crows feet / 11's / forehead lines

crows feet

As you age, you may notice fine lines forming in your skin on the outer corners of your eyes. These are lateral canthal lines, also known as crow’s feet or laugh lines. These small lines and wrinkles form from tiny muscles contracting in the outer corner of your eyes as you experience the many different emotions that influence your facial expressions: laughter, stress, grief and sadness. They usually start out as noticeable lines that form when you smile and your eyes naturally squint. Over time, these fine lines may start to appear on your face when you’re not smiling or even when you’re at rest.

Many other factors play a role in how your skin ages and the development of crow’s feet. Things like sun exposure, whether you use sunscreen, your diet and your genetics are all contributing factors.

Two proteins that help skin retain its plump, youthful appearance — collagen and elastin — naturally decrease as you age. As these proteins wane, you develop fine lines such as frown lines and crow’s feet. Using sunscreen and some facial moisturizers can help prevent crow’s feet from developing. But aging is an inevitable part of life.

What causes crow’s feet?

Collagen and other naturally occurring enzymes in your skin help keep it looking supple and youthful. As you age, however, collagen naturally breaks down from skin. But your lifestyle choices also contribute to how young you’ll develop crow’s feet and how deep your wrinkles will be. Things such as:

• Sun exposure and your use of sunscreen. Wearing SPF 30 or higher can protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun.
• Wearing sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat. Doing so will shield your eyes from the sun’s UV rays and help prevent squinting, which can contribute to crow’s feet.
• Managing stress. It’s not just smiles that cause the fine lines and wrinkles of crow’s feet. Many emotions — anger, anxiety and sadness — cause facial expressions that contribute to crow’s feet. Learning how to handle stress in your life and manage your emotional well-being can help prevent crow’s feet and other facial wrinkles.
• Eating a healthy diet. Foods high in antioxidants can help fight free radicals and pollution that contribute to lines and wrinkles.

11's/forehead lines

The 11’s are one of the most common wrinkles that appear around the eyes and are caused by facial expressions, age and normal skin damage.

Avoidance of these is practically impossible. Some experts say that if you avoid facial expressions you won’t get them as much, but that’s not realistic. Luckily, they can be reduced with our wrinkle relaxers. An injection of BOTOX® is a great way to not only decrease wrinkles, but can also help prevent new ones from forming during the treatment period. BOTOX is a safe and effective neuro-toxin that will paralyze the procerus muscles to erase lines that are already established. Even better – a BOTOX treatment can last up to 3 to 4 months and has few side effects if administered properly by a qualified medical professional.