What Are Your Options for Smoothing Out Crow's Feet?

Do you notice fine lines or wrinkles in the skin towards the outside of your eyes? These lines probably become more distinct when you smile or frown. Known as crow's feet, they can really age your appearance and make you feel less confident in your own smile. Thankfully, there are several ways that you and your dermatologist can reduce them or get rid of them all-together.

Botulinum Injections

You've probably heard of botulinum injections because they're one of the most commonly used treatments for wrinkles anywhere on the face. They work by paralyzing the muscle underneath your skin, which causes the muscle to contract and give the area a firmer look. Botulinum toxin injections are safe and can be effective for even the most severe of crow's feet. However, they can take up to 7 days (and sometimes even longer) to produce results, and the results only last about 12 weeks on average. So, this is more of a temporary fix and not a long-term solution to your crow's feet.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are substances that can be injected into or beneath your skin to add bulk and fullness to the area. This fullness eases wrinkles like crow's feet and leads to a more youthful look. There are several types of dermal fillers. Fillers made from hyaluronic acid, a substance your body produces naturally, are often considered to be the safest. However, several treatments are usually needed to produce the desired results. Synthetic fillers last longer and can successfully fill deeper crow's feet. However, some patients do react poorly to them, developing redness or itching in the days following injections.

Your dermatologist will recommend the filler that is best for you based on your overall health and the severity of your crow's feet. How long dermal filler results last will depend on the exact filler used, but many last for a year or longer.

Laser Treatment

There are so-called "cool lasers" that can be used to stimulate the skin, drawing fluid to the area to create a more plump appearance. These lasers may also cause micro-damage to the skin tissue. When the body heals the damage, it produces more collagen, which is a protein that becomes depleted in wrinkled skin. The increased collagen production helps ease the appearance of crow's feet. You'll need laser treatments every few months to every year to keep up with the results, but the treatments are fast and painless. They tend to work best for very fine crow's feet—they won't fill in deeper wrinkles. 

For more information, contact companies like Stellis Health.