Crow's feet

As Crow's feet the small wrinkles at the outer corner of the eye are colloquially known. Since their radial or star-like shape and arrangement are reminiscent of the feet of crows, this apt name was used. Another name for these wrinkles on the eye is laugh lines. However, this is usually the name given to the less pronounced preliminary stage of crow's feet.

What are crow's feet?

The skin around the eyes is very thin around sensitive. In addition, she is almost constantly in motion, with natural blinking and with all facial expressions. A ring-shaped muscle, the so-called orbicularis muscle, makes all these movements possible in the eye. Whether you're laughing or squinting - this muscle is constantly straining the delicate skin around the eyes.

With increasing age, the skin's elasticity decreases, it loses moisture and becomes brittle. This decreasing elasticity is responsible for the formation of laugh lines and crow's feet. In particular, the thin areas of skin, such as the skin on the eyes, are the first to be affected by wrinkles. Laugh lines are usually present at a very young age. If these wrinkles increase over the years, they are called crow's feet.

causes

Normal skin aging is mainly responsible for crow's feet. In the course of life, the skin loses elasticity, elasticity and fullness, it becomes dry and brittle. Wrinkles quickly form, especially in very sensitive areas of the house, where the skin is very thin and fine.

The skin on the eyes is also exposed to environmental influences on a daily basis. Cold and heat, solar radiation and environmental toxins put a lot of stress on the skin. All these factors favor the development of crow's feet.

In addition, the skin on the face is very much in motion, especially around the eyes. The skin is regularly wrinkled, of which visible traces remain at some point. The older we get, the more pronounced these wrinkles are.

The development of crow's feet is also genetically determined, some people tend to skin aging early and thus wrinkles.

Typical symptoms & signs

• Wrinkles at the outer corners of the eyes

Diagnosis & course

To diagnose crow's feet, a visual examination of the skin is necessary. Crow's feet are very easy to spot without examination equipment. There is no special diagnostic procedure for determining crow's feet; the doctor can easily see them with the naked eye.

When making the diagnosis, the shape of the wrinkles, their length and depth can be measured if desired. If the person concerned decides on a beauty treatment to soften the crow's feet, the before-and-after effect can clearly show what has improved through the therapy.

The moisture content of the skin can possibly be measured to clarify whether a lack of moisture is responsible for the formation of the wrinkles.

Complications

From a medical point of view, crow's feet do not lead to any further complications. They are seen as a natural process that develops in every person as they age. There are no health restrictions. For those affected, crow's feet are perceived as an optical flaw.

This applies to both women and men. They feel uncomfortable and old when they look in the mirror. Due to social conventions, they can fall into fear and panic. The natural aging process is a problem that becomes an emotional burden for some people. It is impossible for them to accept the process.

You fight him and invest a lot of money, time and energy to slow him down or stop him. If crow's feet appear, there is a possibility that these people will experience nervous stress and, in severe cases, a nervous breakdown. Psychological support is necessary. When treating crow's feet, substances are injected into the affected areas that prevent wrinkles from forming.

If the substances are intolerant, itching, skin changes or redness occurs. Nerve damage occurs and the skin becomes numb. The facial expressions are restricted. The crow's feet need regular treatment. There is a risk that addictive behavior will develop.

When should you go to the doctor?

Crow's feet are in themselves neither pathological wrinkles around the eyes that require treatment. Eye wrinkles are a natural sign of aging. As such, with advancing age, those affected only need suitable skin care, a diet rich in vital substances and sufficient fluid intake, which means above all the intake of sufficient drinking water. Luxury foods and long sunbathing should be avoided if you have a tendency to crow's feet.

For some people, however, crow's feet are so stressful that they consult a doctor. This can have professional reasons. Actors or TV presenters need to look presentable. A young and vital appearance can also be desirable in a managerial job. The doctor called in is either a skin specialist or a cosmetic surgeon. He can inject hyaluron into the crow's feet. This at least visually smooths the wrinkles around the eyes.

