We advise you to prevent its appearance without going through the operating room.
The appearance of wrinkles is a natural process in human life. They are formed in part due to cellular senescence processes, which deteriorate the state of tissues in different ways. The aging of the skin causes it to become thinner, lax and less flexible, which added to different environmental causes end up forming skin wrinkles.
Crow’s feet in particular are wrinkles that appear around the eyes and usually appear on average from the age of thirty , but there are people who will develop them closer to twenty and others who will not see them appear until well into their the forties
In this article we will talk about crow’s feet, how they form and how we can prevent their appearance or reduce their severity.
Why do crow’s feet appear?
Crow’s feet, like the rest of the wrinkles that we can develop, are produced by the aging of our body. The skin loses the properties it had during youth as a natural consequence of the degradation caused by cellular aging , added to external factors such as mechanical stress or exposure to UV rays.
The causes of cellular aging are diverse and represent an interesting field of study, since understanding how we age can be the first step to curb the effects of this process and even reverse it over time, albeit partially.
In the skin, aging at the cellular level occurs when the basal layer, which is responsible for generating cells that will become part of the upper layers of this organ, loses part of its proliferative capacity. As a consequence, the epidermis becomes thinner and more sensitive to external damage .
In addition, there are also changes in the extracellular matrix of the skin that affect collagen, elastin and proteoglycans. These are needed for the skin to be smooth, elastic and with an adequate level of hydration, but aging makes it difficult for them to carry out these functions.
Crow’s feet in particular occur more easily because the skin around the eyes is thinner and has fewer sebaceous glands , features that facilitate wrinkling. This adds to the fact that crow’s feet are dynamic wrinkles, which appear due to the repeated mechanical stress to which we subject the skin. In the case of crow’s feet, our facial expressions are to blame for their early appearance.
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Remedies to stop the appearance of wrinkles
Crow’s feet unfortunately cannot be eliminated 100% . Even so, we can stop its appearance and hide its appearance by following some general skin care tips, added to the consumption of certain foods and natural remedies that can improve the condition and appearance of our protective organ.
1. Avoid sunlight
Sunlight, specifically the ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by our star, is an important cause of skin deterioration. If we live in places with many hours of intense sunshine per year, we will notice skin aging sooner.
To avoid the deterioration of the skin associated with solar radiation, we must avoid the most intense hours of sun and, if possible, wear sun protection whenever we are going to spend time outdoors in the sun. Fortunately, there are cosmetic products that contain some degree of protection against UV rays , so long-term use will stop the appearance of skin blemishes and wrinkles such as crow’s feet.
2. Maintain proper hydration
As we have mentioned before, skin hydration is one of the fundamental components that maintain its good condition and youthful properties. The consumption of between 6 and 8 glasses of water daily (more or less 1.2 liters) will ensure proper hydration.
In addition to slowing down the signs of skin aging, being well hydrated has many benefits for our general health . If we want to maintain a healthy life and look young for as long as possible, the right thing to do is make drinking enough water a day a constant habit.
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3. Use exfoliants from time to time
The use of exfoliants should always be done respecting the times between applications, so that we do not use them more than twice a week. Exfoliants promote the activity of the skin’s basal lamina , producing a greater number of new cells for our epidermis, which can fill in wrinkles and diminish their appearance.
The skin around the eye is extremely delicate, so the use of physical exfoliants, which are more aggressive than chemical ones, is not recommended. If we choose to use an exfoliant to remove crow’s feet, it will be better to use a less aggressive but equally effective one, such as glycolic acid .
4. Avoid mechanical stress
Mechanical stress is another factor that promotes the appearance of crow’s feet. If we seek to avoid them or stop their appearance, we must bear in mind that our facial expressions and daily habits can worsen the state of the delicate skin around the eye.
There is little we can do to avoid the mechanical stress caused by facial expressions , but for crow’s feet specifically there are some ways to reduce it. The use of sunglasses , in addition to protecting our eyes and the skin around them from UV rays, will prevent us from squinting in response to light. It may seem like a joke, but when it comes to avoiding wrinkles, all help is little.
In addition to the use of sunglasses, the use of sheet covers made of slippery material, such as silk, is recommended . This will prevent us from causing damage to the skin around the eye if we move while we sleep, stopping the appearance of wrinkles.
5. Consume antioxidants
Part of cellular aging is caused by the action of oxidizing molecules, also known as ROS (reactive oxygen species). ROS appear as a consequence of the natural metabolism of oxygen and have important biological functions at the cellular level, but they also impair our health.
One way to curb the effects of ROS is to eat foods high in antioxidants , such as green tea, aloe vera, fruits such as strawberries or blueberries, or even nuts.
6. Eat a low-carb diet
Part of the problem with skin aging is a process called glycation. Glycation processes occur when blood glucose is associated with skin proteins, such as collagen or elastin, hindering its normal function. This happens spontaneously.
Keeping blood sugar levels low is a good way to limit the speed and frequency with which glycation processes occur , improving the health of our skin proteins and delaying their deterioration. It’s another compelling reason to stop eating too many sweets.
7. Eat foods that reduce photoaging
Photoaging is the deterioration of the skin caused by exposure to UV rays. Although we can avoid them as much as possible, it will be difficult for us to avoid the sun at all times and at the same time maintain a normal life.
To mediate the effects of photoaging, there are certain natural remedies that can help you . Green tea , in addition to being an excellent source of antioxidants, protects against inflammation (another source of ROS) and also against the carcinogenic and photoaging effects caused by UV light, whether consumed orally or used topically.
Another ally against photoaging is the pomegranate . This fruit confers a certain degree of protection against the effects of photoaging for skin cells, such as keratinocytes. The consumption of this fruit or its inclusion as a supplement in skin care products can be beneficial to prevent the appearance of crow’s feet.
8. Use of natural remedies that take care of the extracellular matrix
As we have mentioned, the extracellular matrix plays an important role in aging. Inflammation, ROS exposure, and sun damage cause a deterioration in the health of the extracellular matrix , which leads to a destabilization of molecules such as collagen and hyaluronic acid, which maintain the good health and youthful appearance of our skin.
Fortunately, there are certain natural compounds that can help us take care of the health of our extracellular matrix, delaying the arrival of crow’s feet or reducing their appearance.
One of these remedies is the camellia flower. Camellia japonica extract has been found to have a strong moisturizing effect and promote collagen formation when used topically. Ginseng root can also promote collagen formation. Both plants can be a great ally for the elimination of crow’s feet.
Another interesting example is that of cinnamon, which also promotes collagen formation within the fibroblasts of the dermis . Nowadays, scientific research constantly finds natural remedies against the symptoms of aging, while we know better the causes of it, which gives us hope that one day aging can stop definitively.
Bibliographic references
- Binic, I., Lazarevic, V., Ljubenovic, M., Mojsa, J., & Sokolovic, D. (2013). Skin aging: natural weapons and strategies. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine: eCAM, 2013, 827248. doi:10.1155/2013/827248.
- Ganceviciene, R., Liakou, AI, Theodoridis, A., Makrantonaki, E., & Zouboulis, CC (2012). Skin antiaging strategies. Dermato-endocrinology, 4(3), 308–319. doi:10.4161/derm.22804.
- Zhang, S., & Duan, E. (2018). Fighting against Skin Aging: The Way from Bench to Bedside. Cell transplantation, 27(5), 729–738. doi:10.1177/0963689717725755.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.