Crow’s feet are those fine lines that appear in the outer corners of the eyes. Known as “dynamic” wrinkles, these creases typically become visible when you make facial expressions like smiling or squinting. While most of us accept crow’s feet as a natural part of the aging process, there are ways to ward off their appearance until later in life.

Why Crow’s Feet Occur

There are some very specific functions that lead to the formation of crow’s feet. The first involves collagen production. During our younger years, the body produces ample collagen and elastin to support the underlying structure of the skin and keep it soft and supple. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen and elastin, leading to thinner skin, loss of elasticity and the formation of facial wrinkles.

Those changes are especially apparent in the delicate skin around the eyes. In addition, less elastin means the skin cannot bounce back as effectively from facial expressions like squinting and frowning. This leaves those small creases in the outer eye to become a permanent fixture on your face.

Your Skin and the Sun

While part of aging occurs due to natural processes in the body, there are also external factors that can accelerate the process. One of the biggest culprits is sun exposure, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of the visible signs of aging on your skin. While sunscreen can help prevent some of that damage, it can only go so far in protecting that delicate, sensitive area around your eyes.

Sunglasses may be your best defense against sun damage that leads to the formation of crow’s feet and other wrinkles around the eyes. In addition to sun exposure, constant squinting against the bright rays can increase your risk for developing those permanent lines. Sunglasses eliminate both the problem of UV exposure and too much squinting, as long as you choose lenses that offer full UV protection.

Treating Crow’s Feet

If you already have visible crow’s feet you would like to minimize, help is available today. At Incredible Veins Skin and Body, we offer a variety of procedures to help you reduce the appearance of crow’s feet and achieve a more youthful look around the eyes:

• SmartSkin CO2 Fractional Laser – This treatment combines skin resurfacing and collagen production to create smoother, long-lasting results around the eyes.
• CoolTouch Laser – This non-invasive device is considered the “gold standard” for treating fine lines and facial wrinkles.
• Botox injections – Botox works to minimize the appearance of crow’s feet by relaxing the facial muscles that lead to their formation.

Crow’s feet may be an inevitable part of the aging process, but the good news is you have plenty of options in minimizing these telltale lines today. To learn more about these cosmetic treatments, contact Incredible Veins Skin and Body at 818-446-2995.