The fine lines that form at the corners of your eyes when you smile or squint are known as crow's feet. Over time, these lines may continue to be visible even when you're not smiling, and they can become quite deep. This occurs primarily because our skin loses its elasticity as we age. Both men and women experience crow's feet as a natural part of the aging process, but they often experience them very differently. Understanding why can make the preventive measures and treatments you choose more effective.
There are many differences between men and women when it comes to crow's feet, but there are also some similarities. One common cause is repeated facial expressions. Throughout your life, you will repeatedly squint and hopefully smile and laugh often. Each time you do, small lines and wrinkles will appear at the corners of your eyes. When the muscles of your face relax, your skin returns to its normal position and these lines go away.
But as you age, your skin loses some elastin and collagen, which means it loses its elasticity. In time, this loss prevents your skin from snapping back when your facial expression changes, and the lines around your eyes become permanent fixtures. Environmental factors like sun exposure, pollution, and smoking can all accelerate this loss of skin elasticity in both men and women, making crow's feet appear earlier in life and form more deeply when they do.
As marriage counselors, relationship experts, talk show hosts, and divorce lawyers can attest, men and women are not the same. Although strikingly similar in some ways, there are many physiological differences. Because of these differences, men and women experience crow's feet in dissimilar ways.
Men generally have thicker skin than women, and this is both a blessing and a curse when it comes to crow's feet. Thicker skin contains more collagen and elastin, allowing it to lose its elasticity more slowly. This delays the onset of crow's feet. Unfortunately, thick skin hangs onto crow's feet tenaciously when they do form, making the wrinkles deeper.
Women have thinner skin that contains less collagen and elastin. Their skin loses its elasticity more quickly so crow's feet may form at a younger age. They are likely to be more subtle, however, often appearing as fine lines rather than deep wrinkles.
Gentlemen, you get the short end of the stick on this one. Because your facial muscles are stronger and more prominent, your crow's feet will be deeper and more angular. Women may develop more wrinkles in their crow's feet, but their smaller muscles allow these wrinkles to remain fine lines for a period of time.
The facial expressions men and women use also impact crow's feet. Men are more likely to squint and frown while women tend to smile more. Both facial gestures lead to crow's feet in time, but they use different facial muscles. This, of course, affects the way crow's feet form.
While women may win the facial muscle round, men definitely come out on top in the hormone category. As you know, men deal in testosterone and women in estrogen. During menopause, a woman's estrogen levels drop dramatically. Because estrogen plays a critical role in skin hydration and collagen production, the loss of it can dramatically change the overall condition of the skin and lead to crow's feet quickly.
Men do lose testosterone as they age, but this process occurs later in life and happens more slowly. These factors make crow's feet appear later in a man's life and may allow them to form more gradually. This is one reason why anti-aging skincare products are so often marketed to women: there may be a bit of sexism involved since our society is so focused on women's beauty, but there is also science.
Both men and women may enjoy outdoor activities or work outdoors, spending a significant amount of time in the sun. The sun's harmful UV rays can damage the skin, however, and accelerate the loss of skin elasticity and crow's feet. Although certainly not a hard and fast rule, women tend to be more diligent about skincare in general and wearing sunscreen. As such, outdoorsy women may develop less prominent crow's feet than men.
Since the differences between men and women affect the arrival and appearance of crow's feet, it makes sense that these differences would impact treatment as well. Although the treatment options may be the same for both genders, how they work does vary.
Both men and women who prefer to avoid taking a surgical approach to fixing crow's feet have several non-invasive options to choose from. One popular choice for crow's feet is Botox and other similar injectables. These treatments work by relaxing the muscles around the eyes to minimize the appearance of crow's feet. Men often require higher doses of Botox, however, because their facial muscles are stronger.
Dermal fillers are another option. These fillers literally fill depressions in the skin, plumping them to even and smooth the skin. As is true of Botox, men may need more filler since their crow's feet form deeper wrinkles. Men's stronger muscle movements also mean that fillers break down faster, requiring more treatments to maintain their appearance.
Laser resurfacing and chemical peels may also be beneficial. Although one uses chemicals and the other a laser, the goal of both treatments is to rejuvenate the skin. This is done by removing the skin's top layer to stimulate the growth of healthier new skin cells. Once again, men's thicker skin means they often require more treatment sessions to achieve the same results as their female counterparts. Men's thicker skin holds collagen better, however, so treatment results may last longer.
Mia Aesthetics does not perform or endorse laser treatments or chemical peels. If you're interested in these treatments, we recommend consulting a dermatologist.
There are many creams and serums designed to reduce the appearance of crow's feet and they can work if the issue isn't yet advanced. These treatments contain retinoids, peptides, and other skin-nourishing ingredients. Because their skin is thinner, women absorb these skin enhancers more quickly than men. Men may need more time to see results.
Topical creams and non-invasive treatments may work for awhile, but eventually crow's feet can become too deep and render them ineffective. These treatments also work only as long as you keep up with them. As soon as you stop using topical creams your crow's feet will come back. Botox, fillers, and other treatments last for a time but need regular upkeep to hold crow's feet at bay.
Plastic surgery, however, can banish crow's feet for five years or more. Surgery is also customizable. Men usually want to maintain a rugged, natural look by fixing their crow's feet only. Women, however, often choose a more comprehensive solution, combining their crow's feet surgery with a facelift, neck lift, or similar procedures. Men too can combine multiple surgeries if they wish—they just don't tend to do it as often.
Men and women can do many of the same things to try and prevent crow's feet, but the differences between them do make for some subtle changes in focus. Depending on your gender, you may wish to pay extra attention to the following:
Men
Women
The right treatment for crow's feet can vary by gender and may even differ from person to person within the same sex. To get help choosing the best plan for you, reach out to us through our free virtual consultation contact form. When you do, we'll get in touch and help you decide what your crow's feet need.