Wrinkles at the corners of the eyes｜Doctors explain causes, treatment, and home care.

"Foundation settles into the crease at the corner of my eye."
"The lines at the corners of my eyes tend to make me look older and tired."
"How can I improve the wrinkles at the corners of my eyes?"

Do you have questions or concerns like these about crow's feet?

Hello. I am a doctor at the cosmetic dermatology practice Smart Skin Clinic.
In this article, we take an expert look at crow's feet, covering the different types, their causes, treatment options, and at-home care.

If you would like to skip straight to treatments and at-home care for crow's feet, you can jump directly to the relevant section from the table of contents.

Supervisor Information

Group Chief Director, Smart Skin Clinic Group

IshiiIshii KotaKota

Career

Graduated from Juntendo University School of Medicine

Worked at Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital and affiliated facilities

Worked at a major aesthetic clinic in Tokyo

Affiliations / Qualifications

Board-certified specialist, Japan Surgical Society

Board-certified specialist, Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Medicine

Types of crow's feet

Although we tend to speak of "crow's feet" as a single thing, they can in fact be grouped into the categories below.

Because the right treatment differs for each type of wrinkle,it is important to correctly identify which type your wrinkles fall into. The chart below summarizes them.

Type	fine lines	Expression wrinkles	Deep wrinkles	Sagging wrinkles
Features	Fine, crepe-like, shallow	Appear along with facial expressions	Visible even without expression; deeply set	Appear along with sagging skin
Main Causes	Dryness	Habitual facial expressions	Aging UV rays	Aging Skin laxity Weakening of the orbicularis oculi muscle
At-home care	Moisturizing Reviewing your skincare	Relaxing muscle tension	UV protection	Scalp massage
Treatment	Iontophoresis Topical tretinoin Sunekos injection Sunekos Performa injection Jalupro Classic injection Pluryal Silk injection PRP injection	Botulinum toxin injection	Gouri injection Juvelook Volume (Lenisna) injection PRP injection	Profhilo injection

Crow's feet can be broadly divided into four types: fine lines, surface (epidermal) lines, deep wrinkles, and sagging wrinkles.

Wrinkles that form near the surface of the skin are relatively shallow, and they grow deeper and larger the further they reach into the skin. Because fine lines can deepen if left untreated, early care is important. As deep wrinkles progress, structural changes in the skin, bone, and muscle can give rise to sagging wrinkles.

Even though we call them all "crow's feet," the care and treatment best suited to each condition differ. In many cases, several types of wrinkles also overlap in the same area.

The corner of the eye is structurally prone to wrinkling

The area around the outer corner of the eye has the following features that make it prone to wrinkling.

The outer corner of the eye is a very delicate structure. For this reason, crow's feet can appear even at a young age.

There are also data suggesting that, due to differences in skin physiology and lifestyle, crow's feet tend to form in men more than 10 years earlier than in women (*).

What causes crow's feet?

So why do crow's feet form?
Crow's feet are not caused by any single factor; rather, the following factors act in combination.

Dryness

When the skin becomes dry, crow's feet tend to appear more readily.

The eye area is structurally prone to dryness in the first place. Skin with a good balance of moisture and oil is plump and finely textured, but when it dries out, the surface becomes uneven and fine lines appear. Skin lacking moisture and oil becomes vulnerable not only to dryness but also to external damage, and wrinkles may extend into the deeper layers.

Aging

With age, wrinkles of every kind become more noticeable.

In women, the secretion of female hormones begins to decline in the late 30s and drops sharply around age 50. Female hormones help stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid, collagen, elastin, and other components in the skin that give it firmness and elasticity. As hormone secretion falls, the internal structure of the skin degenerates and becomes uneven, and wrinkles form.

In addition, the skin's renewal cycle (turnover) slows with age, and the resulting rougher texture leads to fine lines.

Habitual facial expressions

Habitual facial expressions lead to expression lines. Crow's feet are sometimes called "laugh lines," and the act of smiling in particular contributes to them.

The outer corner of the eye is an area where the skin readily stretches and contracts with blinking and facial expressions. When the same movement is repeated many times, the skin springs back as long as it retains its elasticity; but once that elasticity is lost, the creases tend to remain.

