Can Botox Cause Cheek Wrinkles

by Piper

Upper-cheek wrinkles after crow’s-feet Botox

I had Botox around my eye area and at the crow's feet. And, now a few weeks later, it seems like I have more wrinkles, especially around the upper cheek area.

Could the Botox injection cause those wrinkles?

Until now, I didn't have any issues.

Please help.

Thanks,
Piper

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Quick answer:

Botox doesn’t directly create new cheek wrinkles, but after crow’s-feet injections, upper-cheek lines can sometimes look more noticeable. This may happen because relaxing the muscles around the outer eye changes how the nearby cheek muscles move when you smile. Placement, dose, facial anatomy, and existing volume loss can all play a role.

Hi Piper!

Yes, Botox around the crow’s-feet area can sometimes change the way the upper cheek looks when you smile, even though Botox itself isn’t creating new wrinkles.

Why wrinkles can look worse after Botox

Botox works by relaxing the muscles that create expression lines. Around the crow’s-feet area, the main muscle being treated is the orbicularis oculi.

If the treatment extends too low, uses more product than your face needs, or affects nearby muscles, the way the eye and upper cheek move together can change. In some people, that can make existing upper-cheek creasing, hollowing, or a flatter-looking cheek more noticeable.

This is one reason crow’s-feet Botox needs to be individualized. A thinner face, less volume around the eyes, longer crow’s-feet, or different smile patterns can all affect how the area responds.

See this real before-and-after example of cheek hollowing and wrinkling after crow’s-feet Botox.

In this patient’s case, Dr. Sarah Hart corrected the problem with a small amount of dermal filler and then used a lighter dose of Baby Botox.

If you notice new upper-cheek lines, hollowing, or a change in your smile after Botox, I’d go back to the injector who treated you so they can see how your face is moving and whether placement or dose may have played a role.

That’s also why it’s important to use a qualified, experienced injector who understands facial anatomy and doesn’t use the same Botox pattern or dose on everyone.