Wrinkles and fine lines that radiate from the corners of the eyes are called crow’s feet. A normal occurrence in people with advancing years, these gradually appear as we age. There are those who get them early on, and there are those who do not till much later. In some, the lines and creases are particularly deep and long. In others, these are barely noticeable.
It is said by some that crow’s feet are caused by squinting, laughing, frowning, and other facial motions. It is also said that exposure to the sun and the thinness or dryness of the skin around the eyes cause them. The truth is that crow’s feet are a natural consequence of growing old; the so-called causes merely accelerate the process in which the wrinkles develop and aggravate their appearance.
Though the emergence of crow’s feet is inevitable, it is possible to delay their inception and reduce their severity. There are many methods by which this can be done; many more will be discovered or formulated with the advances of modern technology. It is helpful to know about these methods in order to hold off the appearance of one of the early signs of aging.
It is not possible to prevent crow’s feet from occurring but sensible practices will keep them at bay for a long time. One of these sensible practices is wearing good sunglasses and a hat when going out in the daytime to help minimize squinting when the sunlight is too bright as well as provide a sort of shield to protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun.
Applying a good moisturiser at night and a good sunscreen during daytime is another sensible practice. The former will help keep the skin hydrated by replenishing and locking in its moisture and lipid content. The latter will protect the skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun which not only aggravate wrinkles but cause skin cancer, premature skin aging, and age spots as well.
The skin around the eyes is thin and extremely delicate. This means that the skin around the eyes should not be rubbed or scrubbed and stretched too vigorously, as such handling will damage its structure. Astringents and other preparations that strip lipids should never be applied around the eyes. Aside from being too harsh, these could also cause eyesight problems. Eye make up should be selected and applied with care.
A healthy lifestyle goes a long way towards avoiding crow’s feet and keeping the skin young. Get lots of restful sleep, have plenty of good exercise, go to places where there’s lots of fresh clean air, avoid too much alcohol intake, and stop smoking. This will benefit not only your skin but your entire body as well, making you healthier and more vital. It’s a win-win situation.
There are anti aging creams specially made for the treatment of crow’s feet. These could contain retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, and other components that encourage skin renewal. For advanced cases of crow’s feet, non-surgical treatments such as Botox and Restylane injections are available. For those who can not opt for these types of treatment, there is laser resurfacing, chemical peeling, dermabrasion, and plastic surgery.
