When you look in the mirror and notice wrinkles in the outer corners of your eyes for the first time it can be upsetting, but eventually, aging happens to all of us. Wrinkles and fine lines are part of getting older, but fortunately, with the right strategies you can decrease crow’s feet or even prevent them from developing.
Crow’s feet often begin to appear subtly at first, and without intervention, they could become deeper and more noticeable. In this article, we’ll discuss the causes of crow’s feet and look at some lifestyle and skincare solutions to help you eliminate them.
What is Crow’s Feet?
Let’s begin by describing what crow’s feet are, and in fact, you may have already seen them in the mirror. Crow’s feet are the tiny wrinkles that can show up in the outer corners of your eyes. Many people do develop them over time, but there are factors that can make them more or less likely to appear.
While it’s true that crow’s feet are a natural part of the aging process, there are ways to minimize their appearance. It really starts with understanding why they occur and using preventative strategies.
What Causes Crow’s Feet?
Why do we get crow’s feet? There are a couple of contributing factors, and before we discuss how to eliminate these lines we’ll first consider the causes. Prevention begins when you understand why crow’s feet develop.
1. Loss of Elasticity
Your skin is elastic, but over time it can lose some of its elasticity. While aging is the most common cause of elasticity decline, there are other possible reasons. The products you use in your skincare routine like creams, lotions, and serums, actually play a significant role in maintaining your skin’s elasticity. To preserve that elasticity try Stemuderm anti-wrinkle cream, it is a Dermatological Treatment that boosts collagen production and reduces fine lines, and wrinkles, hydrates and plums the skin".
2. Age
Aging is another major contributor to crow’s feet, and it’s a natural process that we cannot avoid. As you get older, your skin starts to become thinner and more vulnerable, and it loses elasticity. As this happens, you may see signs of aging appear including crow’s feet. A study published in the Journal of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery [1] notes that crow’s feet are a common indicator of aging.
3. Sun Exposure
Sunburn isn’t the only damaging effect that UV rays can have on your skin. Excessive sun exposure can significantly accelerate the aging process and make you more likely to develop crow’s feet. This occurs through a process called “solar elastosis”. In addition, researchers call premature aging due to sun exposure “photoaging” because UV rays impact your skin at the cellular level. This process can make you more prone to developing fine lines in the corners of your eyes.
4. Diet
Your diet also has a significant impact on your skin, although some people overlook this factor. Are you getting enough fluids? Is the food you consume rich in nutrients? Nourishing your skin from the inside out is a great way to improve its appearance and slow aging. However, a diet high in unhealthy foods like refined sugar and fat could do the opposite.
“At What Age” Do You Get Crow’s Feet?
Crow’s feet may begin to develop subtly when you’re in your mid-30s, however, people who take very good care of their skin might not get them until they are in their 40s. On the other hand, it’s also possible to develop crow’s feet in your 20s. There’s no specific starting age, which is why it’s essential to begin taking care of your skin as early as possible.
How to Reduce Crow’s Feet Around the Eyes
To get rid of crow’s feet, you have to understand the primary causes. While you can’t do anything about aging, you are in control of what you eat, how much you sleep, and the skincare routine you follow. Begin by considering the causes we’ve discussed to help you understand crow’s feet and the steps you should take to eliminate the problem.
When it comes to your diet, get rid of unhealthy foods filled with saturated fats, high sodium levels, and added sugar that are harmful and have little nutritional value. Choose healthier options instead that include quality proteins, healthy fats, and nutrients.
Next, look at your skincare routine. What products are you using? Get rid of anything that includes harsh chemical ingredients, as they can dry your skin and make you more prone to wrinkles. In addition, ensure that the skincare you use is suitable for your specific skin type.
Did you know that sleep also plays a role in skin aging? It’s true. Ensuring that you get at least seven hours of sleep every night may improve your skin health. It’s also a great way to get rid of under-eye dark circles due to poor sleep.
What Are the Key Considerations When Choosing An Eye Cream?
A couple of lifestyle changes can actually make a big difference when it comes to crow’s feet eyes. Yet, you’ll still need to keep a few other things in mind too. One of them is an eye cream. Using a high-quality eye cream not only helps you reduce the appearance of crow’s feet, but it can prevent new wrinkles - or, at least, delay them.