Also, when the muscles stay tense for long periods, blood flow declines and skin condition suffers.

UV damage

Exposure to ultraviolet light leads to the formation of deep wrinkles.

Photoaging accounts for 80% of aging,as the saying goes. Of the ultraviolet rays, UVA reaches all the way to the dermis deep within the skin. When collagen and elastin in the dermis are damaged and degraded, deep wrinkles result. UV rays are present all year round and even pass through window glass.

Ultraviolet rays also damage the eyes. Reactive oxygen species increase, the autonomic nervous system can become disturbed, and skin regeneration may be affected as well.

Irritation and friction at the corner of the eye

Because the skin around the eyes is very thin, repeated irritation and friction can easily cause wrinkles.
For example, do you have any of the following habits?

Friction from daily, repeated makeup and skincare routines contributes to the formation of wrinkles. Unconsciously scratching around the eyes because of itching from allergies and the like can also damage the skin.

Eye strain

Eye strain leads to crow's feet by causing poor circulation.

Prolonged use of computers and smartphones strains the ciliary and orbicularis oculi muscles, causing poor circulation around the eyes. When circulation is poor, it becomes harder for nutrients and oxygen to reach the skin around the eyes, which leads to wrinkles.

Disrupted lifestyle habits

Everyday lifestyle habits are also related to crow's feet. For example, the following habits may play a role.

An unbalanced diet

An unbalanced diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies, resulting in rough skin and wrinkles.

Nutrients each have their own role, such as "building the skin," "producing collagen," and "supporting the work of enzymes." Protein is well known as an important skin-building nutrient, but taking in the main nutrients alone is not enough. Micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals, which support the work of the main nutrients, are also essential. The key to obtaining a wide range of nutrients is to eat the right amounts at the right times in a well-balanced way, without leaning too heavily on any particular food or nutrient.

Eating habits such as skipping breakfast, eating late, snacking too often, and consuming too much sugar and fat need to be improved.

Lack of sleep

Lack of sleep hinders skin renewal, disrupts the autonomic nervous system, and leads to wrinkles of every kind.

During sleep, collagen synthesis and growth hormone secretion become active, and this is the time when cells damaged during the day are repaired and regenerated. Lack of sleep interferes with these processes and disrupts the skin's turnover. In addition, poor circulation makes it harder for nutrients to reach the cells around the eyes. Beyond fine lines and deep wrinkles, a disturbed autonomic nervous system can also weaken the muscles, which may lead to sagging wrinkles.

Poor circulation from getting chilled, stress, or smoking

Getting chilled, stress, and smoking all worsen blood flow and lead to crow's feet.

When body temperature drops, the body constricts the blood vessels to keep from losing heat. Stress disturbs the autonomic nervous system, which also constricts the vessels. The nicotine in tobacco constricts the blood vessels and makes the blood more viscous.

When circulation is poor, the nutrients the cells need fail to reach them, eventually leading to fine lines from dryness and deep wrinkles from a loss of firmness and elasticity.

At-home care for crow's feet

It is difficult to dramatically improve crow's feet with at-home care alone. However, there are things you can do yourself to help prevent them from worsening. (If you are interested in treatment, please read the section on aesthetic medicine.) Here we introduce at-home care to help prevent crow's feet.

How to prevent wrinkles caused by tired eyes

Here are some ways to rest your eyes and help prevent wrinkles caused by eye strain.

Orbicularis oculi massage can be helpful for sagging wrinkles, but overdoing it or doing it incorrectly may actually worsen expression lines.
A "scalp massage" is a good alternative. The temporalis muscle also affects circulation around the eyes. On the outer corner of the eye, above the ear, gently knead the temporalis muscle with the pads of your fingers or the base of your thumb, lifting it as you go. Pressure about as firm as a shampoo at a hair salon is plenty.

Warming the eye area also relaxes muscle tension and stimulates circulation. A hot eye mask is a convenient way to warm the eye area. Here is a simple method.

Eye makeup removal steps to avoid friction

To avoid forming crow's feet, remove eye makeup carefully using the steps below.

Skincare tips to avoid dryness and friction

Crow's feet can also develop gradually from mistaken daily care.
Take a moment to review whether you are caring for your skin correctly.

