
Lines around the eyes made by expression and how the smile moves
02
The change you want, the impression you keep
Rather than adding more volume, we decide where to fill and where to leave alone, and the line at which expression stays natural.
03
How it differs from similar options
We compare what filler, Botox and skin boosters each change and what they cannot change, with the alternatives alongside them.
04
Health information and recovery schedule
Beforehand we check blood thinners, immune conditions and allergies, past injectables, possible pregnancy and the dates that matter.
the
principle
We check muscle strength and function and the balance of your expression, then plan the smallest effective range, only where it is needed.
Botulinum toxin type A temporarily relaxes the lateral orbicularis oculi, the ring-shaped muscle that gathers the skin at the corner of the eye when you smile. With less contraction, crow’s feet soften. Placement stays superficial and to the side of the eye to keep the smile natural. The effect is temporary and gradually wears off.
How it works
01
Blocks the nerve-to-muscle signal
Botulinum toxin type A binds at the neuromuscular junction and blocks the release of acetylcholine — the chemical a nerve uses to tell a muscle to contract. The treated muscle then relaxes and pulls on the skin less.
02
Relaxes only the outer muscle
Placement stays superficial and to the side of the eye, so the smile is preserved while the fan-shaped lines soften.
03
Builds up over a few days
The block takes effect gradually on the treated nerve endings, which is why lines soften over several days rather than immediately.
04
Wears off as nerves recover
The body forms new nerve-terminal connections over time, so signalling returns, movement comes back and the effect fades — which is why the treatment is repeated.
The same treatment, never the same plan.
the qd standard
Rather than a fashionable name or a fixed package, we weigh the structure found at examination, safety, recovery and the limits within one plan.
- 01DIAGNOSIS FIRSTCause before nameWe first separate out the tissue and the function behind your concern.
- 02LESS, PRECISEOnly as much as neededRather than an excessive change, we plan the smallest scope with a clear role.
- 03HONEST LIMITThe limits, explained tooWe explain the change you can expect, the alternatives, individual differences and the risks.
From consultation to follow-up, planned as one flow.
personal plan
Eye-area Botox softens the fan-shaped lines beside the eyes — crow’s feet — that appear when you smile, by relaxing the outer part of the orbicularis oculi muscle. The skin here is thin and mobile, so at QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul we assess your smile pattern first, then place small doses precisely. A session usually takes about 10–15 minutes with little downtime. (Results vary by individual.)
Ingredients and authenticity
We check the product name, the maker, the ingredients, the expiry date and the use approved for that purpose.
Anatomy and expression
We look at where vessels are at risk, at muscle movement, skin thickness and the proportions of the whole face, then set the injection points.
Small amounts, one stage at a time
Allowing for swelling and the early response, we avoid overcorrection and top it up later if that is needed.
What the procedure is like
- Consultation and assessment of your smile pattern
- Cleansing and marking beside the eyes
- Superficial fine-needle injections into the lateral orbicularis oculi
- Brief cooling and aftercare guidance
Time: A session usually takes about 10–15 minutes.
Please read this before treatment
- Little to no downtime; most people return to daily activities the same day.
- Because the skin here is thin, temporary redness or mild bruising is a little more common and usually settles quickly.
- Avoid rubbing the area for a few hours and follow the aftercare guidance we provide.
Safety & considerations
Possible reactions
- Temporary redness or mild bruising, which can be a little more common because the skin here is thin
- Small injection bumps that settle quickly
- Slight asymmetry of the smile that eases as the effect settles or wears off
- Rarely, a temporary change around the lower eyelid if placement is close to it
When to take extra care
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding — let us know at consultation
- Neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis or Lambert–Eaton syndrome
- Certain medications, including aminoglycoside antibiotics or muscle relaxants — tell your doctor
- A known allergy to botulinum toxin or any ingredient in the product
- A tendency to under-eye puffiness or previous eyelid surgery — tell your doctor
what to expect
What to expect over time
A general guide to how the days and months after treatment usually unfold. Results vary by individual.
DAY 0
Injection day
Small, superficial injections beside the eyes take about 10–15 minutes. Because the skin here is thin, temporary redness or mild bruising can be a little more common and usually settles quickly. Most people return to daily activities the same day.
DAY 2-4
Onset begins
Many people notice the lines beside the eyes starting to soften as movement eases. Timing varies from person to person.
~2 WEEKS
Full effect settles
The effect reaches its full extent and is best assessed around this point. Any minor adjustment is reviewed now. (Results vary by individual.)
3-4 MONTHS
Gradual return
Muscle activity returns gradually and the lines slowly reappear. Duration varies from person to person. (Results vary by individual.)
REPEAT
Maintenance
A repeat session is timed at consultation once movement returns, rather than on a fixed date.
Sessions & results
Effects usually begin within a few days and settle by about two weeks, then last roughly 3–4 months. Repeat sessions are timed at consultation. (Results vary by individual.)
how it compares
How it compares
Crow’s feet can come from movement, surface texture or skin laxity, so these approaches suit different aspects of the eye area.
| Eye-Area Botox | Skin boosters | Energy-based tightening | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | Botulinum toxin type A relaxes the lateral orbicularis oculi | Injectable hydration for skin quality | Ultrasound or radiofrequency heats deeper layers |
| Targets | Dynamic lines when you smile | Fine, crepey surface lines | Mild skin laxity rather than movement |
| Onset | Over a few days | Gradual over weeks | Gradual over 2–3 months |
| Duration | About 3–4 months | Varies; a series is common | Varies by skin and device |
| Downtime | Little to none | Little to none | Little to none |
Neither is “better” — they work differently and suit different goals. The right choice is decided after we assess your skin.
Before you decide, the questions people always ask
before consultation
The eye area is exactly where a smile shows itself, so using a large dose can leave the expression looking flat. That is why we place small, divided amounts only where the lines actually form, and approach the area below the eye with care. If a natural look matters to you, please tell us that at the very start.
Under the eye the muscle is thin and takes part in how the lower lid moves, so we use only a very small amount, and even then only after assessing your condition. Used carelessly, it can leave the lower lid drooping or create a watery-eyed sensation. When the under-eye area is already full or there are eye bags, we often advise against it.
Some people tell us their eyes look a little softer once the muscles around them pull less strongly. That said, this is not a procedure that changes the size of the eye, and it is an area where high expectations easily lead to disappointment. Before treatment we go through what will change and what will not, point by point.
If dry eye is severe we proceed cautiously, because the muscle involved in blinking works less strongly and the symptoms can worsen. If you have had eye surgery or are currently under ophthalmological treatment, we adjust the timing and the extent of what we treat. Please tell us which eye drops you use and what treatment you are receiving.
Around the eyes the result generally holds for about three to four months, though it can be shorter for people who are very expressive. Some find upkeep easier when they come back before the effect has worn off completely, while others prefer to leave a generous gap. We look at how things are going and decide individually.
The medical information on this page was reviewed by Hong Sahyeok, plastic surgeon and Medical Director of QD Clinic.
personal consultation
Tell us what bothers you now, the change you want, what you have had done before and any dates that matter. We will compare the possible approaches and their limits, calmly.
Consult now