Crow's Feet | Eye Wrinkles | Skin Renewal Clinics | 1

Eye Wrinkles / Crow's Feet

Fine lines around the eyes, often called crow’s feet or laughter lines, are some of the first visible signs of ageing. These subtle creases may reflect a life full of smiles, but for many, they can also signal a desire to restore youthful skin. With the proper understanding and approach, it’s possible to minimise the appearance of crow’s feet and prevent them from deepening over time.

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What Are Crow’s Feet?

Crow’s feet are the fine lines and wrinkles that appear at the outer corners of the eyes. Unlike other facial wrinkles, they’re often more prominent because the skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate. Also known as periorbital wrinkles, crow’s feet can appear as early as your late twenties or early thirties, especially with frequent facial movement and unprotected sun exposure.

Why Do You Get Crow’s Feet?

Several factors contribute to the development of crow’s feet:

Natural Ageing: As we age, the skin loses collagen and elastin, two proteins that keep it firm and elastic.
Facial Expressions: Repeated movements like smiling, squinting, and frowning cause the skin to crease over time.
Sun Damage: UV exposure breaks down collagen and accelerates skin ageing, especially around the delicate eye area.
Dehydration and Dryness: The skin around the eyes has fewer oil glands, making it more prone to fine lines.
Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, poor diet, stress, and lack of sleep can speed up skin ageing and worsen the appearance of wrinkles.

How Gut Health Affects Crow’s Feet

A healthy gut supports healthy skin. When your gut microbiome is balanced, it enhances nutrient absorption, reduces inflammation, and helps regulate hormonal balance—all contributing to youthful skin. Conditions like leaky gut or chronic inflammation may exacerbate premature ageing, including the appearance of crow’s feet.

Consider integrating:

Probiotics and Prebiotics: Skin Renewal's Ultra Pro 20 helps to support a diverse microbiome.
Anti-inflammatory foods: Such as leafy greens, berries, and fatty fish.
Digestive enzymes: If absorption is compromised, especially for fat-soluble vitamins, digestive enzymes are vital for skin health.

Lifestyle Factors That Contribute to Crow’s Feet

Your daily habits play a significant role in how your skin ages:

Lack of Sleep: Inhibits skin repair and accelerates the ageing process.
Smoking: Constricts blood vessels, depriving skin of oxygen and nutrients.
Chronic Stress: Increases cortisol, which breaks down collagen and elastin.
Excessive Alcohol: Dehydrates the skin and impairs nutrient absorption.
Unprotected Sun Exposure: The leading cause of photoaging—always wear SPF.

Crow’s feet may be a natural part of life, but with the right blend of treatments, skincare, and healthy lifestyle choices, you can reduce their visibility and keep your skin radiant and youthful. At Skin Renewal, our doctor-led team will guide you through a personalised skin journey, combining the latest aesthetic innovation with holistic care for long-term skin health.

Topical Skincare & Targeted Supplements

In addition to professional treatments, specialised eye creams play a vital role in maintaining results and preventing the progression of crow’s feet. These advanced formulations are designed to support collagen production, hydrate delicate skin, and improve visible signs of ageing.

Lamelle Dermaheal Eye Regeneration Plus Cream:

This growth factor-rich eye cream is formulated to actively repair and regenerate the ageing skin around the eyes. It improves elasticity, firms the skin, and softens fine lines, making it ideal for those seeking advanced age correction in a luxurious formulation.

NeoStrata Skin Active Intensive Eye Therapy:

With its SynerG technology, this potent formula enhances volume and improves texture and tone in the eye area. It targets the deeper layers of skin to reduce wrinkles and boost firmness, offering visible rejuvenation with consistent use.

SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye

This multi-action cream is a powerhouse for mature or fatigued eyes. It helps reduce dark circles, puffiness, and crow’s feet. Clinically proven to smooth fine lines, it improves skin firmness and restores a youthful contour around the eyes.

Supplements that support skin health:

Marine Collagen: May improve skin hydration and elasticity.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Reduce inflammation and support skin barrier function.
Vitamin C and E: Essential for collagen synthesis and protection from oxidative stress.

Treatments Available at Skin Renewal

No single treatment is a one-size-fits-all solution. Combination treatments, tailored to your skin’s needs, offer the most effective and natural-looking results. By addressing crow’s feet from multiple angles—muscle movement, volume loss, and skin quality—these protocols improve both short-term appearance and long-term skin health.

At Skin Renewal, a doctor-led approach ensures personalised and effective treatments. Popular non-invasive and minimally invasive options include:

Treatment	Description & Benefits
Botulinum Toxin (Botox® or Dysport®)	Relaxes the muscles responsible for expression lines, visibly smoothing crow’s feet and preventing new dynamic wrinkles from forming.
Dermal Fillers	Hyaluronic acid-based fillers restore lost volume, plump fine lines, and smooth the under-eye area, rejuvenating tired-looking eyes and improving skin elasticity.
Laser Skin Resurfacing	Fractional treatments like Fractional Fusion promote collagen remodelling, improving skin texture, firmness, and tone—ideal for deeper wrinkles and sun damage.
Laser Rejuvenation Treatments	Non-invasive treatments like Pico Toning and Laser Genesis rejuvenate the eye area by stimulating collagen, fading pigmentation, and softening fine lines with minimal downtime.
Chemical Peels	Specialised peels exfoliate gently, improving skin texture, brightening the eye area, and reducing fine lines and pigmentation caused by sun damage.
Radiofrequency Treatments	Devices such as Titania and Endymed deliver controlled heat to tighten skin, reduce sagging, and stimulate collagen in the delicate eye area.
EndyEye Treatment	A gentle, targeted radiofrequency treatment that tightens skin, reduces puffiness, and smooths crow’s feet—ideal for early signs of ageing.
EndyBleph Treatment	A more intensive tightening treatment lifts sagging eyelids, improves skin tone, and softens deeper crow’s feet for a refreshed open-eyed appearance.
T50T35 Eye Peel	A specialised peel for the eye contour that brightens smooths fine lines and reduces pigmentation without irritation. It is perfect for revitalising tired eyes.

