Crow’s feet wrinkles are a result of muscle movements. When you’re young, your skin is strong and springy, so it creases when you use the muscles around your eyes but quickly smoothes out when you relax. However, as you age, your skin loses firmness and elasticity, causing those creases to settle into visible wrinkles.

Let’s dive into the effects of age on your skin. As your skin ages, the collagen – the skin’s structural protein – gradually degrades, providing less support. Simultaneously, the level of elastin, the protein responsible for your skin’s elasticity, drops as well. So, your skin becomes less taut and bouncy.

But that’s not all. The subcutaneous layer – the lower layer of skin in your face – loses fat over time, leading to less plumpness and volume. To add to that, your facial bones also lose some of their bulk through bone resorption. All this combined causes your skin to hang loose, much like a deflating balloon.

So remember, understanding the factors contributing to skin aging can help you take better care of your skin and effectively address those crow’s feet wrinkles.

Crow’s feet wrinkles typically begin to appear before the age of 30, although this can vary depending on genetic factors and skin care habits. These wrinkles are often among the first lines to develop on the face due to the frequent facial expressions involving the eyes. The skin around the eyes is particularly susceptible to wrinkling as it is both thinner and drier compared to other areas of the face. This combination of factors makes the skin prone to quicker wrinkling.

The muscle responsible for crow’s feet is called the orbicularis oculi muscle. This muscle, named for its ring-shaped structure (orbicularis) and its association with the eyes (oculi), surrounds the eye socket. When the orbicularis oculi muscle contracts, it pulls the skin inward towards the eyes, resulting in wrinkles, particularly at the corners of the eyes.

Understanding how the orbicularis oculi muscle contributes to the formation of crow’s feet can help us also understand why these wrinkles occur. By taking care of this muscle and adopting appropriate preventive measures, we can potentially minimize the appearance of crow’s feet and maintain a youthful look.

Maintaining a smile is key, as stopping would be unfortunate and won’t do your crow’s feet any favors. It’s not just smiling, though – squinting, frowning, and any other activities that contract your orbicularis oculi muscle can contribute to the appearance of crow’s feet. Even a simple blink, something most of us do around 20,000 times daily, works the orbicularis oculi and affects your skin in the long run. Stay aware of these factors as you strive for beautiful, youthful-looking skin.

To prevent or reduce crow’s feet, consider the following tips:

Skincare is crucial for the delicate eye area. Start using skincare products before crow’s feet lines become visible. Avoid heavy, oily creams that can lead to clogged pores. Instead, opt for lightweight moisturisers and hyaluronic acid serums to keep the skin hydrated. You can also try hydrating eye-mask patches for a quick boost.

Protect your eyes by applying sunscreen around the eye area. The skin around the eyes is susceptible to aging, so make sure to choose a fragrance-free sunscreen if you have sensitive eyes.

If standard skincare products don’t provide enough hydration and smoothness, consider using a specialised eye cream. Olay’s Pro-retinol Eye Cream and iS Clinical’s Youth Eye Complex are recommended by many experts.

Oversized sunglasses not only make a fashion statement but also offer extra protection for your eyes. They help block out more of the sun’s harmful rays, which can accelerate wrinkle formation.

Avoid sleeping on your side as it can press your face into the pillow, leading to skin dehydration and the formation of lines. Consider using a slippery silk or satin pillowcase to reduce this effect.

When preventive measures fall short, there are various treatments available to help diminish crow’s feet wrinkles. Refer to the ‘What is best for crow’s feet wrinkles?’ section below for more information on effective treatments.

Stay proactive and maintain youthful-looking eyes with these helpful tips.

If you’ve noticed the early signs of crow’s feet wrinkles, there are temporary solutions available to minimise their appearance. However, as you age they may resurface. On the other hand, if your crow’s feet are already well-established, significant reduction is possible, although complete elimination may not be achievable.

Crow’s feet wrinkles may not be traditionally deemed attractive, but imagine what it would be like if your smile lacked any signs of life around your eyes. That would surely be odd!

Interestingly enough, research indicates that people perceive smiling faces with crow’s feet wrinkles as more genuine, spontaneous, intelligent, and appealing compared to those without them. So, it’s highly likely that your crow’s feet wrinkles are contributing to an image of heightened authenticity, spontaneity, intelligence, and attractiveness.