Threw Ways To Erase Your Crow's Feet

They're deep, stubborn, and they make you look 10 years older. Crow's feet can be a terrible nuisance, but thankfully there are ways to ease their appearance. Here's a look at your three best treatment options.

Retinol

If your crow's feet are just beginning to show up and you'd rather avoid any invasive treatments, ask your dermatologist about retinol creams. These creams contain a vitamin A derivative that increases the rate of turnover of your skin cells. The dry, older skin cells will slough off faster, revealing plumper cells underneath—which results in a smooth, wrinkle-free appearance.

Retinol treatments do not work immediately; it usually takes about 6 weeks to see results. Though there are over-the-counter versions, the stronger prescription preparations are usually necessary for treating crow's feet.

Dermal Fillers

For crow's feet that do not respond to retinol creams, or for those that are very pronounced, your dermatologist may instead recommend a dermal filler treatment. The dermal fillers typically used for crow's feet are made from hyaluronic acid, a substance that your skin produces naturally. The hyaluronic acid gives your skin a more plump, youthful appearance, lifting out the sunken areas that make your crow's feet. 

Some dermal filler treatments also have synthetic "beads" that add extra volume to your skin. This style of filler lasts longer than a pure hyaluronic acid filler. In either case, your doctor will inject the filler beneath your skin. The area might be a bit red and sore for a day or two after treatment, but there are not typically any serious side effects. Results are pretty immediate, but they continue to intensify for a few days after treatment as the redness wears off.

Botulinum toxin injections

If your dermatologist feels that your crow's feet are more due to a lack of muscle tone than a loss of skin elasticity, he or she may recommend botulinum toxin injections rather than a filler treatment. These injections cause the muscle to relax, which helps to smooth out wrinkles and crow's feet.

Botulinum toxin injections cause noticeable swelling and stiffness for a few days after the initial injection, but after this time, your results should look a lot more natural. You'll likely need to have more injections every 3 to 6 months in the future to keep your crow's feet at bay.

Talk to a dermatologist to learn more about these and other treatments for crow's feet.

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