How to Fix Crow's Feet

Facial expressions, such as squinting, can encourage the development of crow's feet.

Crow's feet are the clusters of wrinkles that appear around the outer corners of eyes as skin ages and loses elasticity. They are often referred to as laugh lines because they can be caused by eye squinting over time. Because skin around the eyes is very thin, it loses collagen more quickly and tends to wrinkle more easily. To reduce the appearance of your crow's feet, try a few over-the-counter products and consult with a dermatologist to discuss your options.

Things You'll Need

• Eye cream
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Hat

Instructions

1. Apply a moisturizing eye cream to the area. According to Glamour, you should look for a product that contains retinoids (to stimulate the growth of new cells) and peptides (to help increase the production of collagen). Your eye cream also should contain antioxidants, which help fight wrinkles by combating skin-damaging free radicals.

2. Apply a sunscreen to your entire face every day. Sun damage to the skin can encourage wrinkle development. Some facial moisturizers include sun protection. Some products are even designed especially for the eye area to minimize irritation.

3. Wear sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat, especially during summer months. A hat can help reduce sun exposure to your facial skin. Sunglasses can help prevent you from squinting in the sun, which can worsen your crow's feet.

4. Use a product that contains glycerin and hyaluronic acid to temporarily reduce the appearance of your crow's feet. An eye cream with these ingredients may temporarily increase the elasticity of your skin.

5. Consult your dermatologist if these over-the-counter remedies are insufficient for you. You may wish to consider Botox injections, dermal fillers, laser procedures or chemical peels to reduce the appearance of your crow's feet. Understand all the risks of these procedures beforehand.

6. See a licensed acupuncturist if you prefer to avoid cosmetic procedures. Acupuncture may help stimulate collagen production, which may decrease wrinkles and enhance skin tone. According to U.S. News & World Report, you'll likely need at least 10 to 15 sessions to notice an improvement.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid smoking, as it causes premature wrinkles.

References

• Glamour: Tricks for Fighting Wrinkles
• U.S. News & World Report: Acupuncture for Crow's Feet
• Real Self: Crow's Feet Overview

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Mayo Clinic: Wrinkles Overview