Crow’s feet is the colloquial name for the small wrinkles at the outer corner of the eye. Since their ray-like or star-like shape and arrangement is reminiscent of the feet of crows, this apt designation came about. Another name for these wrinkles on the eye is laugh lines. However, this is usually the name given to the not so pronounced preliminary stage of crow’s feet.
What are crow’s feet?
Crow’s feet are colloquially referred to as the small wrinkles at the outer corner of the eye. The skin around the eyes is very thin around sensitive. In addition, it is almost constantly in motion, during natural blinking and also during the entire facial expression. A ring-shaped muscle, the so-called orbicularis muscle, makes all these movements on the eye possible. Whether laughing or squinting the eyes – this muscle continuously stresses the delicate skin around the eyes. With increasing age, the elasticity of the skin decreases, it loses moisture and becomes brittle. This decreasing elasticity is responsible for the development of smile lines and crow’s feet. Especially the thin areas of the skin, such as the skin around the eye, are the first to be affected by the formation of wrinkles. Smile lines are usually present at a fairly young age. If these wrinkles intensify over the years, they are called crow’s feet.
Causes
Normal aging of the skin is mainly responsible for crow’s feet. In the course of life, the skin loses elasticity, tone and fullness, it becomes dry and brittle. Especially on very sensitive parts of the house, where the skin is very thin and fine, wrinkles form quickly. The skin around the eyes is also exposed to environmental influences on a daily basis. Cold and heat, sunlight and environmental toxins put a lot of stress on the skin. All these factors favor the development of crow’s feet. In addition, the skin on the face is very much in motion, especially around the eyes. This regularly causes the skin to wrinkle, from which visible traces will eventually remain. The older we get, the more obvious these wrinkles are. The development of crow’s feet is also genetically determined, some people are prone to early aging of the skin and thus wrinkles.
Typical symptoms and signs
- Wrinkles at the outer corners of the eyes
Diagnosis and course
To diagnose crow’s feet, a visual examination of the skin is necessary. Crow’s feet are very easy to detect without examination equipment. There is no special diagnostic procedure to detect crow’s feet, the doctor can easily see them with the naked eye. When making the diagnosis, the expression of the wrinkles, their length and depth, can be measured if desired. If the person concerned decides to undergo beauty treatment to alleviate the crow’s feet, it is possible to clearly show what has improved as a result of the therapy by means of a before-and-after effect. Possibly, the moisture content of the skin can be measured to clarify whether a lack of moisture is responsible for the development of the wrinkles.
Complications
Crow’s feet do not lead to any other complications from a medical point of view. They are considered a natural process that forms in everyone as they age. Health restrictions are not present. For the person affected, crow’s feet are perceived as an optical flaw. This is true for both women and men. When looking in mirrors, they feel uncomfortable and old. Due to social conventions, they may fall into anxiety and panic. The natural aging process is a problem for some people, which becomes a mental burden. It is impossible for them to accept the process. They fight it and invest a lot of money, time and energy to slow it down or stop it. If crow’s feet set in, there is a possibility that these people will experience a nervous strain and in severe cases a nervous breakdown. Psychological care is necessary. During treatment of crow’s feet, substances are injected into the affected areas, which lead to prevention of wrinkle formation. In case of intolerance to the substances, itching, skin changes or redness occur. Nerve damage occurs and numbness of the skin develops. The facial expression is restricted. Crow’s feet must be treated regularly. There is a risk that addictive behavior will develop.
When should one go to the doctor?
Crow’s feet are not in themselves pathological or wrinkles around the eyes that require treatment.Eye wrinkles are a natural sign of aging. As such, with advancing age, those affected simply need suitable skin care, a diet rich in vital substances and sufficient fluid intake, by which is meant above all the intake of sufficient drinking water. Luxury foods and long sunbaths should be refrained from if you have a tendency to crow’s feet. For some people, however, crow’s feet are such a nuisance that they consult a doctor. This can have professional reasons. Actors or television presenters need to look presentable. Even in a manager’s job, a young and vital appearance can be desirable. The doctor consulted is either a skin specialist or a plastic surgeon. He can inject the crow’s feet with hyaluron. This smoothes the wrinkles around the eyes, at least visually. Eye wrinkles caused by facial expressions can also be treated by a cosmetic surgeon with Botox. However, this results in a rigid feeling in the muscles around the eyes in the injected areas. The effect of Botox treatment lasts for about six months. The treating physician may advise stimulating the formation of collagen through laser treatment. This is also supposed to reduce crow’s feet. However, laser treatments are not without risk. In the case of application errors, burns can occur, as in the case of sunburn.
