Crow’s feet: those delicate little lines that fan out from the outer corners of our eyes, becoming more pronounced with every smile, squint, or chuckle. Often seen as the earliest signs of aging, crow’s feet may concern many. But why do they appear? And what can you do to diminish them or prevent them from deepening? 

The good news is several strategies and treatments can help you reduce the appearance of crow’s feet and reclaim your youthful radiance. 

Let’s discover the secrets to smoother, more refreshed skin around your eyes!

What are crow’s feet?

Crow’s feet, often referred to as periorbital wrinkles or lateral canthal lines,¹ are delicate wrinkles that appear around the outer corners of the eyes. These wrinkles primarily emerge due to aging, repetitive facial expressions, and environmental damage.² While they pose no risk to your health, they can sometimes make you feel self-conscious. 

If you’re interested in addressing their appearance, several treatment options are available today to diminish these lines. But first, let’s discuss the causes of these lines so you can better understand which treatment might be best for you.

What causes crow’s feet? 

Those tiny lines fanning out from the corners of your eyes—kind of like the footprints of a bird—have some interesting reasons behind their appearance.

At the top of the list is our good old friend: the aging process. As we grow older, it’s natural for these lines to start showing up. But that’s not the only reason! Every time you smile, squint, or make any repeated facial expressions, you’re engaging the orbicularis oculi muscle—the one that helps us blink and close our eyes. Over time, the continuous contraction of this muscle can contribute to crow’s feet.³

Environmental elements, especially UV radiation, play a role too.⁴ It’s like the skin around our eyes keeps a diary of all our outdoor adventures, and crow’s feet are just some of its entries.

But regardless of the cause, they’re just a natural part of our journey and one of the many stories our skin tells.

Treatments for crow’s feet 

If you’re considering giving your crow’s feet a bit of a touch-up, you’ve got an array of treatments to explore, from Botox to laser resurfacing.

Let’s take a closer look at your options:

Botulinum toxin treatment (a.k.a. Botox)

This is a star player in the wrinkle-reduction world. These injections work by relaxing the expressive muscles around your eyes—softening those crow’s feet lines. Research shows the effectiveness of Botox applied through both nano microneedles and intradermal injections specifically for treating crow’s feet.⁵

Topical creams

Some topical creams like Purgenesis™ are packed with ingredients that hydrate and boost your skin’s elasticity.⁶ This means they not only moisturize but also target fine lines to make them less evident. You can also try topical creams that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid⁷ and retinoids⁸ to help you smooth out the appearance of your crows feet.

But here’s a golden nugget of advice: Not every cream will be your skin’s best friend, so always do a patch test before applying it to your face. 

Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers can help give your skin a mini lift from within, plumping it up just right to smoothen out those wrinkles. One to note is the polycaprolactone (PCL) based filler. There’s a significant amount of evidence pointing towards its efficacy, specifically for crow’s feet.⁹

Voltaic arc dermabrasion (VAD) 

It sounds futuristic, and honestly, it kind of is! It's a technique that uses electrical arcs to gently resurface your skin, promoting the birth of fresh, new skin. Research studies vouch for its efficacy, revealing results within a week!¹⁰

Laser resurfacing 

Lasers can help with many skin conditions, and crow’s feet are one of them! Lasers to refresh your skin’s surface work almost like repainting a canvas, and they can help you combat and smooth out your crows feet.¹¹

Armed with all this info, you’ll be well on your way to making an informed decision about how to treat crow’s feet. But always remember, personal consultations with a skincare expert* are the best way to ensure you get the optimal treatment plan for your skin. 

Tips for younger-looking skin

So, you want that youthful skin glow, right? You’re not alone!

Here are a few science-backed age-defying tips you can follow for younger-looking skin.

First things first, your skincare routine. It’s like the gym for your skin. Just like you wouldn’t skip leg day, don’t skip out on your daily skincare. It works wonders on keeping your skin supple, elastic, and all-around healthy. And here’s a little secret weapon: antioxidants and retinoids. They help by fighting inflammation and boosting collagen to help keep your skin firm and youthful.¹²

Another thing you need to keep an eye out for is the sun. It’s great for beach days and picnics, but not so much for our skin. That’s where sunscreen enters the scene: It’s your skin’s personal shield against harmful UV rays. And if you pair it up with antioxidants like vitamins C and E, you’re giving your skin an extra layer of protection against free radicals that can damage your skin.¹³

Feeling adventurous? 

There are also some in-office treatments out there that can kick things up a notch. Ever thought about chemical peels or laser treatments? They might sound intense, but they’re fantastic for rejuvenating your skin and bringing back your glow.¹⁴

Whether it’s through your daily routine, sun protection, topicals, or even some professional treatments, with a bit of commitment and professional advice, you’ll be on your way to flaunting radiant, younger-looking skin. 

Elevate your skincare game with Future-Proofᴿˣ by Curology

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Our unique, prescription-strength formula is tailored just for you, ensuring you get the most out of your skincare routine. Featuring potent anti-aging powerhouses like tretinoin and niacinamide, this formula can help you against common skin woes like uneven skin texture, fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and dullness.

With Future-Proofᴿˣ, you gain complimentary online access to a licensed dermatology provider. No more second-guessing your skincare choices; get direct insights and recommendations from the pros!

