Aging means multiple changes in the body, the most noticeable of which is your skin. Fine lines and wrinkles begin to form as early as your 30s but become more noticeable in your 50s and 60s.
However, many lifestyle factors affect how your skin ages, including whether you smoke or spend time in the sun. The better you take care of your skin, the older you will be when crow's feet and wrinkles form.
Crow's feet begin slowly and are first noticeable only when you smile; as they worsen, they may be evident even when you're at rest and not making facial expressions.
If you're embarrassed about crow's feet, you have a few treatment options that Monique Petteys, FNP-C, and the team at The Women's Center at Life Point Medical provide. Monique offers various injectable treatments, including Botox® for crow's feet and other signs of aging.
Crow's feet are those pesky fine lines that form around the eyes. They are also known as lateral canthal lines and often begin to show as your skin ages.
The cause of crow's feet is years of the small muscles around the eyes contracting when you show certain emotions like laughing or crying. Over time, the skin wrinkles around the muscles, especially when it loses elasticity.
The leading cause of crow's feet is muscle contracting, but other factors also play a role in developing them. Sun exposure, smoking, and genetics contribute to your chances of developing crow's feet.
Collagen and elastin, two proteins that are essential for plump and elastic skin, also decrease with age. As your body makes less of these proteins, it's more likely that you'll start to notice fine lines and wrinkles on the face and skin.
Botox is a medical-grade injectable derived from the toxin formed by the bacteria that causes botulism. Although botulism is a dangerous type of food poisoning, researchers have targeted the toxin and made it into a cosmetic treatment that temporarily reduces certain signs of aging.
In small doses, Botox helps temporarily reduce wrinkles and fine lines on and around the face. It works by blocking nerve signals to specific muscles, paralyzing them for a period.
Botox injections aren't harmful and are extremely effective when given by a professional. However, you must be careful after the injections and follow specific guidelines to ensure the best results.
Botox injections are an excellent option for crow's feet because they paralyze the muscles that cause the tiny lines to form around the outer corners of the eyes. When the toxin blocks the nerves to the muscles, they can't contract often, causing less noticeable lines around the eyes.
After one round of injections, you notice a significant reduction in the tiny lines around the eyes. The results are especially noticeable when you smile or make facial expressions that generally trigger the crow's feet to stand out.
It may take up to three days to see your results, but you'll never want to return once you see them. Botox is a safe and effective treatment for crow's feet and other wrinkles around the face.
The results of Botox differ from person to person depending on various factors. Your body may metabolize the toxin faster than others or last longer than a few months.
Most people get about three to four months out of a round of Botox injections for crow's feet. Taking special precautions after the injections and following a good skincare routine helps the results last longer.
Some people may get as much as six months out of one round of injections, but three months is more common. Monique discusses your case and needs to prepare you for follow-up injections.
Call The Women's Center at Life Point Medical today to schedule a Botox appointment or request a consultation with Monique using our convenient online booking tool.
