What are crow’s feet?

Crow’s feet are the small lines and wrinkles on the outside of the eyes that become visible during smiling, pinching or pulling with the eyes. These fine lines are caused by repeated movements of the eye ring muscle, combined with skin aging and sun damage. Initially, the wrinkles are visible only during expression, but as the skin becomes thinner, they may remain visible even at rest.

Crow’s feet are often associated with a friendly and expressive appearance, but can become deeper and be perceived as cosmetically distracting.

Causes of crow’s feet

• Mimicry through repeated smiling, pinching and focusing around the eyes.
• Skin aging due to decrease in collagen and elastin causing the skin to become thinner and less elastic.
• Sun damage from UV radiation that breaks down collagen and causes you to squeeze your eyes more often.
• Dryness and moisture deficiency because the skin around the eyes has few sebaceous glands and is more likely to show dryness lines.
• Hereditary predisposition, for example, thinner skin texture or stronger mimicry around the eyes.
• Lifestyle such as smoking, lots of alcohol, little sleep and prolonged stress.

Types of crow’s feet

• Dynamic crow’s feet only visible when you smile or squeeze the eyes.
• Static crow’s feet visible even when the face is relaxed.
• Deep lateral grooves larger lines running from the corner of the eye toward the temples.
• Drying lines superficial fine lines due to lack of moisture and a fragile skin barrier.

Crow’s feet by age: when do they occur and what can you do?

Crow’s feet do not appear in everyone at the same age. The depth and visibility depend on facial expression, skin type, hereditary predisposition and lifestyle. A different approach may be wise for each stage of life.

Twenties

At this stage, crow’s feet are usually still dynamic. They are visible only during laughter or pinching and disappear completely as soon as the face relaxes. However, heavy screen use, sunlight and laughter can cause the first onset of lines.

• Use sunscreen regularly.
• Wear sunglasses in bright light.
• Skin care with antioxidants and good hydration.
• Awareness of unnecessary pinching or frowning.
• Possibly a light botox treatment to prevent lines from becoming fixed in the skin.

Thirties

The first static crow’s feet may appear. The skin slowly loses collagen and elastin, making dynamic lines easier to stand.

• Muscle relaxants for dynamic wrinkles.
• Peelings or skin care focused on skin firming.
• Consistent sun protection around the eyes.
• Moisturizing eye care to reduce dryness lines.

Forties

Crow’s feet often become deeper, wider and more noticeable. Sun damage, lifestyle and hereditary factors now play a greater role.

• Botox to reduce muscle activity.
• Laser treatments to stimulate collagen and firm the skin.
• Skin care with vitamin A and vitamin C.
• Extra attention to hydration, nutrition and recovery.

Fifty years and older

The skin around the eyes becomes thinner and more fragile. Both dynamic and static crow’s feet are visible and the lines may extend to the temples.

• Combination of botox, laser and chemical peel.
• Collagen-stimulating treatments around the eyes.
• Intensive eye care with nourishing and firming ingredients.

Treatments for crow’s feet

At Ivy clinics, for crow’s feet we always look at the balance between muscle activity, skin quality and age. Often a combination treatment is most effective for a natural and fresh result.

Botox

Botox temporarily relaxes the eye ring muscle, making dynamic crow’s feet less visible and inhibiting future wrinkle formation. The effect is usually visible for several months.

Laser treatment

A fractional or other skin rejuvenating laser stimulates the production of collagen. This makes the skin firmer and can soften static wrinkles and deeper lines around the eyes.

Chemical peeling

A chemical peel around the eyes provides controlled exfoliation of the top layer of skin. This makes the skin smoother, fresher and may reduce fine lines.

Microneedling or RF-needling

Microneedling or radiofrequency needling involves creating tiny channels in the skin to stimulate collagen. This improves skin texture and makes wrinkles less deep.

Cosmeceuticals

Active skin care with vitamin A, vitamin C, peptides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide helps strengthen and hydrate the skin around the eyes. This supports the results of treatments and helps delay new lines.

Hydrafacial

A hydrafacial can be used to gently cleanse, exfoliate and intensively hydrate the skin around the eyes. This is especially appropriate for dry lines and a tired eye area.

Reduce and prevent crow’s feet

While crow’s feet can never be completely prevented, there is much you can do to reduce and slow them down.

Awareness of facial expressions

Many people squeeze the eyes while reading, driving, working behind a screen or under stress. By becoming aware of this and consciously relaxing the eye area regularly, you can reduce the strain on the skin.

Sun Protection

Daily use of a sunscreen around the eyes protects collagen and elastin from uv damage. This helps prevent new wrinkles and make existing wrinkles less likely to deepen.

Using sunglasses

Sunglasses with UV filter prevent you from having to constantly squeeze your eyes in bright light. This lowers the tension in the eye ring muscle and is a simple and effective way to inhibit the formation of crow’s feet.

Skin Care

A gentle yet active eye care with antioxidants, moisturizers and firming ingredients supports the delicate skin around the eyes. This helps reduce dryness lines and strengthen the skin barrier.

Hydration and lifestyle

Drinking enough water, a balanced diet, getting enough sleep and limiting alcohol and smoking contribute to a smoother skin texture and less visible wrinkles.

Which treatment suits you

Free, no-obligation consultation

Want to know what Ivy clinics can do for your crow’s feet? During a free, no-obligation consultation, the cosmetic doctor or skin therapist will assess your skin around the eyes. Together you will look at which treatment or combination of treatments best suits your needs and skin type, for a fresh and natural eye look.