Generality
Crow's feet is the wording with which, in common parlance, we want to indicate the wrinkles that develop around the eyes.
More in detail, crow's feet are defined as the wrinkles that appear in the periocular area, at the outer corners of the eyes. The peculiar name attributed to these imperfections of the time derives from their shape, vaguely resembling that of the crow's feet.
What are
What are hen-legged wrinkles?
Wrinkles with crow's feet are imperfections of the time belonging to the group of so-called expression lines .
The crow's feet - and, in general, all types of wrinkles - represent an imperfection that is decidedly disliked by the majority of people (both women and men) who consider it a real "enemy" to fight.
Causes
As mentioned, the crow's feet belong to the group of expression wrinkles, that is wrinkles that are formed following the action exerted by the mimic muscles on the skin of the face.
Expression wrinkles are also present in young individuals, but tend to become marked and evident only with time.
As the skin ages, it loses its structure, relaxes, tends to dehydrate and becomes less elastic. In particular, the fibroblasts present in the dermis gradually lose their activity which results in the inevitable reduction of the synthesis of collagen, elastic fibers and glycosaminoglycans, fundamental elements to support the skin and give it tone, hydration, firmness and elasticity.
Moreover, as the age progresses and the skin ages, the already formed elastic fibers and collagen become thinner altering their structure.
These phenomena associated with the continuous stimulation of the mimic muscles of the face therefore give rise to evident, marked and permanent wrinkles such as crow's feet.
Furthermore, it is important to remember that the appearance of crow's feet wrinkles, as well as the formation of all the imperfections of time, can be favored and / or accelerated by a series of factors, such as:
- Genetic predisposition;
- Excessive exposure to UV radiation (both artificial and natural);
- Unbalanced power supply;
- Bad habits such as smoking and alcohol abuse;
- Environmental conditions (smog, pollution, etc.).
Treatments
Treatments against chicken feet
Since these are very unwelcome, cosmetics and aesthetic medicine have developed numerous products, treatments and interventions in an attempt to counteract crow's feet. Even the supplement industry has moved in this direction, creating specific anti-wrinkle products (anti-wrinkle supplements).
Below, the main products and treatments most used to counter crow's feet will be briefly described.
Cosmetics
Cosmetic Products for Tackling Crows Feet Wrinkles
The anti-wrinkle cosmetics currently on the market are really many - creams, serums, cleansing products, face masks and make-up products - all formulated with ingredients that could be effective in mitigating, but certainly not eliminating, the annoying crow's feet.
For example, in the hard fight against these imperfections, anti-wrinkle creams and eye products based on:
- Antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E and coenzyme Q10 (in fact, free radicals and the oxidative stress they induce are involved in skin aging and loss of skin structure);
- Nutrients and moisturizers (hydration is essential to prevent formation and make crow's feet less evident);
- Redensifying substances (such as, for example, vitamin C and vegetable fats);
- Collagen and hyaluronic acid .
The use of cosmetics containing these ingredients - if done consistently - could be useful to alleviate the problem, but it certainly does not lead to the elimination of crow's feet from the eye area.
However, there are special creams made with botox-like ingredients, ie ingredients that perform an activity similar to botulinum toxin and that are able to relax the mimic muscles of the face, smoothing out (even if not completely) the crow's feet at the corners of the eyes.
Botulinum Toxin
Botulinum Toxin to Smooth Out the Chicken Legs
The injection of botulinum toxin to eliminate expression lines such as crow's feet is a widely used aesthetic medicine treatment. Botulinum toxin acts substantially by paralyzing the mimic muscles, thus favoring the relaxation of the wrinkles caused by them.
Although it is a well-established treatment that has been used for a very long time, it can give rise to some side effects, such as swelling, redness, burning or pain. In some cases, moreover, you can see the onset of more serious conditions such as headache, weakness, eyelid ptosis, breathing difficulties and swallowing and allergic reactions.
Finally, we recall that the effects obtained with botulinum toxin injections - although appreciable - are only temporary (approximately 3-6 months).
Filler
Filler injection to replenish the crow's feet wrinkles
Filler injections are probably the most commonly used aesthetic medicine treatments to eliminate crow's feet.
Fillers are special types of substances used to fill and replenish furrows (wrinkles) and areas of the face and body that have no or lost volume.
Filler injections can be considered as an alternative to cosmetic surgery, or as a support to the latter (for more information: Fillers).
Lipofilling
Lipofilling is a treatment halfway between a filler and a cosmetic surgery operation. In fact, it provides for the removal of adipose tissue from areas of the body where it is particularly rich and its subsequent injection - after appropriate treatment - in empty areas of the body or where blemishes such as crow's feet are present. It is considered a safe intervention with fewer side effects than the classic fillers since the injected filling substance comes from the same patient (for detailed information: Lipofilling).