Treatment and therapy
Crow’s feet do not need to be treated. However, some affected people are so disturbed by this wrinkle formation that they definitely want to soften the wrinkles. Various options are available for this purpose. One of these methods is injecting the wrinkles. A filler material is injected under the skin, the skin is plumped up and the wrinkles can be significantly reduced. For example, hyaluronic acid gel is used. Botox, which is now very well known, is also an option for making crow’s feet disappear. This treatment with the active ingredient botulinum toxin temporarily weakens muscle activity, thereby smoothing the skin. A facelift also eliminates wrinkles around the eyes. However, such a lift is rarely performed solely for crow’s feet. In most cases, other parts of the face are tightened. Less invasive procedures are also possible to treat crow’s feet. For example, special peelings can be applied to stimulate the skin to renew itself and thus ensure a smoother complexion. There are also many different eye creams available on the market that promise to reduce the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes. Such preparations can certainly provide for a better optical appearance. However, they will certainly not make deep wrinkles simply disappear. All these methods will not make the crow’s feet disappear forever, after some time the wrinkles will reappear. Wrinkling is a normal phenomenon of aging, from which no one can hide.
Outlook and prognosis
Crow’s feet are colloquially referred to as the wrinkles in the outer eye area that form when we squint our eyes from the corners of the eyes towards the temples. Depending on how our facial muscles are designed, we squeeze our eyes more or less when we laugh, when we are blinded by the sun, or when we cannot see properly in the semi-dark, causing these wrinkles reminiscent of crow’s feet to form. The depth of these wrinkles increases with age, but they can be treated with creams, diet or, if desired, with surgery. The most important thing is to make sure that the skin around the eyes does not dry out, as sagging, dry skin causes even deeper wrinkles when the ring-shaped eye muscle known as the orbicularis oculi muscle is activated. Nature offers an alternative to surgically used Botox, a toxic agent that often alters the entire facial expression: Acmella Oleracea. Just a few drops of Acmella extract applied directly to the skin or mixed into the usual day cream have a similar, but not as radical effect as botulinum toxin. The skin appears smoothed and the muscles in the eye area can be less contracted. The effect lasts for several hours.
Prevention
To prevent crow’s feet, above all, regular skin care is indispensable. Special eye creams provide the delicate skin around the eyes with moisture, which is generally absolutely necessary for a healthy complexion.But a healthy diet is also reflected in the appearance of the skin. Nicotine consumption and the consumption of alcohol also have a negative effect on the skin. Smokers have a faster skin aging than non-smokers. However, since genetic disposition is also decisive for wrinkle formation, preventive measures are not equally effective in all people.
What you can do yourself
Crow’s feet can be reduced with some simple tricks and home remedies. First, it helps to keep the skin around the eyes healthy by getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of fluids. Removing makeup is also important. A natural night cream supplies the sensitive skin with all the important minerals during sleep without overloading it. In addition, face creams make the eye area look much more rested and fresh. Especially lotions and creams with a lot of moisture are effective against crow’s feet around the eyes. If in doubt, a face mask or chamomile application will also help. Furthermore, crow’s feet can be reduced by avoiding direct sun contact. Fruits and vegetables moisturize the skin and rev up the metabolism. Acutely, warm teaspoons applied to the eye areas help against crow’s feet and stimulate the blood circulation of the lymphs. A gentle massage to the side of the nose root and under the eye area also promotes blood circulation and makes crow’s feet disappear naturally. However, the most effective remedy for skin wrinkles around the eyes is a healthy work-life balance with sufficient exercise, a balanced diet and avoiding stress.