Crow’s feet are fine lines visible at the corners of the eyes and become more prominent with facial expressions such as laughing or smiling. Those pesky little wrinkles that come around the eyes due to the aging process are caused by repetitive contraction of a circular muscle that goes around the eye called orbicularis oculi. To address crow’s feet, wrinkle relaxers can help reduce their visibility and restore smoother skin.
What Are Wrinkle Relaxers?
Wrinkle relaxers are treatments that relax the wrinkles and fine lines on the face. Wrinkles that form due to reduced levels of collagen in the skin or increased skin laxity are common to mature skin, with some wrinkles forming as early as the mid-30s. These treatments can treat all fine lines and wrinkles quickly and efficiently.
In fact, treatments to relax wrinkles can generally be used on any face area. Not only that, but it also includes horizontal lines on the forehead, verticle lines between the eyebrows, and particularly nasolabial lines around the nose and mouth, also called “expression lines.”
Moreover, those who would like to relax or erase the wrinkles on their face are good candidates for this treatment, including those with the following:
- Mild, moderate, or severe wrinkles
- Fine lines
- Crow’s feet
- Laugh lines
- Frown lines
- Glabellar lines
- Wrinkles around the nose and mouth
How Do Wrinkle Relaxers Work?
Wrinkle relaxers are minimally-invasive treatments requiring targeted injections of special serums into the skin. In fact, most of these treatments are formulated with neurotoxins that are absorbed by the nerves in the face and block the transmission of muscle-moving transmitters.
Neurotransmitters can be thought of as a selective numbing of facial nerves, which ultimately prevent certain muscles from contracting and worsening the formation of wrinkles and effortlessly smooth out the appearance of the skin.
What Are The Treatment Options?
Finding the treatment right will depend on individual needs. As a matter of fact, it is common for one or more injectable treatments to be used on various parts of the face to produce the desired result. Here are the treatment options available:
Botox® Cosmetic
It is one of the treatments in the world that is universally loved and respected for wrinkle-relaxing treatments. As a versatile anti-aging injectable treatment, Botox can be used on both the upper face, like the forehead and crow’s feet, mid-to-lower face, and smile lines.
Dysport®
Considered the second most common wrinkle relaxer, Dysport is just as versatile as Botox. On the other hand, Botox is ideal for moderate-to-severe wrinkle concerns, while Dysport is best suited for mild or moderate wrinkles. This is for the reason that the Dysport formula is more diluted compared to Botox and spreads beneath the surface of the skin for a more natural-looking, subtle relaxation.
Xeomin®
As a specialized wrinkle relaxer, Xeomin delivers a concentrated “naked” dose of neurotoxin to the treatment area being targeted. In general, Xeomin is used to treat glabellar lines, which are the wrinkles that form between the eyebrows.
Jeuveau®
It has a very similar formula to Botox with a purified neurotoxin that relaxes the facial muscles, particularly the upper face and frown lines around the mouth. This relaxer is ideal for patients who have moderate wrinkles.
Other Treatments Available
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are another popular treatment for facial wrinkles and crow’s feet. Also called soft-tissue fillers, these products are injected into the skin to provide more volume in certain areas and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. To reduce eye wrinkles that appear even when the face is at rest, dermal fillers may be one of the most effective options.
Fillers like Juvederm, Radiesse, and Restylane are relatively popular for treating facial wrinkles. Each type of dermal filler has slightly different components, so make sure to speak with a dermatologist to determine which type of filler is the best solution. For a longer-term wrinkle solution, dermal fillers can last anywhere from three months to one year.
Chemical Peels
The treatment can improve the appearance of crow’s feet and promote younger, healthier-looking skin. The procedure includes putting a chemical solution on the face that removes the old skin’s outer layer, leaving behind new, smoother skin. In addition, chemical peels have three different types, which include:
- Superficial peels
- Medium-depth peels
- Deep peels
The chemical peel effects and the recovery time involved will depend on the type of peel to get. That said, superficial peels are relatively painless and require little or no downtime. On the other hand, deeper peels can be very painful and may even require anesthesia.
To experience the best result, superficial peels should be repeated every 2–4 weeks and medium-depth peels every 6–12 months until the desired results are achieved.
Microneedling
Another procedure that is being done a lot more commonly now and is effective is microneedling. It uses tiny needles to stimulate collagen renewal and collagen formation in the skin. It really can improve the appearance of wrinkles.
Laser Resurfacing
This procedure removes the skin’s upper layers, revealing newer, younger-looking skin. In fact, laser resurfacing works well for crow’s feet because it heats several layers of skin, promoting the production of collagen. Because of that, the increased collagen production can help the skin around the eyes heal in a smoother, more even way.
However, pain medicine may be given before the procedure. The ablative laser resurfacing involves a laser wand focused on the face. The face may be wrapped in a dressing for several days after the procedure.
Complete healing can take several weeks. This treatment tightens skin and claims to make a person look 10–20 years younger, and results last up to 10 years. Laser resurfacing may not eliminate crow’s feet so doctors may combine it with other techniques, such as Botox injections.
Over-The-Counter and Prescription
There are many eye creams made with retinol that can help reduce the appearance of crow’s feet and help prevent crow’s feet. Known by over-the-counter brands like RoC Retinol Correxion and prescription brands like Renoval, it is an affordable option that can be done daily.
However, there’s one disadvantage – it isn’t as effective as other, more expensive methods. The results are often minimal, and the best results are seen by women (and men) who started using
g these creams before they began to see their crow’s feet.
The Bottom Line
The aging process can make the skin undergoes gradual changes, including the development of crow’s feet due to tiny muscle contractions that happen every time while making a facial expression. Lush Skin Aesthetic offers Wrinkle Relaxers, also known as a neuromodulator, for those looking to diminish lines, soften wrinkles, and have a more youthful appearance. Ultimately, this non-invasive treatment smooths the skin by lessening small lines and wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes, providing effective and natural results.