Eye wrinkles caused by facial expressions can also be subjected to a botox treatment by a cosmetic surgeon. However, this has the consequence that a rigid feeling occurs in the muscles around the eyes at the injected areas. The effects of the botox treatment last for about six months. Your doctor may advise you to stimulate the formation of collagen with a laser treatment. This is also said to reduce crow's feet. However, laser treatments are not entirely without risk. In the event of incorrect use, burns like sunburn can occur.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

Crow's feet don't need treatment. However, some sufferers are so bothered by this wrinkle formation that they absolutely want to reduce the wrinkles. Various options are available for this.

One of these methods is an injection of the wrinkles. A filling material is injected under the skin, the skin is padded and the wrinkles can be significantly reduced. E.g. Hyaluronic acid gel used.

The meanwhile well-known botox is also a way to make crow's feet disappear. This treatment with the active ingredient botulinum toxin temporarily weakens the muscle activity, thereby smoothing the skin. A face lift also removes the wrinkles around the eyes. However, this type of lifting is very rarely carried out solely on the basis of crow's feet. Usually other areas of skin on the face are tightened in the process.

Less invasive interventions are also possible to treat crow's feet. Special peelings can be used that encourage the skin to renew and thus ensure a smoother complexion. There are also many different eye creams available on the market that promise to reduce wrinkles around the eyes. Such preparations can certainly provide a better visual appearance. They will certainly not make deep wrinkles go away.

All these methods do not conjure up the crow's feet forever, after a while the wrinkles will reappear. Wrinkling is a normal phenomenon of aging that no one can hide from.

Outlook & forecast

The crows' feet are colloquially the wrinkles in the outer eye area that form when you squint your eyes from the corners of your eyes towards your temples. Depending on how our facial muscles are set up, when we laugh, when we are blinded by the sun, or when we cannot see properly in the semi-darkness, our eyes narrow to a greater or lesser extent, which creates these wrinkles that are reminiscent of crow's feet.

The depth of these wrinkles increases with age, but can be counteracted with creams, diet or, if so desired, surgery. The most important thing is to ensure that the skin around the eyes does not dry out, as sagging, dry skin wrinkles even deeper when activating the ring-shaped eye muscle called "M. orbicularis oculi".

Nature offers an alternative to the surgically used botox, a toxic agent that often changes the entire facial expression: Acmella Oleracea. Just a few drops of Acmella extract, applied directly to the skin or mixed into your usual day cream, have a similar, but not as radical, effect as botulinum toxin. The skin appears smoother and the muscles around the eyes can be less squeezed together. The effect lasts for several hours.

prevention

Home remedies ↵ for wrinkles In order to prevent crow's feet, regular skin care is essential. Special eye creams provide the sensitive skin of the eyes with moisture, which is generally essential for a healthy complexion.

But a healthy diet is also reflected in the complexion of the skin. Nicotine and alcohol consumption also have a negative effect on the skin. Smokers age faster than non-smokers. However, since the genetic disposition is also decisive for the formation of wrinkles, preventive measures are not equally effective for all people.

You can do that yourself

Crow's feet can be reduced with a few simple tricks and home remedies. First, it helps to keep the skin around the eyes healthy with enough sleep and plenty of fluids. Make-up removal is also important. A natural night cream supplies sensitive skin with all the important minerals while you sleep, without putting too much strain on it. In addition, face creams make the eye area appear much more rested and fresher. Lotions and creams with a lot of moisture are especially effective against crow's feet on the eyes. If in doubt, a face mask or chamomile application can also help.

Furthermore, crow's feet can be reduced by avoiding direct contact with the sun. Fruits and vegetables provide the skin with moisture and stimulate the metabolism. Acute help against crow's feet are warm teaspoons, which are placed on the eye area and stimulate the blood flow to the lymph. A gentle massage to the side of the bridge of the nose and under the eye area also promotes blood circulation and makes crow's feet disappear naturally. However, the most effective remedy for skin wrinkles around the eyes is a healthy work-life balance with sufficient exercise, a balanced diet and avoidance of stress.