To avoid rubbing or pulling hard at the corners of the eyes, use fingers that apply less force, such as the ring or little finger, when applying skincare and cosmetics. If you stop at lotion alone, the moisture you have just applied will escape, so always follow with a milky lotion or cream.

The eye area is also prone to showing signs of aging. Incorporate products made for the eye area as appropriate for your age.

Skincare ingredients effective for improving crow's feet

For fine lines caused by dryness, skincare products containing moisturizing ingredients such as ceramide and hyaluronic acid are recommended.

For deep wrinkles, there are medicated cosmetics containing ingredients approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for improving wrinkles. Ingredients approved for wrinkle improvement include retinol, niacinamide, NEI L1®, and Rice Power® Extract No. 11.

UV protection is a year-round, indoor-and-out essential

To avoid accumulating UV damage, follow the points below.

Reviewing your lifestyle habits

Key points for reviewing your lifestyle are as follows.

Treatments for crow's feet [Aesthetic Medicine]

"I want to improve my crow's feet faster than at-home care allows."
"I want to treat only the crow's feet, precisely."

If this describes you, treatment at an aesthetic clinic is the way to go.

Below is a summary of representative treatments for crow's feet.

Item	Ion implantation	Topical tretinoin	SUNEKOS injection	suneKOS performa injection	Jalupro Classic injection	Pluryal Silk injection	Botulinum toxin injection	Juvelook Volume (Lenisna) injection	PRP injection	Gouri injection	profhilo injection
fine lines	○	○	○	○	○	○					○
Expression wrinkles							○
Deep wrinkles								○	○	○	○
Sagging wrinkles									○		○
Treatment description	Delivers skincare ingredients into the skin	Applies a vitamin A derivative to the affected area	Injects a formulation based on non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid and amino acids	Injects an evolved Sunekos formulation blended in a patented ratio	Injects a formulation based on non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid and amino acids	Injects a formulation based on salmon-derived polynucleotides	Injects a botulinum toxin formulation into the muscle	Injects a formulation combining non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid and polylactic acid	Growth factor (FGF) is added to your own platelets and injected	Injects a liquefied formulation of PCL (polycaprolactone)	Injects a formulation combining high- and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid
Effect	Hydration	Promotes turnover and improves firmness	Moisturizes and promotes collagen production	Moisturizes, promotes turnover, and promotes collagen production	Moisturizes, promotes turnover, and promotes collagen production	Moisturizes, promotes collagen production, and provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action	Suppresses muscle movement	Promotes collagen production and improves firmness and radiance	Promotes collagen production, moisturizes, and promotes turnover	Promoting collagen production	Moisturizes, improves firmness and elasticity, and adds natural volume
When the effect appears	immediate	After a few weeks	After a few days	After a few days	A few days later; peaks after a few weeks	A few days after the procedure	1 to 2 weeks later	In 2 to 3 weeks	Gradually	Gradually from a few days later	A few days to a few weeks later; peaks after about one month
Duration of effect	A few days to a week	Effect is sustained with continued use	6 to 9 months	6 to 9 months	6 to 9 months	6 to 12 months	3 to 6 months	1 to 2 years	5 years or more	6 months to 1 year	6 months to 1 year
Downtime	Almost none	Mild redness and peeling	24 hours / pain, redness, swelling, bruising	24 hours / pain, redness, swelling, bruising	24 hours / pain, redness, swelling, itching, bruising	A few days / pain, redness, swelling	Mild swelling and redness for 1 to 2 days	24 hours / pain, redness, swelling, bruising	A few days / redness, swelling	24 hours / redness, bumps, bruising	24 hours / puffiness, redness, swelling, bruising

Ion implantation

This technique uses an electric current to deliver skincare ingredients deeper into the skin than applying them by hand.
It involves no downtime, works quickly, and combines easily with other treatments. Effects vary depending on the agent used.

Topical tretinoin

Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative that works on the skin's metabolism to help improve wrinkles. It promotes cell turnover and collagen production.

In the early stages of use, side effects known as the "A-reaction"—such as redness, peeling, and dryness—may appear. Use it appropriately under a physician's guidance.

SUNEKOS injection

Sunekos is a formulation composed mainly of non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid and six amino acids.

