Crow’s feet lines extending down your cheek? These are the best treatment options

Crow’s Feet Treatments, Kent and London 

Crow’s feet – those fine lines that fan out from the corners of the eyes -are one of the earliest signs of ageing. At first, they may only appear when you smile or squint, but over time, they can deepen and extend further down the cheek, making the midface appear more creased and less supported. If you’ve started to notice that your crow’s feet lines are creeping lower, it’s a sign that the underlying volume and structure of the midface are changing, not just the skin around your eyes.

While Botox remains the gold standard for treating crow’s feet at the outer corners of the eyes, it doesn’t correct lines that extend further down the cheek. That’s because these lines aren’t just caused by muscle movement – they’re also a result of volume loss, skin laxity, and collagen depletion. To truly restore a smoother, more youthful appearance, we need to address both the movement of the muscles and the structural changes beneath the skin.

Let’s explore why crow’s feet lines can extend down the cheeks and the most effective treatments to lift, restore, and smooth the area.

Why do crow’s feet lines extend down the cheek?

When crow’s feet lines progress beyond the outer corners of the eyes and start forming deeper creases down the cheeks, it’s often due to a combination of factors. The primary cause is age-related volume loss in the midface. As we get older, fat pads in the cheeks shrink and descend, collagen production slows, and the skin loses elasticity. This lack of support allows fine lines to deepen, creating a crepey, etched-in appearance that extends downward.

Repeated facial expressions also play a role. Every time we smile, squint, or laugh, the muscles around the eyes and cheeks contract, pulling on the skin. When skin is firm and well-supported, it bounces back easily, but as collagen diminishes and volume depletes, those dynamic wrinkles become static lines that remain even at rest.

Sun exposure, smoking, genetics, and lifestyle factors like smoking and a poor skincare routine can accelerate these changes, making crow’s feet lines appear more prominent and extending them further into the cheek area.

Treating crow’s feet lines with Botox – Why it only works up to a point

Botox is one of the most effective ways to soften crow’s feet lines around the outer eye area. It works by relaxing the orbicularis oculi muscle, preventing the excessive contraction that causes fine lines to form. This keeps the skin looking smoother and more refreshed.

However, Botox is not the best solution for lines that have migrated down the cheek. That’s because these lower lines are influenced by both muscle movement and loss of structural support. If we attempt to treat them with Botox alone, there’s a risk of affecting natural facial expressions or causing an unnatural or uneven smile.

Instead, to properly address crow’s feet lines that extend down the cheek, we need to restore lost volume, improve skin quality, and stimulate collagen production.

Bio-stimulators and hyaluronic acid fillers – Restoring volume and support

When crow’s feet lines extend further than they once used to, it’s often a sign of midface volume loss. Without sufficient structural support, the skin folds inwards, creating deeper wrinkles. To counteract this, biostimulators and fillers can be used to restore lost volume and lift the area.

HArmonyCa is an excellent choice for this type of treatment, as it combines hyaluronic acid for immediate hydration and calcium hydroxyapatite for long-term collagen stimulation. This dual-action approach helps to plump the skin while encouraging natural regeneration, making the lines less pronounced over time.

Hyaluronic acid fillers can also be strategically placed to support the midface, reducing the downward pull that contributes to these etched lines. By restoring the natural contours of the cheeks, fillers help soften the appearance of crow’s feet lines while keeping facial movements natural and expressive.

Skin tightening and collagen stimulation – Improving texture and elasticity

Even with volume restoration, the skin itself needs to be strengthened and rejuvenated to achieve the best possible results. Treatments that stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture can further reduce the appearance of crow’s feet lines and prevent them from worsening over time.

Radiofrequency microneedling is a highly effective option, as it delivers heat energy deep into the dermis, triggering collagen and elastin production. This helps to improve skin elasticity, making it firmer, smoother, and more resilient against fine lines.

Laser treatments, such as fractional laser resurfacing, can also be used to refine skin texture, targeting fine lines and sun damage while encouraging fresh collagen formation. This is particularly useful for improving the crepey skin texture that often accompanies crow’s feet lines extending down the cheek.

For patients looking for a non-invasive skin tightening option, Sofwave is an excellent choice. It uses ultrasound technology to stimulate collagen at the optimal mid-dermal depth, resulting in firmer, more youthful skin over time.

Combining treatments for the best results

The best approach to treating crow’s feet lines that extend down the cheeks is often a combination of Botox, volume restoration, and skin rejuvenation. By addressing muscle activity, skin integrity structural changes, we can achieve results that look natural, balanced, and long-lasting.

During a consultation, we assess your unique facial anatomy and skin quality to create a personalised treatment plan. Whether you need Botox alone or a combination of fillers, biostimulators, and skin-tightening treatments, the goal is always to restore smoothness, support, and a youthful, refreshed appearance.

Ready to smooth crow’s feet lines and restore youthful volume?

If you’ve noticed your crow’s feet lines extending down your cheeks, it may be time to explore a comprehensive treatment plan that restores volume, improves skin texture, and prevents further progression. Book a consultation with the Illuminate Skin Clinic, Kent or London team today to find out which treatment approach is right for you and discover how we can help you achieve a smoother, fresher appearance with long-lasting results.