Think the twenties is too young for crow’s feet? The tiny, crinkly lines at the edges of the eyes that are known as crow’s feet actually start appearing on many faces at around age 25. Even very healthy people who shield their eyes from the sun, don’t drink, and don’t smoke start to see these fine lines developing in the mid-twenties. That’s because 25 years of smiling, laughing, and frowning will combine with the skin’s gradual decline in elasticity to produce these annoying reminders of age.
While it’s not practical to swear that you will never make a facial expression ever again, there are many ways to improve the look of crow’s feet.
Many people, of course, are choosing Botox to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet. Botox is expensive, temporary, and can occasionally cause serious reactions. For these reasons, more and more people are seeking a more natural and less expensive remedy for getting rid of crow’s feet. Facial exercises, if performed carefully and regularly, can reduce the appearance of existing crow’s feet and can slow down the process of accumulating more of the dreaded fine lines.
“Say Cheese”
The “Say Cheese” facial exercise is good for preventing crow’s feet. The first few times you do this exercise, you need to use a mirror to make sure you are doing it properly. Smile as widely as you can without causing the skin around your eyes to crinkle. Focus on smiling with your mouth only, and not pushing your cheeks up so high that they create eye creases. Hold this position for five seconds, and repeat ten times, at least once a day. When done regularly, this exercise trains you to smile without creasing the delicate skin around your eyes, which creates and worsens crow’s feet lines. The more you get used to keeping that area relaxed, the less you will notice crow’s feet.
“Compass Points”
For this exercise, close your eyes and visualize a compass. While keeping the muscles around your eyes relaxed (don’t squint) rapidly look up and down under your eyelids ten times (North and South on your “compass.”) Next look left and right (West and East on your “compass”) quickly ten times. Repeat this exercise three times, at least once a day.
Crow’s Feet Massage
For a massage that helps reduce the appearance of crow’s feet over time, you’ll need to use either a massage oil formulated for the face (body oils will clog pores when used on the face) or your favourite anti-aging/anti-wrinkle/anti-crow’s feet cream. (Creams like LifeCell, when used regularly, can help erase wrinkles because they nourish and tighten skin. LifeCell also has the added bonus of making fine lines disappear instantly while you wear it because it reflects light in a unique way that camouflages wrinkles.) Put a small amount on your left ring finger. Place the third and fourth fingers of your right hand on the right side of your face, on either side of your crow’s feet lines. Apply slight pressure outwards with those fingers in order to make the crow’s feet lines disappear, or appear shallower (this depends on how deep your crow’s feet are.) Using the left ring finger with the cream on it, apply gentle pressure and massage in circles all over the area affected by crow’s feet lines. Continue massaging for at least one minute. Switch to the other side and follow the same procedure. Do this every morning and evening.
Skin Care to Avoid Crow’s Feet
There are many things that can be done to avoid crow’s feet. Using a good moisturizer designed for the eye area and always remembering sunscreen when heading outdoors will prevent skin damage that hastens the appearance of fine lines and crinkles. Wearing sunglasses outdoors will prevent squinting, which speeds up the formation of crow’s feet. If you need glasses to improve your vision, make sure you wear them so that you aren’t squinting at work or to read the morning paper. Refraining from smoking and drinking alcohol helps prevent wrinkles of all types, and staying hydrated is important too.
HGH: The New Alternative to Cosmetic Surgery
Crow’s feet, like other wrinkles and fine lines, start to appear when skin starts to lose elasticity, and no longer snaps back into place easily after being contorted into a facial expression. The major cause of this loss of elasticity is due to the fact that the body produces less Human Growth Hormone, or HGH, as it ages. Many people are turning to HGH injections or supplements to avoid wrinkles, as well as other signs and symptoms of aging like exhaustion, a slow metabolism, a difficulty building and maintaining muscle, and aching joints. Since injections are expensive and illegal without a prescription, quality brands of HGH supplements like GHR1000, HGH Advanced, Genf20 and Genf20 Plus that cause the body to produce more of its own HGH are becoming more popular than ever.
There are many alternatives to surgery and Botox when crow’s feet need to be reduced or eliminated. A combination of facial exercises, anti-aging creams like LifeCell, and HGH supplements will certainly give the fastest results, but picking a single strategy and sticking with it will also result in a definite improvement.
