Crow’s feet are naturally occurring wrinkles that spread from the corners of the eyes. Anytime you laugh, cry or make a funny face, the muscles around your eyes contract, and those contractions cause wrinkles.
The best way to prevent or completely get rid of crow’s feet is to never feel a human emotion ever again. Well, that’s not entirely correct. You can feel the emotion, you just have to somehow figure out a way not to react to it.
Before we go too in depth, here's the must-know info about crow's feet:
- Crow’s feet are caused by a breakdown of collagen and elastin as we age
- Chronic sun exposure can contribute to the appearance of crow’s feet in men
- Using products with peptides and SPF in them, like eye cream and face serum, can diminish the appearance of crow's feet
What Causes Crow’s Feet in Men?
Crow’s feet are generally caused by repetitive movement of the facial muscles.
Squinting from the sun and smiling are both repetitive motions that break down the collagen and elastic fibers in the skin, resulting in wrinkles around the eyes.
This breakdown in collagen and elastic fibers happens more as we age, particularly in men.
According to a 2013 study published in Dermatologic Surgery, wrinkles appear earlier in men than they do women and are usually more severe (see claim: “Wrinkles clinically manifest in men earlier and are more severe than in women.”)
Guys also have less bony support in the opening in the skull around their eyes. Less support in this area can lead to baggier eyes earlier in life.
Another major factor in the development of crow’s feet is UV exposure.
The skin around our eyes is already thin and delicate. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can damage the skin and lead to early development of wrinkles around the eyes.
CONTROL EYE BAGSHow to Treat Crow’s Feet
If you don't like your crow's feet and want to do something about them, here are a few effective treatment options.
Use Products with Peptides
The most common peptide for inhibiting muscle contractions is named Acetyl Hexapeptide. Tiege Hanley puts Acetyl Hexapeptide in our evening moisturizer (PM), our eye cream (EYES) and our facial firming serum (SUPER SERUM). Its purpose is to limit the overproduction and release of neurotransmitters that initiate and control the intensity of facial muscle contractions. That reduction of intensity diminishes existing wrinkles and prevents new ones from showing up.
Peptides are wonderful little miracles. They’re most effective at getting rid of crow’s feet when used along with a few other skin care products, though. Moisturizers, like Tiege Hanley’s AM and PM moisturizers, boost a few other key stat categories of your face: collagen production and skin elasticity.
It probably goes without saying, but the more elastic your skin is, the easier it bounces back from muscle contractions. Like stretching before a run, using moisturizer hydrates and warms up your muscles so they can take the stress a little easier. Collagen is what makes your skin look plump or full, i.e., not droopy or saggy. Boosting the skin’s collagen production is another important piece of preventing wrinkles.
Face serums are a little more cutting edge than moisturizers. While almost any skin care product you use could be considered an anti-aging product, face serums are usually specifically designed to keep your skin looking tight, firm, and youthful.
Tiege Hanley’s SUPER SERUM is a facial firming serum that includes the aforementioned Acetyl Hexapeptide, along with a few other powerful ingredients like Pentapeptide-18 and Sodium Hyaluronate. Sodium Hyaluronate moisturizes the skin, reduces the appearance of wrinkles and inflammation, and even heals wounds. (You can find it in our PM moisturizer, too, for what it’s worth).
Protect Yourself from the Sun
Will using a daily moisturizer with SPF get rid of your crow’s feet? Sadly, no. But it will prevent them from getting worse, among other things.
According to a 2014 study published in Molecules, the sun’s harmful UV rays are a major cause of age-related changes in the skin like skin cancer (see claim: “Solar UV exposure is a major causative factor for age-related changes such as skin cancer development.”)
By using daily sunscreen, you can effectively reduce your risk of skin cancer while preventing crow's feet and wrinkles.
TAKE THE SKIN CARE QUIZConsider Botox
Botox is the shorthand for the Botulinum toxin, a neurotoxic protein. Botox basically paralyzes your face where it’s injected to prevent muscle contractions. It’s been very widely studied and has been used since the 1980s, but it’s not without its downsides, which can include weakened muscles and loss of muscle control.
Lately, more women and men have been turning to Botox to take care of their crow’s feet. Although it’s certainly not for everyone, research has shown it can help get rid of wrinkles around your eyes.
In a 2016 study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Botox was effective at treating crow’s feet in subjects and had few—if any—side effects (see claim: “…onabotulinumtoxinA is effective and generally well-tolerated for CFL treatment.”)
However, the study reported on an adverse side effect (mild swelling of the eyelid).
Botox only lasts for about three or four months, which means you’ll need to have it done again to retain a wrinkle-free appearance.
It's worth noting Botox can be pricey. A single session for crow’s feet can range between $200 and $750.
The Takeaway
At the end of the day, we’re all anti-aging at heart. Unfortunately, being anti won’t prevent crow's feet or get rid of them, but anti-aging products with peptides will.
Tiege Hanley Skin Care Systems include the simple four, five or six product routines you need to handle all your wrinkle business. No appointments necessary, no face paralysis required. Just a few little black bottles delivered to your doorstep whenever you want.
Put it this way: How often do you think about your eyelids?
Once you get your skin care routine rolling with Tiege Hanley, that’s how often you’ll think about your wrinkles.
References
Luebberding, S., Krueger, N. and Kerscher, M. (2014), Quantification of Age‐Related Facial Wrinkles in Men and Women Using a Three‐Dimensional Fringe Projection Method and Validated Assessment Scales. Dermatol Surg, 40: 22-32.
Amaro-Ortiz, Alexandra et al. “Ultraviolet radiation, aging and the skin: prevention of damage by topical cAMP manipulation.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 19,5 6202-19. 15 May, 2014.
