Crow's Feet (Lateral Canthal Lines)

How do you prevent crow’s feet?

There are several lifestyle choices you can make to help combat fine lines and wrinkles. But there are also topical creams and tools available over the counter (OTC) that you can apply to your skin to help prevent crow’s feet.

Some over-the-counter options to prevent and treat crow’s feet are:

• Exfoliation. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the epidermis or top layer of your skin, leaving only fresh, healthy skin. This can reduce the appearance of fine lines that lead to crow’s feet.
• Peptide creams. Peptides are amino acids that occur naturally in your skin. Conveniently, they also come in creams and gels that can help fight lines. When applied to your skin, your body interprets the amino acids in peptides as damaged collagen, so it produces collagen to repair the damage. This repair plumps fine lines and wrinkles.
• Retinol. Retinol is a well-known topical treatment for combating the effects of aging. Made from vitamin A, retinol stimulates the production of collagen and elastin — two key ingredients in your skin that give it a youthful, plump look. It’s available over the counter, but consult your dermatologist if you think you need a higher dose. Retinol treatment does have side effects.

Is there a medication to get rid of crow’s feet?

As you age, your crow’s feet might become deeper and more defined. In this case, you may decide to consult with a dermatologist to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet.

Some options for treating crow’s feet that require the help of your dermatologist are:

• Chemical peels, such as glycolic acid or alpha hydroxy. There are some over-the-counter alpha hydroxy options available, but your dermatologist can apply peels with a higher percentage of glycolic acid than you can buy over the counter.
• Botulinum toxin injections, also known as Botox®. During this procedure, your healthcare provider injects a small amount of botulinum toxin known by several brand names. This injection works by blocking muscle contractions (like those that happen when you squint), which can help prevent fine lines and wrinkles from forming.
• Topical retinol. If over-the-counter retinol treatments aren’t effective, your provider may prescribe a product with higher levels of retinol.

Complications/side effects of the treatment

As with all medications, both over-the-counter treatments and those provided by your healthcare provider come with some risks. You’re more likely to experience side effects from treatments if you have sensitive skin. Some side effects include:

• Skin irritation from retinol creams. You’re more likely to experience irritation from retinol when you use it for the first time or in high concentrations. Some side effects include itching, peeling, redness, puffiness or scaly patches on your skin. You should also avoid direct sunlight after applying retinol.
• Botulinum toxin injection side effects. Side effects from botulinum toxin injections include pain, redness or swelling at the site of injection, headache, neck stiffness and drooping eyelids (ptosis).