Around the age of 30 or 40, you will probably notice fine lines and wrinkles forming on your face, especially around the eyes and forehead. One of the first types of wrinkles to appear is “crow’s feet,” which earned its name because, you guessed it, it resembles wrinkled, spreading crow’s feet. It’s part of the normal aging process, of course, but some people want to limit this tendency as much as possible. Wondering how to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet? While expensive treatments such as laser and botox can make a big difference in evening out your skin’s texture, this approach isn’t for everyone.
For those who prefer to tackle wrinkles in a less aggressive and more holistic way, lifestyle approaches that can help diminish the appearance of crow’s feet include: taking collagen protein, using topical ingredients such as retinol and vitamin C, and if you can, try microneedling.
What are crow’s feet?
Crow’s feet are wrinkles that form at the corner of the eyes and extend down the hairline and forehead. They are most marked when you smile or squint, two expressions that contribute to their formation. Although people of all ages can experience some degree of crow’s feet, older adults generally have more pronounced lines and wrinkles. The crow’s feet that we see in young people are “dynamic”, that is, they appear when the person moves their face. But in older people, crow’s feet are often both dynamic and “static”, that is, they appear even when the facial muscles are at rest. At what age do crow’s feet appear? Expression lines usually begin to develop in their 20s, and most people notice them by their 30s.
Are crow’s feet sometimes considered attractive?
Yes ! This brings up a good point: you don’t necessarily have to try to erase crow’s feet or fear them forming. Some people find that fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes are actually endearing and show a person’s character, as they indicate that the person smiles and laughs a lot.
Causes
What causes crow’s feet? Like other types of wrinkles, crow’s feet form naturally and normally when the skin around the eyes loses some of its volume and elasticity in certain places. Dryness, such as winter dryness of the skin, can also worsen the appearance of crow’s feet, as it reduces the plump appearance of the skin. Unfortunately, the skin around the eyes is generally thinner and drier than other areas of the face, which is why wrinkles tend to form here first.
Specific normal causes of crow’s feet include:
Repeated muscle and facial movements, including laughing, smiling, blinking, and squinting.
Normal collagen breakdown (loss of collagen protein in the skin)
The effects on the skin of excessive exposure to the sun (UVA and UVB rays) or tanning beds
Other forms of free radical effects, such as smoking and pollution.
Common treatments
Dermatologists treat crow’s feet in a variety of ways, including using dermal fillers, laser treatments, and botox injections. While these treatments can be effective in reducing the appearance of wrinkles and perhaps even decreasing the likelihood of new wrinkles forming, they are also expensive and usually unnecessary. Also, cosmetic treatments that involve the use of lasers, injections, and peels carry certain risks, such as negative reactions, redness, irritation, and even worsening of droopy eyes. Finally, when overused, wrinkle treatments tend to give your face a stiff, artificial look that isn’t very appealing.
Lifestyle approaches
How to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet and improve the elasticity of your skin? You can try these lifestyle approaches. As always, you should consult your doctor before beginning any diet or lifestyle.
1. Multiple collagen proteins
Collagen, a type of structural protein made up of linked amino acids, is responsible for the formation of connective tissues found throughout the body, including in the skin, joints and tendons. When it comes to helping fight the appearance of wrinkles such as crow’s feet, collagen is one of the best supplements to look for, as it helps keep skin firm, elastic, smooth, strong and uniform in texture. After age 30, our bodies naturally produce less collagen, and factors such as excessive sun exposure, pollution, and poor diet cause collagen loss. Collagen supplementation can therefore help provide the building blocks the body needs to create its own collagen and help reduce the appearance of crow’s feet. Many people who take collagen supplements regularly for several months notice that their skin generally looks firmer, plumper, more hydrated and healthier, instead of having the appearance of dry or “panky” skin. .
What is the best collagen for skin? Type I collagen is by far the most abundant type of collagen in the human body. It is made up of eosinophilic fibers that form the skin (dermis), contributing to its desirable stretchy and elastic qualities.
How long does collagen take to work? As mentioned, it may help make crow’s feet less noticeable and improve their appearance following four weeks of use, and improve skin tone following eight weeks of use.
2. Sunscreen
Although a certain amount of sunlight is beneficial to our health, since it helps us produce essential vitamin D, the majority of the negative effects on our skin are due to too much exposure to the sun. UVA and UVB rays emitted by the sun, as well as tanning beds, cause changes in our skin cells that can lead to unwanted wrinkles and discoloration. To prevent sun damage from altering your skin tone and texture, dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen with SPF 30+ on your face daily. Ideally, choose a mineral sunscreen that is not absorbed by the skin (like chemical sunscreens), but which settles on the skin and helps to bounce the rays.
3. Retinol
A number of skincare ingredients can potentially help improve and even prevent crow’s feet, with retinol being one of the most studied and recommended. Retinol is one of the most studied and recommended. Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, has multiple uses for skin health and appearance, including reducing fine lines and evening out skin texture and tone. There are different dosages and types of retinol to try on your skin; start with a low dosage (regarding 1-2% retinol) and use every other night on clean skin to allow your skin to adapt. Be careful when using retinol in the sun, as it can increase photosensitivity and burns. For even better results in improving the elasticity and “glow” of your skin, use a vitamin C serum and a niacinamide (or vitamin B3) serum in addition to retinol. However, you’ll want to test how your skin reacts when combining these anti-aging ingredients first, as together they can increase sensitivity.
4. Moisturizer
To plump up your skin and prevent it from hollowing out, always apply moisturizer to clean skin twice a day (morning and night, on top of other products like serums and retinol). Look for creams or lotions with moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and oils like argan, marula, and almond oils. Avoid those that contain dry, irritating ingredients like alcohol, parabens, talc, phthalates, and fragrances.
5. Microneedling
Microneedling, sometimes also called dermarolling, involves pricking the skin with tiny needles that stimulate the skin to temporarily increase inflammation, which is a normal bodily response.
This may seem like a bad thing, as inflammation usually makes the skin red, swollen and irritated; however, microneedling only triggers inflammation at the surface of the skin in a way that encourages it to repair itself. According to dermatologists, microneedling can promote skin growth factors and stimulation of fibroblasts and other collagen-producing cells, thereby improving skin elasticity. Microneedling can help diminish the appearance of crow’s feet and other fine lines, scars, large pores, and possibly deeper wrinkles. As it is possible to damage your skin if you perform microneedling incorrectly, seek help from a reputable dermatologist.
Other useful tips to help improve the appearance of crow’s feet and wrinkles:
Eat a nutrient-dense diet rich in antioxidants and other vitamins for skin health, including vitamin A, vitamin B3, vitamin C, and zinc.
Drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin from within.
Get enough sleep and manage your stress.
Exercise to stimulate circulation.
