how to alleviate them in midlife?

2023-12-17 16:00:27

Around the age of 30 or 40, you will probably notice fine lines and wrinkles forming on your face, especially around the eyes and forehead. One of the first types of wrinkles to appear is “crow’s feet,” which earned its name because, you guessed it, it resembles wrinkled, spreading crow’s feet. This is part of the normal aging process, of course, but some people want to limit this tendency as much as possible. Wondering how to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet? While expensive treatments like laser and botox can make a big difference in evening out your skin’s texture, this approach isn’t for everyone.

For those who prefer to tackle wrinkles in a less aggressive and more holistic way, lifestyle approaches that can help diminish the appearance of crow’s feet include: taking collagen proteins, using topical ingredients such as retinol and vitamin C, and if you’re able, trying microneedling.

What are crow’s feet?

Crow’s feet are wrinkles that form at the corners of the eyes and extend toward the hairline and forehead. They are more pronounced when you smile or squint, two expressions that contribute to their formation. Although people of all ages can experience some degree of crow’s feet, older adults generally have more pronounced lines and wrinkles. The crow’s feet that we see in young people are “dynamic”, that is to say, they appear when the person moves their face. But in older adults, crow’s feet are often both dynamic and “static,” meaning they appear even when facial muscles are at rest. At what age do crow’s feet appear? Expression lines usually start to develop in your 20s, and most people notice them starting in their 30s.

Are crow’s feet sometimes considered attractive?

Yes ! This brings up a good point: you don’t necessarily have to try to erase crow’s feet or fear them forming. Some people find that fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes are actually endearing and show a person’s character, because they indicate that they smile and laugh a lot.

Causes

What causes crow’s feet? Like other types of wrinkles, crow’s feet form naturally and normally when the skin around the eyes loses some of its volume and elasticity in certain areas. Dryness, such as winter dry skin, can also worsen the appearance of crow’s feet because it reduces the plump appearance of the skin. Unfortunately, the skin around the eyes is generally thinner and drier than other areas of the face, which is why wrinkles tend to form here first.

Specific normal causes of crow’s feet include:

Repeated muscular and facial movements, including laughing, smiling, blinking, and squinting.

Normal collagen breakdown (loss of collagen proteins in the skin)

The effects on the skin of excessive exposure to the sun (UVA and UVB rays) or tanning beds

Other forms of free radical effects, such as smoking and pollution.

Common treatments

Dermatologists treat crow’s feet in a variety of ways, including using dermal fillers, laser treatments, and botox injections. Although these treatments can be effective in reducing the appearance of wrinkles and perhaps even decreasing the likelihood of new wrinkles forming, they are also expensive and generally unnecessary. Additionally, cosmetic treatments that involve the use of lasers, injections, and peels carry certain risks, such as negative reactions, redness, irritation, and even worsening eye sagging. Finally, when overused, wrinkle treatments tend to give your face a stiff, unnatural look that is not very attractive.

Lifestyle approaches

How to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet and improve the elasticity of your skin? You can try these lifestyle approaches. As always, you should consult your doctor before beginning any diet or lifestyle.

1. Multiple Collagen Proteins

Collagen, a type of structural protein composed of linked amino acids, is responsible for the formation of connective tissues found throughout the body, including in the skin, joints, and tendons. When it comes to helping combat the appearance of wrinkles such as crow’s feet, collagen is one of the best supplements to look for, as it helps keep skin firm, elastic, smooth, strong and uniform in texture. After age 30, our bodies naturally produce less collagen, and factors such as excessive sun exposure, pollution, and poor diet lead to collagen loss. Supplementing with collagen can therefore help provide the building blocks the body needs to create its own collagen and help reduce the appearance of crow’s feet. Many people who take collagen supplements regularly for several months notice that their skin generally appears firmer, plumper, more hydrated and healthier, instead of having the appearance of dry or “creppy” skin. .

What is the best collagen for skin? Type I collagen is by far the most abundant type of collagen in the human body. It is made up of eosinophilic fibers that form the skin (dermis), contributing to its desirable stretchy and elastic qualities.

How long does collagen work? As mentioned, it can help make crow’s feet less visible and improve their appearance after four weeks of use, and improve skin tone after eight weeks of use.

2. Sunscreen

Although a certain amount of sunlight is beneficial to our health, since it helps us produce essential vitamin D, the majority of negative effects on our skin are due to too much exposure to the sun. UVA and UVB rays emitted by the sun, as well as tanning beds, cause changes to our skin cells that can lead to unwanted wrinkles and discoloration. To prevent sun damage from altering your skin’s tone and texture, dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen with SPF 30+ on your face daily. Ideally, choose a mineral sunscreen that is not absorbed into the skin (like chemical sunscreens), but settles on the skin and helps bounce the rays.

3. Retinol

A number of skincare ingredients can potentially help improve and even prevent crow’s feet, with retinol being one of the most studied and recommended. Retinol is one of the most studied and recommended. Retinol, derived from vitamin A, has multiple uses for skin health and appearance, including reducing fine lines and evening out skin texture and tone. There are different dosages and types of retinol to try on your skin; start with a low dosage (around 1-2% retinol) and use it every other evening on clean skin to allow your skin to adjust. Be careful when using retinol in the sun, as it can increase photosensitivity and burning. For even better results in improving your skin’s elasticity and “glow,” use a vitamin C serum and a niacinamide serum (or vitamin B3) in addition to retinol. However, you’ll first want to test how your skin reacts when you combine these anti-aging ingredients, as together they can increase sensitivity.

4. Moisturizer

To plump your skin and prevent it from hollowing, always apply moisturizer to clean skin twice a day (morning and evening, on top of other products like serums and retinol). Look for creams or lotions with hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and oils such as argan, marula, and almond oils. Avoid those that contain dry, irritating ingredients like alcohol, parabens, talc, phthalates, and fragrances.

5. Microneedling

Microneedling, sometimes also called dermarolling, involves pricking the skin with tiny needles that stimulate the skin to temporarily increase inflammation, which is a normal bodily response.
This may seem like a bad thing, because inflammation usually makes the skin red, swollen, and irritated; however, microneedling only triggers inflammation on the surface of the skin in a way that encourages it to repair itself. According to dermatologists, microneedling can promote skin growth factors and stimulation of fibroblasts and other collagen-producing cells, thereby improving skin elasticity. Microneedling can help diminish the appearance of crow’s feet and other fine lines, scars, enlarged pores, and possibly deeper wrinkles. Since it is possible to damage your skin if you perform microneedling incorrectly, seek help from a reputable dermatologist.

Other useful tips to help improve the appearance of crow’s feet and wrinkles:

Eat a nutrient-dense diet rich in antioxidants, as well as other vitamins for skin health, including vitamin A, vitamin B3, vitamin C, and zinc.

Drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin from the inside.

Get enough sleep and manage your stress.

Exercise to boost circulation.

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Marie Desange

Marie DESANGE is a journalist specializing in the field of health, known for her commitment to accurate and accessible information in this crucial area.