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In a flap over Crow’s feet? Crowing tired of eye wrinkles? Read our quick guide to making those irritating crease marks migrate forever.
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Most of us are familiar with the term Crows feet but for the uninitiated they refer to the little lines that spread out from the corner of the eyes. Whether we’re laughing or frowning, squinting at the TV or smiling, we are constantly using the same muscles around our eyes and because the skin is so thin in this area, wrinkles are more likely to form. Most people assume Crow’s Feet are a sign of aging, but they can develop from your mid-twenties onwards.
Whilst Crow’s Feet are very common and develop naturally, things like smoking and sun damage, losing collagen and lack of moisture all play their part in helping the lines develop.
Before deciding on any treatment it’s important to work out what type of Crow’s Feet you have. They typically fall into two categories: dynamic and static.
Dynamic wrinkles are ones that show up when you are smiling and are caused by the movement of the muscles. Static wrinkles are ones that are present all the time, even when the face is at rest. Both are equally treatable.
Regardless of whether your lines are dynamic or static, most aesthetic practitioners will recommend a good skin care routine and there are some prescription and over the counter topical creams that will help. These creams work by being absorbed into the skin, replacing lost moisture and improving elasticity. Prescription creams are likely to be more effective as they will include active ingredients such as:
Retinoids. This term is used for vitamin A compounds, such as retinol and retinoic acid. These ingredients help repair sun-damaged skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Peptides. These molecules occur naturally in living organisms and are thought to stimulate collagen production. They have been shown to improve skin texture and wrinkling.
Hydroxy acids. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) include glycolic, citric and lactic acid. They are used to remove dead skin cells. Using an AHA product regularly prepares your skin so that it can absorb other products and stimulates the growth of smooth, evenly pigmented new skin. They have also been shown to be effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Coenzyme Q10. Protects the skin from sun damage.
Niacinamide. A potent antioxidant, this substance is related to vitamin B-3 (niacin) and helps reduce water loss in the skin and may improve skin elasticity.
Over the counter creams are more likely to include more naturally occurring properties such as Tea extracts. Grape seed extract and Vitamin C which are all thought to have an effect on wrinkles.
This skin care routine is not a quick fix and it can take around five months before you see noticeable results.
An incredible before and after photo following antiwrinkle injections for crow's feet by KB Aesthetics in London
Botox (Botulinum toxin type A) is particularly good for treating dynamic wrinkles as they limit the movement of the eye muscles. This treatment is particularly good for younger people who are only just starting to see the appearance of Crow’s Feet. Results are fairly instant and can last up to 3 months, after which you’ll need a top up.
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure with fast recovery time. A device with multiple tiny needles is rolled across the areas affected by crow’s feet creating tiny wounds. The body then works to heal the wounds and stimulates the production of collagen, better elasticity and tighter skin. This procedure is very effective for prevention of crow’s feet. It is also a good option for maintenance therapy when used alongside other treatments.
Dermal Fillers. Soft tissue fillers typically which contain collagen, fat or hyaluronic acid can be injected directly into the areas of crow’s feet and are great for static lines as they plump out the wrinkles from within. Fillers are an instant fix and have little to no downtime, but they don’t last forever, and you can expect to need a top up between 6 – 12 months depending on how fast your body breaks down the filler.
Chemical peels can improve the appearance of crow’s feet and promote younger, healthier looking skin. There are three different types of chemical peels, superficial, medium and deep peels. These peels should be carried out by a medically qualified practitioner who will advise you on which peel is the most appropriate for you and talk you through the after care.
Superficial peels are relatively painless and require little or no down time whilst deeper peels are more intense. For best results, superficial peels should be repeated every 2–4 weeks and medium-depth peels every 6–12 months.
Finally, laser resurfacing treatments have been known to the effective on crow’s feet. They work well on crow’s feet as they heat up and remove layers of skin and promotes collagen production. This Increased collagen production can help the skin around the eyes heal in a smoother, more even way. Laser treatment for crow’s feet is often followed up with Botox treatment to keep the area looking smoother and younger for longer.
If you're looking for someone to help treat your crow's feet then book in right here with a Glowday practitioner near you.