Dermo-Aesthetic Treatments
Dermo-Aesthetic Treatments Against Chicken Legs
There are many dermo-aesthetic treatments that can be used to reduce and try to eliminate crow's feet. Although generally non-invasive, these are treatments that must be performed by specialized medical personnel in order to guarantee their effectiveness and safety.
Among the main treatments that can be used to counter crow's feet, we recall:
- Chemical peeling : it is a dermo-aesthetic treatment which consists in performing a chemical exfoliation of the skin in order to eliminate various imperfections, including crow's feet. Chemical peeling is carried out by using specific acid substances called " chemical exfoliants " which are able to accelerate the natural cellular turnover, favoring skin renewal . Usually, this type of treatment is effective when the crow's feet are not too deep and marked.
Please note
The chemical peeling performed in aesthetic medicine should not be confused with the chemical peel performed in the beauty centers, performed by beauticians with milder chemical exfoliants, not for medical use.
- Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion : these are two aesthetic medicine treatments used to treat various blemishes such as wrinkles and scars. The treatment involves the controlled mechanical removal of the most superficial layers of the skin in order to reduce wrinkles such as crow's feet. This removal is carried out using special brushes or cutters (dermabrasion), or through corundum crystals or microgranules of aluminum hydroxide (microdermabrasion). In this regard, we recall that microdermabrasion is less aggressive than actual dermabrasion, since it has a less profound polishing effect.
- Radiofrequency : radiofrequency is a non-invasive aesthetic medicine treatment that can be used to reduce and eliminate crow's feet. This technique exploits the action of electromagnetic waves that, through the skin, generate heat. This heat, in turn, depending on the depth reached, can stimulate the activity of fibroblasts and / or stimulate the cutaneous microcirculation.
For more in-depth information on the aforementioned dermo-aesthetic treatments used to counter crow's feet, see the specific articles on this site.
Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic Surgery to Eliminate Chicken Legs
To counter and eliminate the crow's feet completely it is possible to resort to cosmetic surgery. The type of operation to be performed depends on various factors, such as the extent of the crow's feet (more or less marked and obvious) and the results that the patient wants to obtain. However, this decision must be made in agreement with the cosmetic surgeon. In this regard, we remind you of the importance of contacting exclusively medical professionals who work in qualified facilities.
However, the main cosmetic surgery procedures used to eliminate crow's feet are the face lift and the aforementioned lipofilling.
The face lift is an intervention usually recommended in patients between the ages of 40 and 70, that is in those patients in whom the crow's feet are well marked and evident.
It is a "drastic" procedure that allows to obtain excellent results, eliminating crow's feet from the face. On the other hand, it is not possible to stop the progress of time and, therefore, it may be necessary to undergo several "retouches". Furthermore, it is still a surgical procedure that has contraindications and that can give rise to side effects and complications (for more information on this, we recommend reading the dedicated article: Lifting).
Anti-wrinkle supplements
Are wrinkle supplements useful against chicken feet?
Anti-wrinkle supplements are special supplements formulated with a series of nutrients that could be useful to reduce wrinkles and crow's feet from inside. In detail, anti-wrinkle supplements are formulated with ingredients that can potentially be useful in countering the aging processes and which can stimulate the function of fibroblasts. Among these, we mention: antioxidant ingredients, trace elements, essential fatty acids, collagen, hyaluronic acid and plant extracts that can contribute to maintaining the well-being of the skin and / or which can promote the activity of dermis cells (fibroblasts).
It should be pointed out that the use of anti-wrinkle supplements does not eliminate crow's feet. It is probable, however, that their intake - if carried out consistently, even better if combined with anti-wrinkle cosmetics - may delay the formation and, if necessary, induce a slight improvement.
Useful Tips
Useful tips to prevent chicken feet
Regardless of the treatment that you decide to take to combat crow's feet (cosmetic, dermo-aesthetic, surgical), it is in no way possible to stop the progress of time.
However, correct tricks and habits can be a valid tool to try to prevent - or rather delay as much as possible - the appearance of imperfections such as crow's feet. In detail, it is very important:
- Follow a healthy and balanced diet ;
- Maintain a good level of physical activity ;
- Avoid dangerous vices such as smoking and alcohol abuse. These vices, moreover, not only favor the early formation of wrinkles and crow's feet, but they are harmful for the whole organism;
- Avoid excessive exposure to UV rays, especially if without protections. Therefore, it is good to always use sunscreens and sunglasses, useful not only to protect the skin, but also the eyes;
- Carefully cleanse the skin with mild detergents and take care of it using moisturizing and / or nutrient products suitable for your skin type.
Did you know that ...
Many people use facial gymnastics to prevent the formation of crow's feet and other expression lines. The purpose of this particular type of gymnastics is to obtain benefits on the skin by toning the mimic muscles of the face, a bit like with "normal" physical activity.
