What are Crow’s Feet?

As we get older, all kinds of lines and wrinkles start to appear on our bodies – particularly on the exposed skin around our faces and necks, it’s a natural part of the aging process, but that doesn’t mean we have to enjoy it. Crow’s feet are a specific nuisance to many people, generally because they occur when we make certain facial expressions – not something we can really control, and eventually these fine lines become more obvious indentations at the sides of our eyes, appearing like a birds footprint, hence the name ‘crow’s feet’. This type of wrinkle can really age a person, and is exacerbated by lifestyle choices or unhealthy habits, but there are some ways of making them appear less pronounced, firstly by looking at what causes our skin to become dry and lined.

What causes crow’s feet to form?

The sun – Everyone likes a bit of sunshine, it makes us feel happier and healthier, as well as giving us that attractive summer glow, but at the same time it dries out our skin, making it look cracked and leather-like. People who spend more time outdoors or who live in a very warm country are more at risk than those of us who spend the majority of our time in the UK – where sunshine is not all that common. However, even a few hours in the sun can cause severe damage to our skin, so make sure you pack sunscreen that is SPF 30, or higher, and always keep protective clothing handy, sunglasses are particularly useful for avoiding crow’s feet.

Smoking – Aside from its many negative qualities, smoking is very bad for your skin, it dries it out considerably, preventing the moisture-retaining layers from refreshing the collagen, which is what allows the skin to spring back into shape after we form an expression. You can always tell a long-time smoker simply by looking at their hair and face, the skin around the mouth is usually puckered and wrinkled, from constant dragging on a cigarette, and they have deep crow’s feet at the sides of their eyes, from years of squinting as the smoke billows into their face. It doesn’t sound like a very harmful activity, as far as wrinkles go, but if you imagine squinting for several minutes at a time, thirty or forty times a day – perhaps more, it’s definitely going to do some long-term damage to your appearance.

Sleeping positions – Although it has been suggested that sleeping with some weight on your face can contribute to crow’s feet, there’s not much you can do to avoid this problem – unless you’re prepared to stay awake constantly or sleep in an uncomfortable position. It’s likely that long periods of weight on areas of your face is going to contribute to facial lines, but for the most part, it’s a symptom of aging, and not something you can conceivably avoid.

Aging – Whether we like it or not, it’s going to happen to all of us; there’s no way your skin is going to retain moisture when you are fifty, in the same way that it used to when you were twenty. There’s nothing wrong with a few facial wrinkles, in fact, most people would agree that it gives a person character and makes them seem more approachable, human even. The point is that the best thing you can do for yourself is to look after your skin and health in general, and learn to embrace your face as it is.

How can I get rid of crow’s feet?

Unfortunately, some people suffer with lines more than others, and it can have a detrimental effect on self-confidence, even if the problem doesn’t seem to be that obvious to others. There’s nothing you can do to turn back time, but if your wrinkles are making you really uncomfortable, you could try some over the counter remedies, or invest in one of several professional treatments that can help reduce their appearance.

Professional treatments include dermal injections, such as Botox, are designed to smooth out the skin and get rid of fine lines. Botox works by essentially freezing the muscles in the face, pulling the skin taut; this is a very popular procedure and can create a natural-looking, fresh complexion, when used appropriately. Dermal fillers, such as collagen injections, work using acids that occur naturally in the human body to replenish the skins moisture content, keeping it looking young and supple. Or you could try laser resurfacing, if you have extensive wrinkling that makes you look much older than your years, this treatment removes the outer layer of skin to reveal a more youthful, healthier layer beneath it. Be careful if you request this procedure though, it can make your skin quite sore and sensitive for some time after, and you won’t be allowed to go out in the sun for several weeks – although, the long-term benefits are thought to outweigh these side effects. For more information about skin procedures, make an appointment with the Pearl Dental Clinic, or simply give them a call to enquire about the various treatments on offer.

If you’re not keen on the idea of injecting something into your face, and you’re not quite ready to start nipping and tucking, there are a few ways you can reduce the appearance of crow’s feet in your own time, without the need for a visit to the clinic. Anti-wrinkle creams are very popular, and some have proven to be very effective against new wrinkles, as well as reducing the appearance of deep lines to some degree. Don’t believe everything the adverts tell you, they don’t work miracles, but the top-end products have a good level of scientific research behind them. They can’t get rid of lines altogether, but they do help to moisturise the skin and keep it supple, which is the key to avoiding wrinkles. Another way to help improve the appearance of crow’s feet is to take a look at your diet and make sure you’re getting enough moisture and vitamins on a daily basis. Fruits and vegetables that contain anti-oxidants are very good for your health and will give your skin a boost.