Under-Eye Wrinkles: Type Matters More Than the Device

Under-eye wrinkles respond differently depending on whether they only appear when you smile or whether they stay visible even with a relaxed face. Expression lines are usually approached with treatments that reduce muscle movement, while lines that persist at rest, often alongside thinning skin, are usually approached with treatments aimed at the dermis and its collagen response. Where you go matters less for the device list than for whether the clinic sorts the type first and builds a schedule around it.

Hello, I'm Dr. Kim Yeonjin, director of UH CELL Clinic's Gangnam location. If under-eye wrinkles are on your mind, try smiling broadly in front of a mirror, then letting your face relax. Whether the lines disappear or stay is the first clue worth noting before any consultation.

Wrinkles That Appear When You Smile

Lines at the outer corner of the eye tend to deepen with repeated contraction of the muscles around the eye. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Botox Cosmetic in 2013 specifically for temporarily improving moderate-to-severe crow's feet lines in adults, according to Medscape's 2013 report on the decision. Healio's coverage of the same approval added that the clearance rested on two placebo-controlled trials enrolling 833 adults, in which treated patients showed significantly greater improvement than those on placebo.

What Remains After the Expression Is Gone

Lines that stay regardless of expression, along with sagging from thinner under-eye skin, are usually influenced more by reduced elasticity and declining collagen in the dermis than by muscle activity. In these cases, lifting and elasticity-focused treatments such as Potenza, Ulthera, or Thermage can be considered as options. The under-eye area is one of the thinner areas of the face, so the depth and intensity of any energy-based treatment generally need a conservative setup. When both wrinkle types are present together, we plan the order and interval between treatments as one combined schedule.

Three Things Worth Sorting Out Before a Consultation

• Whether the lines only show when you smile, or whether they stay once your face relaxes
• The type and timing of any under-eye treatment you've had recently
• Your schedule after treatment and your return flight date

Why Where You Go Matters

Our Gangnam location builds a plan around an individual skin assessment rather than a fixed package. Japanese-, Chinese-, and English-speaking interpreting staff are on site, so you can describe your concern in your own language. The clinic is located on the second and third floors of UH FLAT SIGNATURE Gangnam. UHC hotel guests may choose one complimentary option after treatment, either a 30-minute oxygen chamber session or a vitamin IV drip; using both brings the vitamin IV to 55,000 KRW. Full conditions are posted on our promotion page.

My background includes a graduate degree from Seoul National University, residency training at Seoul National University Hospital, Allergan faculty status for Juvederm and Botox, Key Doctor recognition for Potenza and Ultherapy, and a lecturer role with the Korean Society of Clinical Cosmetic Medicine.

FAQ

Does the improvement from injections for crow's feet last permanently?

The FDA clearance itself describes a temporary improvement in crow's feet lines, and the effect fades as muscle movement returns. We recommend planning a maintenance schedule from the first visit.

What if my eyelid swells after treatment?

In the trials behind the FDA decision, eyelid swelling was the most common adverse reaction reported for crow's feet treatment. If swelling doesn't settle, or if it comes with pain or vision changes, avoid pressing on the area or applying compresses yourself and have it checked instead.

If my trip is short, when should I schedule treatment?

Because swelling is possible, scheduling treatment early in your stay gives it more time to settle before your flight home. Letting us know your departure date during the consultation helps us plan around it.

Individual skin response and recovery time vary. Please consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and a treatment plan specific to you.