A crow’s feet consultation compares the outer eye at rest and through a natural smile, then considers skin quality, lower-lid and cheek movement, eye comfort, health history and the expression you want to keep. Corey uses that full picture to explain whether a cosmetic discussion is appropriate, whether another clinician should help first, or whether leaving the area alone feels right.
Start with the moment you notice it
Perhaps the lines appear only in a full smile. Perhaps one stays visible when your face is relaxed, or the concern is really lower-lid texture, a shadow or cheek movement. Showing Corey the exact feature and the expression that brings it out makes the consultation immediately more useful.
There is no ideal of a line-free smile to meet. The aim is to understand what you see, how you feel about it and which parts of your natural expression matter to you.
What are you hoping to understand?
Lines that arrive with your smile
Corey can watch how the outer eye, lower lid and cheek move together through a gentle and fuller smile.
A line that remains
A resting crease may involve skin quality as well as movement, so it deserves a different conversation.
The concern sits below the eye
Lower-lid bunching, shadow, texture or cheek movement can look like the same issue in a mirror or photograph.
Your eyes feel dry or irritated
Eye symptoms and eyelid function change the priority and may point to an eye-health review first.
Corey compares movement, rest and context
A still photograph captures only one moment. Corey looks at the area with a neutral gaze, a gentle smile and a fuller smile, paying attention to symmetry and the way the lower lid and cheek join the movement.
He also asks about skin quality, previous care and when the concern became noticeable. Consistent photographs may help document the pattern, but filters, lighting and close crops can distort it; the examination and your own account carry more weight.
The muscle around the eye contributes to expression and eyelid closure. That functional context is supported by the orbicularis oculi anatomy review indexed by PubMed, and is one reason the appointment considers more than the line itself.
What can the consultation clarify?
Which feature you are seeing
Separate smile movement from a resting crease, nearby anatomy or a skin-quality concern.
What feels like you
Describe the smile movement and character you want any future discussion to respect.
The most useful next step
That may be a treatment discussion, skin care, more time, eye or medical review, or no cosmetic plan.
Eye comfort belongs in the conversation
Tell Corey about dry, gritty, watery or irritated eyes, contact lenses, trouble closing an eyelid, recent eye surgery, facial nerve problems or current care from an optometrist, ophthalmologist or GP. These details do not decide the outcome on their own, but they can change what should happen first.
Sudden visual change, significant eye pain, a new eyelid droop, inability to close the eye, marked swelling, injury or rapid deterioration needs prompt medical or eye care rather than a cosmetic appointment.
Bring a few useful details
| Bring or notice | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| The exact feature | Point to it in a mirror and show whether it appears at rest, smiling or squinting. |
| Your eye and health history | Include symptoms, contact lenses, medicines, allergies, prior eye procedures and previous cosmetic care. |
| What you want to keep | Ordinary, unfiltered photographs and a clear description of valued expression support a better conversation. |
What to expect at your visit
You will meet directly with Corey for a calm assessment that keeps your questions and natural expression at the centre.
Corey explains what appears to contribute, what remains uncertain and which next steps fit. If a cosmetic option is appropriate to discuss, suitability, material risks, alternatives and cost come before you decide; treatment is never assumed.
A consultation can finish with more clarity
Your next step may be a separate treatment discussion, skin care, time to think, records from another practitioner, an eye or medical review, or no further action. A booking does not create an obligation to proceed.
Current Ahpra guidance for non-surgical cosmetic procedures supports assessment of motivation, expectations, suitability and informed consent. On this page, that means a decision shaped around you rather than around a close-up photograph or a preset plan.
If you want to keep reading, see how suitability is assessed or continue to the separate outer-eye service discussion.
Come in with a question, leave with a clearer next step
Meet Corey to understand what you are noticing, what you want to preserve and whether any further discussion would be useful.
Is this for you?
Consider booking a consultation if
- Adults wanting the outer eye assessed at rest and through several expressions
- People able to disclose relevant eye, health and previous care history
- Adults willing to discuss the smile movement they want to preserve
- People open to eye review, waiting or no cosmetic plan
This may not be for you if
- Anyone seeking diagnosis or urgent care for an eye symptom
- People expecting a normal smile to have no visible lines
- Anyone unwilling to discuss ocular history, function or uncertainty
- People assuming a booking confirms same day care
Suitability is confirmed at consultation. This list is general guidance, not a substitute for clinical assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Are crows feet always a sign that something needs treating?
No. Lines at the outer eye commonly appear as part of smiling and squinting. A consultation can distinguish movement lines, resting creases, skin quality and neighbouring concerns, but the presence of a line does not create a clinical need for cosmetic care.
Why compare a gentle smile with a full smile?
The two expressions show different degrees of outer eye, lower lid and cheek movement. Comparing them with a neutral gaze helps Corey understand the pattern. It does not decide suitability by itself or mean that normal expression should be reduced.
Why does dry eye history matter in an aesthetic consultation?
The muscle around the eyelids contributes to closure and tear movement, so dryness, irritation, watering, contact lens intolerance or eyelid closure problems are relevant history. Persistent or unexplained symptoms may need assessment by an optometrist, ophthalmologist or GP before cosmetic planning.
What if the concern is actually under my eye?
Point to the exact feature and show when it appears. Lower lid bunching, a hollow, shadow, cheek movement, skin texture or brow position can be mistaken for an outer eye line concern. Corey can clarify the assessment question and whether another pathway is more appropriate.
Can a consultation preserve my smile expression?
Preserving expression should be discussed explicitly. Tell Corey which movement feels recognisable and important to you. The responsible conclusion may be a conservative discussion, more time or no cosmetic plan when the balance does not match your preference.
Which eye symptoms need another clinician first?
Seek prompt care for sudden visual change, significant eye pain, new eyelid droop, inability to close an eye, marked swelling, injury, persistent symptomatic redness or rapid deterioration. Ongoing dryness, irritation or watering also deserves appropriate eye health assessment.
What should I bring to an outer eye consultation?
Bring medicines, supplements, allergies, relevant diagnoses, eye symptoms, contact lens use, prior eye procedures, cosmetic care dates and useful records. Ordinary unfiltered images may help show change over time. Also write down what expression or function you want to preserve.
Does booking mean care will happen on the day?
No. The booking reserves assessment time. The visit may lead to education, documentation, skin care discussion, an eye or medical review, waiting, a later decision or no cosmetic plan. Same day care cannot be assumed before assessment and informed consent.
How is this different from a forehead or frown line consultation?
This page focuses on the lateral eye during smiling, squinting, blinking and eyelid closure, including lower lid and cheek interaction. Forehead and frown assessments examine different muscle patterns, concerns and balances. Each page should answer its own movement question.
Clinical references
- Ahpra: Performing non-surgical cosmetic procedures
- Ahpra: Do and do not guide for non-surgical cosmetic procedures
- TGA: Advertising health services involving therapeutic goods
- PubMed: Anatomy of the orbicularis oculi muscle
- PubMed: Smiles and lateral orbicularis oculi activity
- Ahpra: Public register of practitioners