Treatment

Description & Benefits

Botulinum Toxin (Botox® or Dysport®)

Relaxes the muscles responsible for expression lines, visibly smoothing crow’s feet and preventing new dynamic wrinkles from forming.

Dermal Fillers

Hyaluronic acid-based fillers restore lost volume, plump fine lines, and smooth the under-eye area, rejuvenating tired-looking eyes and improving skin elasticity.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Fractional treatments like Fractional Fusion promote collagen remodelling, improving skin texture, firmness, and tone—ideal for deeper wrinkles and sun damage.

Laser Rejuvenation Treatments

Non-invasive treatments like Pico Toning and Laser Genesis rejuvenate the eye area by stimulating collagen, fading pigmentation, and softening fine lines with minimal downtime.

Chemical Peels

Specialised peels exfoliate gently, improving skin texture, brightening the eye area, and reducing fine lines and pigmentation caused by sun damage.

Radiofrequency Treatments

Devices such as Titania and Endymed deliver controlled heat to tighten skin, reduce sagging, and stimulate collagen in the delicate eye area.

EndyEye Treatment

A gentle, targeted radiofrequency treatment that tightens skin, reduces puffiness, and smooths crow’s feet—ideal for early signs of ageing.

EndyBleph Treatment

A more intensive tightening treatment lifts sagging eyelids, improves skin tone, and softens deeper crow’s feet for a refreshed open-eyed appearance.

T50T35 Eye Peel

A specialised peel for the eye contour that brightens smooths fine lines and reduces pigmentation without irritation. It is perfect for revitalising tired eyes.

frequently asked
questions

Are treatments for crow's feet available at all Skin Renewal clinics?

Treatments for crow's feet are available in Gauteng at the Morningside, Parkhurst, Rosebank, Bedfordview, Fourways, West Rand, Irene, Waterfall, Irene, Lynnwood and Brooklyn clinics, as well as in the Western Cape at Cape Quarter, Claremont, Constantia, Century City, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Willowbridge clinics, and Kwa-Zulu Natal at the Ballito, Durban and Umhlanga clinics.

Why do you have wrinkles around your eyes?

Wrinkles around the eyes, commonly known as crow's feet, are caused by a combination of factors. The natural ageing process decreases collagen and elastin, essential for maintaining skin elasticity. Repetitive facial expressions, such as squinting or smiling, can also contribute to the development of these lines. Additionally, environmental factors like sun exposure, smoking, and lack of hydration can accelerate the formation of wrinkles around the eyes.

What are the early signs of crow's feet?

The early signs of crow's feet typically include fine lines at the outer corners of the eyes, especially when you smile or squint. These lines may start as subtle creases and become more pronounced as the skin loses elasticity. Other early signs include dryness and a slight loss of skin firmness in the eye area, which can make the lines more noticeable. Early intervention with skincare products and treatments can help delay the progression of crow's feet.

What is the best treatment for crow’s feet?

The best treatment depends on the depth and cause of your crow’s feet. For dynamic wrinkles caused by facial movement, Botox® or Dysport® is highly effective. For volume loss or static wrinkles, dermal fillers or laser resurfacing may be recommended. A combination approach tailored by a qualified aesthetic doctor often yields the best results.

Can crow’s feet be permanently removed?

While crow’s feet can be significantly softened, no treatment can permanently remove them. However, with regular maintenance—such as botulinum toxin, skin rejuvenation treatments, and consistent skincare—you can prevent deeper lines from forming and maintain youthful-looking skin.

How many sessions are needed to treat crow’s feet?

This varies depending on the treatment. Botulinum toxin often requires touch-ups every 3–4 months. Laser treatments like Pico Toning or Laser Genesis may require 4–6 sessions for optimal results. Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan based on your skin condition and goals.

Are crow’s feet treatments safe for sensitive skin around the eyes?

Yes. All treatments offered at Skin Renewal are carefully selected for safety and efficacy in the delicate eye area. The T50T35 Eye Peel, EndyEye, and Laser Genesis are specifically formulated or calibrated for sensitive skin.

At what age should I start treating crow’s feet?

Many begin preventative treatments in their late twenties to early thirties, especially with Botox or peptide-rich eye creams. Starting early can slow the development of deep lines and maintain youthful skin longer.

Is there downtime after crow’s feet treatments?

Most treatments—such as Botox, Laser Genesis, and EndyEye—have minimal to no downtime. More intensive treatments like fractional laser resurfacing or deep chemical peels may involve a few days of redness or peeling. Your provider will guide you on aftercare and recovery expectations.

How can I prevent crow’s feet naturally?

Wear SPF daily, hydrate your skin with eye creams containing hyaluronic acid or peptides, wear sunglasses to prevent squinting, avoid smoking, and follow a healthy lifestyle with a diet rich in antioxidants. Gut health and sleep also play key roles in maintaining healthy skin.

Frequently asked questions