While you may not like noticing them in the mirror, those little wrinkles that form around your eyes are a common sign of aging. Known as crow’s feet, those small creases that materialize on the outer corners of your eyes appear due to repeated facial movements such as squinting and smiling. Various types of treatments may help minimize the appearance of these facial wrinkles.
Considerations
The area around your eyes contains the thinnest layer of skin on your face. Additional thinning of the skin around your eyes can occur when you expose your skin to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. This exposure can damage your skin’s elastin proteins and collagen fibers.
Topical Creams
Topical creams for crow’s feet include over-the-counter products and prescription medications. Regular use of moisturizers can help improve the appearance of your crow’s feet by temporarily hydrating your skin. Eye creams, gels and lotions contain various ingredients such as vitamin C, plant extracts, alpha hydroxy acids, polypeptides and topical retinoids. Use only products specifically labeled for use near your eyes to treat your crow’s feet.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is an effective treatment for fine lines around your eyes. Laser resurfacing is a procedure that uses an intense beam of light to remove areas of skin, allowing new skin to replace the old. The procedure normally takes less than a couple of hours and can leave your skin feeling raw for a week or two. Depending on the extent of your wrinkling, you may notice an immediate improvement in your skin that gradually continues for 6 to 12 months.
Botox
Botox treatments are injections that use botulinum toxin to paralyze the muscles that cause crow’s feet. This type of temporary treatment can keep you from squinting and making other expressions that may cause your skin to wrinkle around your eyes. This procedure does not require a lengthy recovery time and you’ll see the results in about a week. The effects of Botox usually last about three months.
Precautions
While treatments that reduce the appearance of your crow’s feet may enhance your eyes for a time, new wrinkles can appear as your skin continues to age. Protect your skin around your eyes from premature aging by shading your face with the brim of a hat or a large pair of sunglasses whenever you go outdoors. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher.
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