Lines around the eyes that appear only when you smile are not all flaws that need to be erased. Although lines may lessen when the expression disappears, the face’s vitality may change as well. First, it is necessary to distinguish between lines that crease only when the face moves and lines that remain even at rest, as this helps determine the intensity of treatment.
In a Vogue interview on October 20, 2026, Kendall Jenner said that women with crow’s-feet and smile lines are beautiful, sharing her thoughts on natural aging.[1] This does not mean that she has undergone a particular procedure. Rather, it raises the question of whether erasing every wrinkle and maintaining healthy skin are really the same goal.
How are smile lines different from fine lines around the eyes?
Lines that radiate around the eyes when the eye muscles contract during a smile are dynamic wrinkles. They usually become lighter when the expression relaxes. Conversely, when lines remain even with a neutral expression, static wrinkles account for a larger share, as repeated movement has been compounded by UV exposure, dry skin, and reduced collagen.
Rather than forcing a smile in front of a mirror, alternate between a relaxed face and a natural smile. Check whether the lines disappear, whether the skin’s surface looks rough or dry, and whether one eye closes more tightly than the other. A habit of squinting may also be caused by vision problems or sensitivity to bright light.
What can botulinum toxin change—and what can’t it change?
Botulinum toxin temporarily reduces signaling between nerves and muscles, easing strong contractions of the muscles around the eyes. The FDA’s BOTOX Cosmetic label includes moderate-to-severe lateral canthal lines among its indications, and the recommended injection sites and doses are based on the anatomy of the orbicularis oculi muscle.[2]
However, toxin does not correct dry flakes, pigmentation, or the causes of thinning skin. If the main concern is fine lines that remain at rest, strongly reducing muscle activity alone may make the eye area feel tight when smiling or make movement around the cheekbones feel unnatural.
The effect is not permanent. The FDA label states that effects for glabellar lines last approximately 3–4 months, while results around the eyes also vary according to the product, dose, and muscle use.[2] The safety and effectiveness of repeating treatment too frequently should be checked against the product labeling.
How should intensity be determined when you want a natural-looking eye area?
It is more precise to describe the goal not as ‘zero wrinkles,’ but as a state in which lines remain when you smile broadly and soften only when the face is relaxed. It is best to begin with a limited treatment area and a conservative intensity, then assess left-right movement after around two weeks and adjust if necessary.
Before treatment, check eyebrow height, eyelid drooping, cheekbone movement, and whether dry eye is present. Injecting the same amount at the same points based only on lines around the eyes may overlook an individual’s expression patterns. Key risks include bruising, headache, asymmetry, and drooping of the eyelid or eyebrow.[2]
What can be changed first through home care before treatment?
First, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends sunscreen and moisturizer as the starting points of basic anti-aging care.[3] Sunglasses provide UV protection and may also help reduce the habit of squinting.
Second, consistently use a moisturizer that does not sting the eye area. Moisturizing can reduce water loss from the skin and make shallow fine lines look less pronounced, but it does not eliminate muscle-related smile lines. Third, address the causes of eye rubbing first, such as contact lenses, allergies, or dry eye.
FAQ: Lines Around the Eyes
Can Botox around the eyes in your 20s be preventive?
Age alone cannot determine this. If there are no lines at rest and facial movement is not bothersome, there is little reason to begin treatment solely in the name of prevention. First consider whether repeated, strong contractions are actually a concern.
Will treatment erase your smile?
Not necessarily. Some movement can be preserved depending on the goal, dose, and injection sites. However, excessively weakening the muscles around the eyes can change the shape of a smile and movement beneath the eyes, so starting conservatively is important.
Dr. Kang Jeong-ha’s Recommendations
Priority 1 is to follow sun protection, moisturization, and no-eye-rubbing practices for four weeks, while recording photos of your neutral expression and smile in the same lighting. If you like the lines that appear only when you smile, choosing not to treat them is also a clear answer.
Priority 2 is to consider conservative botulinum toxin treatment around the eyes when strong movement causes lines to deepen even at rest. Seolleim Clinic currently provides wrinkle and lifting treatments, including botulinum toxin.[4] The reason to choose it is that it can directly reduce muscle-related wrinkles, but the possibility of bruising, asymmetry, eyelid or eyebrow drooping, and a temporary effect lasting several months must also be accepted.
Priority 3 applies when skin texture and dryness, rather than muscle activity, are the main concerns. In that case, instead of increasing toxin, begin with moisturizing care and nonsurgical management suited to the condition of the skin. Even if injectable skin boosters are considered, they should not be described as treatments that erase smile lines; they should be assessed as serving separate goals of skin texture and hydration.
The sequence is: ‘distinguish wrinkles at rest and when smiling → follow basic care for four weeks → reassess whether the remaining concern is muscle activity or skin texture → begin one necessary treatment at a low intensity.’ Naturalness does not mean doing nothing. Choosing to reduce only the bothersome areas while preserving the range of the face’s expressions can also be natural.
Sources
[1] Vogue · Kendall Jenner’s Simple Approach to Skin Care and Life · 2026-10-20
[2] U.S. FDA · BOTOX Cosmetic Prescribing Information · 2024
[4] Seolleim Clinic · Official Treatment Guide · Accessed 2026-10-22
Interesting Skin Stories for Healthy Skin
Drawing on 16 years of experience operating Seolleim Clinic in Gangnam and expertise in dermatological procedures, we explain practical skin-care methods for everyday life, along with engaging and approachable stories about dermatology inspired by celebrities, public figures, and television. Through professional knowledge and experience, we aim to help your skin look healthier and more radiant. We hope this series broadens your understanding of skin and helps you discover ways to care for yourself.
Dr. Kang Jeong-ha, Medical Director (Seolleim Clinic Gangnam)