Sure, there are a lot of different eye creams on the market, but they’re not all the same. This makes it hard to find the right product when asking how to get rid of crow’s feet. So, let’s look at a couple of key ingredients and considerations you should look at.
1. Hyaluronic Acid
Hydration is really important if you want to keep your skin healthy, so the first thing you should look for in an anti-aging eye cream is hyaluronic acid. It’s one of the key ingredients in popular eye formulas like Eyevage because it’s so beneficial for your skin. Hyaluronic acid may effectively improve skin elasticity [2], decrease redness, moisturize, and reduce wrinkles.
So, if you’re asking what is crow’s feet and how to get rid of it, then start with this ingredient.
2. Antioxidants
Did you know you’ve got harmful compounds in your body right now? They’re called free radicals, and they cause oxidative stress. Free radicals can cause damage and even lead to premature skin aging. You should choose an eye cream rich in antioxidants, as they fight against free radicals to decrease damage. This may result in anti-aging benefits like reducing wrinkles around the eyes and preventing new ones from developing.
3. Sunscreen
Adding a product like Dermaxsol Sun Defence Daily SPF30 Daily Moisturizer to your routine can keep your skin moisturized throughout the day and protect it from UV exposure. Sunscreen helps to reduce photoaging, which means it’s not only useful for getting rid of crow’s feet. Apply it every day, and you’ll notice other anti-aging and skin health benefits.
4. Vitamin K
You’re likely already familiar with vitamins C, D, and E - but what do you know about K? While it’s mentioned much less frequently, Vitamin K is very important for skin health [3]. This nutrient helps fade dark circles, age spots, and hyperpigmentation, and it’s also rich in antioxidants which offer anti-wrinkle and other anti-aging benefits.
How to Apply Eye Cream
Remember how we mentioned that the skin around your eyes is delicate? For this reason, it’s important to be gentle when applying an eye cream or serum.
Take a small amount of the cream onto the tip of your finger. Gently massage it into the skin around your eyes. Make sure not to get any of the cream directly in your eyes, as it could sting!
How Often to Apply Your Eye Cream to Prevent Crow's Feet
If you want to prevent crow’s feet, you should apply an eye cream frequently. However, keep in mind that applying it too often could be too harsh on your skin. So, how often should you use it? It’s best to apply eye cream morning and evening during your regular skincare routine, as part of your strategy to remove wrinkles around the eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is crow’s feet permanent?
While crow’s feet can be permanent in some cases, there are ways to reduce their appearance or at least delay onset. If you don’t take steps to modify your lifestyle and skincare routine when crow’s feet first appear, they’ll be more difficult to reduce over time.
Does smiling too much cause crow’s feet?
Yes, it’s possible that repetitive facial expressions could cause crow’s feet, but frowning is more of a problem than smiling. In addition, other factors can increase your likelihood of developing crow’s feet.
Does moisturizing prevent crow’s feet?
Yes, a high-quality moisturizer can help to prevent crow’s feet. Before you buy, ensure that the moisturizer you use is suitable for the delicate skin around your eyes. Otherwise, you may end up doing more harm than good.
Conclusion
When crow's feet first appear, you may be concerned. Many of us work hard to hide wrinkles and lines when they develop, however, the good news is some methods can prevent and reduce crow’s feet and other aging indicators. Knowing what steps to take is a really good starting point. What if you’ve already got them? All hope is not lost. Simply follow the tips we shared!
References
1] ↑https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14504483/
2] ↑https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/hyaluronic-acid#benefits
3] ↑https://www.byrdie.com/vitamin-k-for-skin-4801332
Dr. Ahmed Zayad
Dr. Zayed, has years of experience in the field and has been contributing to public health awareness. Dr. Ahmed Zayed holds a baccalaureate of Medicine and Surgery. Egypt. Dr. Zayed believes in providing knowledgeable information to readers. His articles were featured on many websites like HuffingtonPost, Chicagotribune . Other than his passion for writing, Dr. Zayed spends his time outside the hospital, either reading or at the gym.
