Real Answers from Dr. Niki: June 2015 Edition

I want to address my crow’s feet once and for all. What’s my best option? How often will I need to get treatments?

The first thing to do if you’ve started to notice deepening crow’s feet is to look for the causes. Crow’s feet are most commonly caused by too much sun exposure. Whenever you’re out in the sun, be sure to wear sunscreen, and maybe invest in a few hats to protect your delicate facial skin from the sun’s harsh rays.

Crow’s feet are also commonly caused by squinting. The easiest way to keep yourself from squinting is to make sure that your glasses or contact prescription is up-to-date and that you wear sunglasses whenever you are outside on a bright day. Smoking can also contribute to crow’s feet.

Of course, treating your skin right won’t take away the damage that’s already been done. If your crow’s feet make you self-conscious, the easiest way to address the problem is with Botox. Chicago plastic surgeons skilled in Botox injections can help you reduce the appearance of wrinkles around your eyes without taking any surgical steps. Just be sure to choose a board certified plastic surgeon who has a lot of experience administering Botox. Every person’s wrinkles are different, so it’s important to choose someone who has a lot of experience providing patients with careful, finely-tuned results.

Botox works by relaxing the muscles underneath the skin. The effects last for about three months, so you’ll need to come back three or four times a year to maintain your results.

Other nonsurgical treatments in Chicago for crow’s feet include laser resurfacing and chemical peels. These can be good options if your crow’s feet are deeply set. Botox will go a long way toward reducing crow’s feet, but sometimes an extra step is needed to provide the results that patients are hoping for.

You may choose to combine crow’s feet treatments with an eye lift in order to obtain the most dramatic results. Our eyes tend to reveal our age more than any other part of our body, so treatments directed at the eye area usually have very beneficial results.

Learn more about the surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for crow’s feet and other cosmetic issues by scheduling a consultation with my office today. I’ll take the time to answer questions you may have about your crow’s feet treatment options and also address any concerns.