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What's more, you can elevate the eyebrows, which tend to sink down over time. This lifts a bit of skin on the upper eyelid, opening up the eyes. By relaxing the “frown” muscles between
the brows, along with certain parts of the orbicularis oculi muscle along the eyebrow, which drag the brows down, the forehead muscles can pull up. “You're sort of changing the dynamic
between the pull-up and pull-down muscles,” Biesman says. PAIN: Injections aren't particularly painful for most people. You can expect a slight pinch. RESULTS: That smooth look
doesn't appear instantly. “Botox takes time to settle in,” Biesman notes. “Typically, the onset of the effect is three to five days after the injection, though for many it can take up
to two weeks to see maximum results.” And keep in mind, results will vary, depending on the depth of your wrinkles. “If the lines are deep and prominent when the face is at rest — without
contracting or furrowing the muscles — Botox is not going to take them away,” Biesman says. “You'll probably need to use some filler, as well." RECOVERY: You can resume your
regular schedule right after treatment. One caveat: Steer clear of the gym for 24 hours after the procedure. Strenuous exercise can result in bruising and, in rarer cases, cause the Botox to
shift to other areas of the face. LONGEVITY OF RESULTS: “Studies show that Botox wears off about 30 percent every month,” Glick says. “That means, at three months about 90 percent of it has
worn off. That's when patients look in the mirror and think, _Oh, my eyes are a little bit droopy now. I see my crow's-feet again._” COST: Between $200 and $800 per session,
sometimes more TAKE NOTE: “I've been injecting Botox for 31 years and still think it is one of the trickiest procedures we do,” Biesman says. “People can respond differently to similar
doses of the drug. If it's poorly done, you could end up with a lopsided appearance, drooping of an eyelid or an eyebrow, or both.” And, Biesman notes, “As opposed to, say, hyaluronic
acid fillers, which can be dissolved if you don't like how something looks, Botox can't be removed or reversed.” You have to wait it out — typically 10 to 12 weeks — until the
neurotoxin wears off. TIP: Many coupon services run deals for cheap series of Botox. Resist those too-good-to-be true deals. The Botox they're using could be expired. What's more,
says Lupo, “if you go to a place that has really cheap Botox, the odds are, they get bootlegged products and buying it illegally off the internet — and “they're doing other things that
are not the standard of care of a medical facility.” Also, there is an artistry involved in the technique, so be sure your physician is highly experienced. LASERS Ablative lasers, such as
the CO2 (or carbon dioxide) laser, use high energy levels to treat fine lines and wrinkles, tighten sagging skin and eliminate age spots caused by sun damage. “Many people think that
ablative CO2 resurfacing around the eye is probably the most effective procedure, short of surgery,” Lupo says. With this skin-resurfacing technique, short, concentrated pulsating beams of
light are directed at wrinkled or discolored skin, removing upper layers of skin, one thin layer at a time. During healing, the skin that takes its place is firmer and smoother. One
advantage is the precision that a laser offers: “I can make changes in the amount of energy I'm delivering in a very precise manner,” Biesman says. “I'm frequently adjusting the
various parameters in the laser, depending on what part of the lid that I'm treating, to get the best results, while avoiding complications.” PAIN: Usually, a topical numbing anesthetic
is used to tame discomfort, though some people may experience a mild prickling, itching or burning sensation. “We're usually very good about numbing or sedating the patient,” says
Lupo, who points out that the eye area tends to be one of the less painful areas of the face to treat. RESULTS: It depends on the type of laser, the laxity of the skin, and the repair
you're trying to achieve. Most people need only one procedure, says Lupo, “but if you have severe wrinkles around the eyes, you might do one and get a certain amount of improvement,
then, maybe six to 12 months later, you might do a second one.” RECOVERY: In the few weeks it takes to recover, your skin will be red and swollen (like a nasty sunburn) and may be itchy and
peel, or, sometimes, blister or ooze. During this period, protect skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen and keep it well moisturized with a gentle topical, such as Aquaphor or Vaseline.