Crows Feet Overview

Crow’s Feet Causes

Causes of Crow’s Feet

Hoping to avoid crow’s feet ? Sun damage is a primary cause of wrinkles. You can minimize the likelihood of developing wrinkles around your eyes by applying sunscreen (SPF 30+, broad spectrum sunscreen, but not too close to the eye) and wearing protective eyewear, such as wraparound sunglasses. To make an informed decision when selecting a sunscreen product, it is important to know that more thorough coverage is provided by broad spectrum formulations. These sunscreens offer not only UVB (ultraviolet B) protection, but they also include UVA (ultraviolet A) blocking agents – UVA rays cause most of the damage that leads to premature aging of the skin. Make sunscreen a part of your daily routine, re-apply sunscreen every two hours or more frequently if you are active in the water or perspiring a lot. The minerals contained in physical sunscreens, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, work by forming a surface layer on the skin that will absorb, reflect and scatter the sun’s harmful UV rays before they can penetrate into the skin itself. Be generous with the amount of sunscreen that you apply (the recommendation is 2mg/cm2) – most people underestimate the necessary amount and therefore, do not receive the intended protective effect indicated by the SPF level listed on the packaging. Do not forget your wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses too!Some wrinkles are produced by repeated movement of the skin.

Intrinsic ageing

Intrinsic ageing of the skin is inevitable, and is genetically predetermined. It occurs because of accumulation of reactive oxygen species, biological aging of cells, and reduced cellular supply of nutrients and oxygen.

• The rate of epidermal cell proliferation slows, affecting structure and function of the skin. The skin thins and flattens, with less resistance to shearing forces and injury.

• Water content in the stratum corneum reduces, with less transepidermal water loss.

• Hair thins and greys.

• The numbers of melanocytes reduce.

• Sebum production reduces.

• The dermis has reduced vascularity.

• There are fewer dermal mast cells and fibroblasts, and reduced glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid and ground substance.

• There is reduced collagen and elastin turnover, and increased glycation.

• Volume of subcutaneous fat diminishes, especially on face hands and feet—whereas, it increases on thighs, waist and abdo men.

• Ageing is immune suppressing, leading to increased risk of skin cancer.

Menopause in females

In women, loss of oestrogen levels at menopause contribute to premature aging, as compared with similarly aged men.

Photoaging

Photoaging is due to damage caused by solar radiation. Cell damage occurs because of the formation of reactive oxygen species.

• High energy, short wavelength UVB damages DNA and other components of the epidermis.

• Longer-wavelength UVA is 100 times more prevalent than UVB at the earth’s surface, but is of lower energy, so is less damag ing to DNA. UVA penetrates more deeply into the dermis, damaging elastic tissue, collagen, blood vessels and immune cells.

• Infrared radiation penetrates to the deeper dermis and subcutaneous tissue, where it may also contribute to sun damage.

Crow’s Feet Causes

Causes of Crow’s Feet

Immune dysfunction

Immune dysfunction also affects skin ageing.

Examples include:

• Immune deficiency diseases

• Immunosuppressive agents

• Chronic psychological stress

What are the clinical features of ageing skin ?

Intrinsic aging

• Ageing skin is thin and inelastic, tearing easily.

• It recovers more slowly from mechanical depression than younger skin.

• Women have thinner skin then men.

• Skin is dry, especially after frequent washing with soap and water.

• Dry skin increases the risk of asteatotic eczema

• The barrier function of the skin is less effective than when younger

• Pigmentation is uneven due to melanocyte activation (melanosis) and inactivation (guttate hypomelanosis)

In those genetically predisposed, ageing skin develops:

• Telangiectases and cherry angiomas

• Seborrhoeic keratosesPhotoageing

Photoageing results in:

• Fine lines and wrinkles

• Discoloration

• Textural changes

• Thin skin that easily blisters, tears and grazes

• Solar elastosis/heliosis

• Solar lentigos and freckles

• Solar comedones and colloid milia

• Senile/solar purpura

• Scarring, eg from sunburn

• Actinic keratoses (tender dry spots)

• Skin cancer (destructive growths)

Smoking

Compared to non-smokers of the same age, long-term smokers have:

• More facial lines

• Baggy eyelids and jawline

• Yellowish sallow complexion

• Open and closed comedones and cysts (Favre-Racouchot syndrome )

• Greater risk of skin cancer

Crow’s Feet Causes

Causes of Crow’s Feet

Complications of ageing skin

Ageing skin is prone to keratinocytic skin cancer and some types of melanoma. The most common form of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma. However, excessively photoaged skin is at increased risk of intraepidermal carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, lentiginous forms of melanoma, and rare forms of skin cancer such as merkel cell carcinoma.

How can the signs of ageing skin be prevented ?

Intrinsic ageing is inevitable. In perimenopausal women, systemic hormone replacement may delay skin thinning; the skin is less dry, with fewer wrinkles, and wound healing is faster than prior to treatment. Replacement is less effective at improving skin ageing in the postmenopausal decades. The effects of topical oestrogens, phyto-oestrogens and progestins are under investigation.

Protection from solar UV is essential at all ages.

• Be aware of daily UV index levels, eg adhere to Sun Protection Alert advice.

• Avoid outdoor activities during the middle of the day.

• Wear sun-protective clothing: broad-brimmed hat, long sleeves and trousers/skirts.

• Apply very high sun-protection factor, broad-spectrum sunscreens to exposed skin.

Do not smoke and where possible, avoid exposure to pollutants. Take plenty of exercise—active people appear younger than inactive people. Eat fruit and vegetables daily to provide natural antioxidants.

Many oral supplements with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have been advocated to retard skin ageing and to improve skin health. They include carotenoids, polyphenols, chlorophyll, aloe vera, vitamins B, C and E, red ginseng, squalene, and omega-3 fatty acids. Their role is unclear.