6 Ways to Prevent Crow’s Feet

One of the first signs of skin aging experienced by many people is the appearance of tiny lines and creases at the corners of the eyelids commonly known as crow’s feet. These lines initially may not be noticeable until the person smiles or moves their face. Although they may be experienced only with movement at first, over time these creases deepen and become a permanent part of the facial architecture. The good news about crow’s feet is they can be prevented to some degree with proper anti-aging skin care habits. Here’s how to prevent crow’s feet from developing or worsening:

Wear sunscreen on a daily basis.

You probably already know what an important role the sun plays in promoting skin aging. This is particularly true for the delicate skin tissue around the eyes. One of the best ways to prevent crow’s feet is to invest in a good sunblock that filters out both UVA and UVB rays. It should have an SPF of at least fifteen to give optimal anti-aging protection. To be effective, it needs to be applied in sufficient amounts and worn consistently when you’re out in the sun.

Get a good pair of sunglasses.

When you spend time in the bright sun without sunglasses, you’ll squint without being aware of it. Repetitive squinting is a major factor in promoting formation of crow’s feet. Repetitive movements due to squinting eventually take their toll on the delicate tissue surrounding the eyes particularly when collagen production starts to dwindle with age. Buy a good pair of sunglasses and wear them every time you go out into bright sunlight. Be sure they have a good UV filter to prevent damage to your retina. Make them a standard part of your anti-aging strategy.

Take breaks from your computer monitor.

People rarely think of their computer monitor as contributing to skin aging and crow’s feet. If you stare at a bright monitor all day, your eyes will eventually fatigue and you’ll start to squint. The result is premature formation of undereye wrinkles and crow’s feet. If you work in front of a computer monitor all day, give your eyes frequent breaks.

Ditch the smokes.

Smoking is a major cause of premature skin aging as well as crow’s feet. The smoke from a burning cigarette creates eye irritation which encourages squinting. Plus, smoking reduces oxygenation of the skin tissue as well as vitamin C levels which can impact collagen synthesis. If you observe a smoker, they almost always have evidence of crow’s feet if they’re over the age of thirty. Kick the habit for your lungs as well as your skin.

Anti-aging eye care products can help.

Keep the area around the eyes moisturized with a product that contains vitamin C or glycolic acid. Vitamin C and glycolic acid are both thought to be anti-aging and appear to play a role in boosting collagen synthesis which helps to ward off crow’s feet. Another product proven to prevent fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet is Retin-A. This anti-aging product is available by prescription from your doctor.

Another option

If you’re still not satisfied with the appearance of crow’s feet, you can have the area injected with Botox. This will immobilize the muscles which prevents squinting and can significant reduce the appearance of crow’s feet. These injections are usually done in a dermatologist’s or plastic surgeon’s office and can give instant improvement in the appearance of crow’s feet.

Don’t let crow’s feet ruin your appearance. Incorporate crow’s feet preventative measures into your anti-aging lifestyle and you’ll be rewarded with younger looking skin.