And if you're always on the go or have a packed schedule, Curology ensures that your skincare comes to you hassle-free. With easy bi-monthly deliveries, you'll always be stocked up on your routine.

Get your personalized skincare routine with Curology

Get your personalized skincare routine with Curology

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Ready to redefine your skincare journey? Unlock your unique offer and take the first step towards your skin goals with Future-Proofᴿˣ. Remember, each ingredient is hand-picked based on your specific goals, ensuring you get the best of personalized skincare. 

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P.S. We did the homework, so you don’t have to:

1. Carruthers, A., et al. Treatment of crow's feet lines and forehead lines with Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA): Development, insights, and impact. Medicine (Baltimore). (2023, July 1).

2. Scarano, A., et al. Static Crow's Feet Treated with Voltaic Arc Dermabrasion (Atmospheric Plasma): Post-Operative Pain Assessment by Thermal Infrared Imaging. J Clin Med. (2021, July 12).

3. Scarano, A., et al. Static Crow's Feet Treated with Voltaic Arc Dermabrasion (Atmospheric Plasma): Post-Operative Pain Assessment by Thermal Infrared Imaging. J Clin Med. Ibid.

4. Scarano, A., et al. Static Crow's Feet Treated with Voltaic Arc Dermabrasion (Atmospheric Plasma): Post-Operative Pain Assessment by Thermal Infrared Imaging. J Clin Med. Ibid.

5. Cao, Y., et al. A Comparative In Vivo Study on Three Treatment Approaches to Applying Topical Botulinum Toxin A for Crow's Feet. Biomed Res Int. (2018, July 3).

6. Carroll, J.M., et al. Comparison of topical antiaging creams in the management of lateral canthal lines. J Cosmet Dermatol. (March 2020).

7. Gold, M.H., et al. Efficacy and tolerability of a hyaluronic acid-based serum and a peptide-rich cream for the face and neck in subjects with photodamaged skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. (August 2022).

8. Kaufman, J., et al. Efficacy and Tolerability of a Retinoid Eye Cream for Fine to Moderate Wrinkles of the Periorbital Region. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. (2022, September 1).

9. Jeong, G.J., et al. A randomized, patient/evaluator-blinded, split-face study to compare the efficacy and safety of polycaprolactone and polynucleotide fillers in the correction of crow's feet: The latest biostimulatory dermal filler for crow's feet. J Cosmet Dermatol. (July 2020).

10. Scarano, A., et al. Static Crow's Feet Treated with Voltaic Arc Dermabrasion (Atmospheric Plasma): Post-Operative Pain Assessment by Thermal Infrared Imaging. J Clin Med. Ibid.

11. Scarano, A., et al. Static Crow's Feet Treated with Voltaic Arc Dermabrasion (Atmospheric Plasma): Post-Operative Pain Assessment by Thermal Infrared Imaging. J Clin Med. Ibid.

12. Ganceviciene, R., et al. Skin anti-aging strategies. Dermatoendocrinol. (2012, July 1).

13. Ganceviciene, R., et al. Skin anti-aging strategies. Dermatoendocrinol. Ibid.

14. Ganceviciene, R., et al. Skin anti-aging strategies. Dermatoendocrinol. Ibid.

15. Ganceviciene, R., et al. Skin anti-aging strategies. Dermatoendocrinol. Ibid.

16. Scarano, A., et al. Static Crow's Feet Treated with Voltaic Arc Dermabrasion (Atmospheric Plasma): Post-Operative Pain Assessment by Thermal Infrared Imaging. J Clin Med. Ibid.

17. Jeong, G.J., et al. A randomized, patient/evaluator-blinded, split-face study to compare the efficacy and safety of polycaprolactone and polynucleotide fillers in the correction of crow's feet: The latest biostimulatory dermal filler for crow's feet. J Cosmet Dermatol. Ibid.

18. Ganceviciene, R., et al. Skin anti-aging strategies. Dermatoendocrinol. Ibid.

19. Cao, Y., et al. A Comparative In Vivo Study on Three Treatment Approaches to Applying Topical Botulinum Toxin A for Crow's Feet. Biomed Res Int. Ibid.

20. Scarano, A., et al. Static Crow's Feet Treated with Voltaic Arc Dermabrasion (Atmospheric Plasma): Post-Operative Pain Assessment by Thermal Infrared Imaging. J Clin Med. Ibid.

21. Jeong, G.J., et al. A randomized, patient/evaluator-blinded, split-face study to compare the efficacy and safety of polycaprolactone and polynucleotide fillers in the correction of crow's feet: The latest biostimulatory dermal filler for crow's feet. J Cosmet Dermatol. Ibid.

22. Carroll, J.M., et al. Comparison of topical antiaging creams in the management of lateral canthal lines. J Cosmet Dermatol. Ibid.

23. Gold, M.H., et al. Efficacy and tolerability of a hyaluronic acid-based serum and a peptide-rich cream for the face and neck in subjects with photodamaged skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. Ibid.

24. Kaufman, J., et al. Efficacy and Tolerability of a Retinoid Eye Cream for Fine to Moderate Wrinkles of the Periorbital Region. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. Ibid.

25. Ganceviciene, R., et al. Skin anti-aging strategies. Dermatoendocrinol. Ibid.

Erin Pate is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner at Curology. She earned her Masters of Science in Nursing at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL.

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Written by

Curology Team

Medically reviewed by

Erin Pate, NP-C