Quick Summary
- Do your under-eye makeup or concealer crease easily?
- Does your eyeliner smudge onto the upper eyelid instead of staying straight?
- Repeated movement of the orbicularis muscle around the eyes contributes to dynamic lines.
- As we age, these dynamic lines can become static lines and may become more noticeable.
- Botox treatment helps relax the muscles responsible for repeated movements.
- CO2 laser treatment can help tighten the skin under the eyes.
- I use the combination of Botox and CO2 laser when the concern involves both the muscle and the skin around the eyes.
Why Does Makeup Crease Around the Eyes?
One of the common concerns I hear from patients is that their makeup does not stay the way they want it to.
You may notice that your concealer or makeup starts creasing under your eyes. Or, when you apply eyeliner, it may not stay straight and can smudge onto the upper eyelid.
This can be frustrating, especially when you have spent time getting your makeup right.
One reason for this is the muscle surrounding the eyes, called the orbicularis muscle.
Normally, this muscle has an important role in helping with our eye movements. It is also responsible for the dynamic lines that appear around the eyes when the muscle repeatedly moves.
How Ageing Affects the Skin Around Your Eyes
The lines around our eyes are not always static from the beginning.
The orbicularis muscle repeatedly contracts as we make facial expressions and move our eyes. These movements can create what we call dynamic lines.
As we age, these dynamic lines can gradually become static lines.
This is one reason the lines may become more noticeable even when your face is at rest. It can also contribute to makeup settling or creasing in those areas.
Rather than looking at the wrinkle alone, I look at what is contributing to the concern — particularly the muscle movement and the condition of the skin.
How Does Botox Treatment Help Eye Wrinkles?
Botox treatment works on the muscle.
When Botox is administered appropriately, it helps relax the muscles responsible for repeated movements.
In the case of lines around the eyes, reducing these repeated muscle movements can help reduce the creasing associated with them.
I explain it simply to my patients:
Botox is for the muscle.
The aim is not simply to treat the visible line on the surface. We are addressing the muscle movement that contributes to the dynamic lines around the eyes.
How Does CO2 Laser Treatment Help?
While Botox targets the muscle, CO2 laser treatment focuses on the skin.
The skin under the eyes can also need attention, particularly when the concern involves skin tightness.
CO2 laser treatment can help tighten the skin under the eyes.
So, when I use these treatments together, they address two different aspects of the eye area:
Botox → Muscle
CO2 Laser → Skin
This is why the combination can be useful when the goal is to rejuvenate the area around the eyes while also addressing skin tightening.
Why Combine Botox and CO2 Laser?
Botox and CO2 laser do not work in exactly the same way.
Botox addresses the orbicularis muscle and its repeated movements, while CO2 laser addresses the skin under the eyes.
When both muscle movement and skin concerns are contributing to the appearance of the eye area, treating these two aspects together can provide a more comprehensive approach.
I describe it to my patients as:
Botox for the muscle and CO2 laser for the skin.
The combination can help with eye-area rejuvenation and skin tightening.
Who May Consider Botox Treatment for Eye Wrinkles?
If you are noticing concerns such as:
- Under-eye makeup creasing
- Fine lines around the eyes
- Dynamic lines around the eyes
- Eyeliner smudging because of the skin folds
- Skin around the eyes that needs tightening
you may benefit from a consultation to understand what is contributing to the concern.
I don’t believe that every eye-area concern requires the same treatment. During consultation, I assess the area and determine whether the concern is mainly related to muscle movement, skin condition, or both.
Botox Treatment vs CO2 Laser Treatment: What Is the Difference?
| Treatment | Main Target | Purpose Discussed Here |
| Botox treatment | Orbicularis muscle | Helps relax repeated muscle movements |
| CO2 laser treatment | Skin under the eyes | Helps with skin tightening |
| Combination | Muscle + skin | Eye-area rejuvenation and skin tightening |
Can Botox and CO2 Laser Be Used Together?
Yes, Botox and CO2 laser can be used as a combination when the patient’s concerns involve both the muscle and the skin.
In my approach, Botox is used to relax the muscle responsible for repeated movements, while CO2 laser is used to help tighten the skin under the eyes.
Whether this combination is appropriate for you depends on your individual concern and assessment.
What Should You Do If Your Makeup Keeps Creasing?
If your concealer repeatedly settles into the lines under your eyes or your eyeliner keeps smudging, don’t assume that changing your makeup products is the only solution.
The underlying concern may involve the way the muscles around your eyes move and the condition of the skin.
A consultation allows me to understand what is happening around your eyes and discuss the treatment options that may be appropriate.
Ready to Discuss Your Botox Treatment
When you notice makeup creasing under your eyes or eyeliner repeatedly smudging, there may be more happening beneath the surface than you realise.
The orbicularis muscle contributes to dynamic lines around the eyes, while changes in the skin can also affect the appearance of the area.
That is why, in suitable patients, I may consider a combination approach:
Botox treatment for the muscle + CO2 laser treatment for the skin.
If you are concerned about eye wrinkles, makeup creasing, or skin tightening around the eyes, schedule a consultation at Dr. Sheetal’s Aesthetic Clinic in Madurai to discuss your concerns and find the treatment approach suited to you
Frequently Asked Questions About Botox Treatment for Eye Wrinkles
Why does concealer crease under my eyes?
Creasing can be related to the lines and folds created by repeated movement around the eyes. The orbicularis muscle plays a role in creating dynamic lines around the eye area.
Can Botox help with makeup creasing?
Botox can help reduce repeated muscle movements that contribute to creasing. However, the suitability of treatment depends on the individual assessment.
What is CO2 laser treatment used for under the eyes?
CO2 laser treatment can help tighten the skin under the eyes. In combination with Botox, it addresses the skin while Botox addresses the muscle.
Which is better for eye wrinkles: Botox or CO2 laser?
They target different aspects of the concern. Botox targets the muscle, while CO2 laser treatment targets the skin. Depending on the individual concern, they may also be used together.
Can Botox and CO2 laser be combined?
They can be combined when appropriate. I assess the patient’s concerns before deciding whether a combination treatment is suitable.
What is the cost of Botox treatment in Madurai?
The cost of Botox treatment in Madurai can vary depending on the treatment area, the amount of Botox required, and the individual’s concerns. A consultation is recommended to determine the appropriate treatment and cost.
About the Author
Dr. Sheetal Mithran
MBBS, MS, M.Ch – Cosmetic & Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Sheetal Mithran is a Cosmetic & Plastic Surgeon specialising in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. At Dr. Sheetal’s Aesthetic Clinic, treatment plans are selected based on each patient’s individual concerns, skin condition, goals and requirements.
