Whatever you call them, laugh lines, character lines, or crow’s feet, we all get these less than flattering lines that form at the outside corners of the eyes. They start to appear in our twenties – earlier for people who don’t take good care of their skin, later for those who do. Either way, crow’s feet are inevitable as we age.
How Crow’s Feet Form
The skin on our face stretches and contracts thanks to the elastin in our skin. Elastin helps the skin return to its original form after being pulled or compressed – pretty important when you think about how much we move our faces. As we age, our skin loses its supple qualities as the production of collagen and elastin declines. Less collagen and elastin means less support and flexibility, making the skin more susceptible to fine lines like crow’s feet.
Treating Crow’s Feet
The first line of defense is to protect the skin from exposure to UV rays – the sun is enemy number one when it comes to the formation of crow’s feet. Daily sunscreen prevents collagen and elastin from breaking down and a quality pair of sunglasses will not only cut down on UVA and UVB exposure, they will prevent you from squinting. That being said, here are some more effective ways to delay the onset of crow’s feet, and treat the ones you already have.
Botox and Dysport
Botox for Crow's Feet - Before and After
One method of either treating, or preventing, crow’s feet is with injectable Botox or Dysport (similar to Botox). Both are considered the gold standard for preserving youthful-looking eyes because they halt movement of the muscles that lead to the formation of lines and wrinkles. Just remember, these products only smooth out wrinkles and cannot promote the production of collagen or elastin, the foundation of youthful, supple skin.
Laser
Another way to diminish the signs of crow’s feet is by resurfacing the skin with ablative fractional and CO2 lasers. These laser technologies are used to create textural changes around the eye, removing the top layer of damaged skin and promoting the production of collagen. The result is plumper skin with fewer lines and wrinkles.
Topical Treatments
- Mild exfoliators remove the build-up of dead skin cells and help with cell turnover, revealing younger skin.
- Hydrating creams and serums such as hyaluronic acid serums soften dry skin, fill in and smooth out wrinkles.
- Products like Roc Brilliance Eye Beautifier, a 2-step process, rejuvenates the skin around the eyes by reducing puffiness, dark circles and fine lines.
Related articles:
- Fraxel Laser Resurfacing (healthyskinsolutions.com)
- Delaying the Signs of Aging (healthyskinsolutions.com)
- Skin Rejuvenation (healthyskinsolutions.com)
- Boost Collagen With This Fabulous Kiwi Facial Cleaner (healthyskinsolutions.com)
- Creams for Dark Circles Under the Eyes (healthyskinsolutions.com)