It moisturizes dry skin and promotes collagen production to boost firmness and elasticity. It is especially helpful for improving under-eye dark circles and fine lines, and is well suited to those seeking a natural-looking result.

suneKOS performa injection

Specialized in improving wrinkles around the eyesthe evolved version of Sunekos.It is an injectable formulation. It offers improved efficacy and longevity compared with conventional Sunekos.

Jalupro Classic injection

Jalupro is an injectable formulation composed mainly of non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid and amino acids that promotes skin repair and regeneration.

There are three types—Jalupro Classic, Jalupro HMW, and Jalupro Super Hydro—and Jalupro Classic is recommended for crow's feet.

Pluryal Silk injection

Pluryal Silk is an injectable based on salmon-derived polynucleotides (PN).

By enhancing the skin's self-repair ability and promoting collagen production, it improves skin elasticity and firmness for a natural rejuvenating effect. It is especially suited to delicate areas such as around the eyes and mouth.

Botulinum toxin injection

Using an ultra-fine needle, a small amount of botulinum toxin (Botox) is injected into the muscles responsible for crow's feet.

Botulinum toxin injections can reduce expression lines by temporarily limiting muscle movement, smoothing the skin so that wrinkles become less noticeable.

Juvelook Volume (Lenisna) Injection

Juvelook Volume (Lenisna) is an injectable that combines non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid with polylactic acid (PDLLA).

Its particles are larger than those of Juvelook, so it works deeper in the skin and can be expected to add volume. It promotes the production of collagen and elastin and is effective for deep wrinkles.

PRP Therapy

PRP therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that uses a preparation of PRP with added growth factor (FGF). PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma and is made by concentrating and activating the platelets in your own blood.

Because it promotes the natural regeneration of your own tissue and can help improve wrinkles, sagging, skin depressions, and dark circles, it is recommended for those who are hesitant about injecting foreign substances.

Particularly noteworthy are its long-term effects.

Gouri Injection

Gouri injection is a liquefied injectable preparation containing PCL (polycaprolactone) that is effective for lifting and improving sagging skin. PCL is used as a medical thread and, as it is absorbed by the body, promotes collagen and elastin production.

It is especially effective for wrinkles, sagging, and lifting around the eyes, with 3 to 4 sessions recommended at intervals of about one month.

profhilo injection

Profhilo injection contains high concentrations of high- and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid.

Aimed at overall skin rejuvenation, its high moisturizing effect can help with dry wrinkles, while its actions—such as supporting tissue repair and regulating cell proliferation and differentiation—can help with deep wrinkles and sagging wrinkles.

What you can do to maximize the benefit of your treatment

To get the most out of your treatment, keep the following points in mind beforehand.

It is also important to continue at-home care and to review your lifestyle after treatment, to help prevent new crow's feet from forming.

Makeup techniques to make crow's feet less noticeable

When you want to hide crow's feet right away and cannot get clinic treatment immediately, makeup can help make them less noticeable.

Trying to hide crow's feet with foundation or concealer often backfires, as the product settles into the creases and makes them stand out. Apply foundation thinly and blend it with a sponge.

Instead, apply highlighter to create the visual effect of light softening the appearance of the wrinkles.

It is also important to moisturize well during your pre-makeup skincare to prevent dryness.

What should I do first to improve my crow's feet?

For immediate results, aesthetic treatment; for prevention and maintenance, skincare and lifestyle adjustments.

What causes crow's feet even at a young age?

The skin around the eyes is thin and produces little sebum, making it prone to dryness. This is why crow's feet can appear even at a young age.

How can I use makeup to make crow's feet less noticeable?

After moisturizing, apply foundation thinly and add highlighter at the outer corners of the eyes. Making lip makeup the focal point can also help.

For concerns about crow's feet, turn to Smart Skin Clinic

Have your questions and concerns about crow's feet been answered?

Smart Skin Clinic, an aesthetic dermatology clinic, offers treatments that beautify the skin with injections and IV drips rather than a scalpel. We avoid unnecessary procedures and provide high-quality formulations while keeping costs down. We never pressure you into treatment.

If crow's feet are troubling you in the slightest, please feel free to reach out.

Reference

※Shiseido