Understanding Crow’s Feet: Causes, Solutions, and Prevention

Cosmetic injectors - BYGOLDEN

At BYGOLDEN, located in Parkdale, Victoria, we understand that many of our beautiful clients are seeking to reduce lines & wrinkles around their eyes.

Whether you’re noticing the initial signs of crow’s feet or dealing with more prominent lines, understanding their causes and exploring effective treatments can help you achieve a smoother, more refreshed eye area. Here’s a quick guide to navigating and addressing crow’s feet at BYGOLDEN.

What are Crow’s Feet

Crow’s feet, or the fine lines that appear around the eyes, are mainly caused by the repeated contraction of facial muscles, particularly the orbicularis oculi. Initially, these “dynamic lines” may only be visible when you smile or squint, but over time they can become “static lines” that are noticeable even when your face is relaxed.

As we age, our skin naturally loses elasticity, and the production of collagen and fat diminishes. External factors such as prolonged sun exposure and smoking can accelerate the formation of crow’s feet, particularly affecting the delicate skin around your eyes.

Crow's feet - Image

Factors Contributing to Crow’s Feet

Repeated Facial Expressions Frequent smiling, laughing, and squinting cause the muscles around your eyes to contract, creating creases in the skin. These lines can start as dynamic, appearing only with movement, but eventually become static and more visible at rest. As you age, the skin’s ability to bounce back decreases due to reduced collagen and elastin, leading to permanent wrinkles.

Sun Exposure While vitamin D is beneficial, excessive sun exposure can damage your skin’s collagen and elastin, which are crucial for a youthful appearance. UV rays weaken the skin’s defences and reduce elasticity, making it more prone to wrinkles. The skin around your eyes is especially vulnerable because it is thinner and has fewer oil glands.

Genetics You may be able to lay blame somewhere else, as your genetic makeup influences how your skin ages. If your parents or grandparents developed wrinkles early, you might be predisposed to similar changes. Genetics affect your skin’s ability to produce and maintain collagen and elastin, which can impact the development of wrinkles, including crow’s feet.

Smoking Smoking significantly accelerates the ageing process and contributes to the formation of crow’s feet. Studies indicate that smokers often exhibit signs of ageing comparable to that of non-smokers decades older. Quitting smoking can be one of the most impactful changes for your skin’s health and appearance.

How to Minimise Crow’s Feet

While you can’t avoid smiling or expressing emotions, there are practical steps to help maintain a softer appearance around your eyes:

Sun Protection Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily, regardless of the weather. Reapply regularly, especially if spending time outdoors. Sunglasses and hats can further protect the sensitive skin around your eyes.

Hydrate Keeping both your skin and body hydrated is essential. Drink plenty of water and use a hydrating eye cream specifically formulated for the delicate eye area to enhance moisture levels.

Quit Smoking If you smoke, quitting is crucial for preserving your skin’s health and reducing premature ageing. Seek support from groups, therapies, or professionals to help you quit effectively.

Eyeglasses If vision problems cause frequent squinting, consider prescription eyeglasses. Addressing vision issues can reduce squinting and help prevent the development of crow’s feet.

Professional Treatments for Crow’s Feet

For those seeking professional solutions, BYGOLDEN offers a range of advanced treatments to smooth and reduce the appearance of crow’s feet.

Muscle Relaxing Treatments Our targeted treatments involve administering a muscle-relaxing agent to soften crow’s feet and prevent them from deepening. This approach is effective for dynamic wrinkles caused by repeated facial expressions.

Skin Needling Our skin needling treatment stimulates natural collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production, addressing skin volume and elasticity. This treatment helps tighten the skin and smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

Rejuran® Rejuran is an advanced injectable treatment that uses polynucleotides derived from wild salmon DNA to enhance your skin’s regenerative abilities, resulting in a smoother and healthier complexion. It is particularly effective for improving the appearance of crow’s feet. Rejuran is also an exception product to reduce the appearance of undereye wrinkles & dark spots!

We are here to support you in finding the most confident version of yourself. If you’re unsure where to start or would like to discuss treatment options, schedule a consultation below.