Crow's Feet: What They Are, Why They Form, Treatment Options and Prevention — What You Need to Know
Updated: 2 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: September 2026
Quick Answer
Crow's feet — medically called lateral canthal lines and sometimes laugh lines — are fine lines and small wrinkles that form at the outer corners of your eyes. They develop when tiny muscles contract as you laugh, smile, squint, and express stress, grief, or sadness, and they deepen as collagen and elastin naturally decline with age. They typically first appear in your 30s and are harmless. Most people can slow them with daily SPF 30+ sunscreen, sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, a healthy antioxidant-rich diet, and stress management. OTC options include exfoliation, peptide creams, and retinol, while a dermatologist can offer stronger retinol, chemical peels, or botulinum toxin (Botox) injections for deeper lines.
TL;DR
Crow's feet are the fine lines that radiate from the outer corners of the eyes. They form from repeated facial expressions (smiling, squinting, and emotions like stress, grief, and sadness) acting on skin that loses collagen and elastin with age, along with contributing factors such as sun exposure, sunscreen habits, diet, and genetics. Researchers have found that crow's feet tend to appear earlier and form deeper wrinkles in men than in women, partly due to sun-protection habits and higher levels of MMP enzymes that break down collagen. Treatment ranges from lifestyle prevention and over-the-counter products (exfoliation, peptides, retinol) to dermatologist-administered options (chemical peels, stronger retinol, botulinum toxin injections). The lines themselves are physically harmless — they cause no pain and have no effect on your body.
Limitation statement: The referenced medical source contains no prevalence, age-breakdown, or treatment-efficacy statistics, so no figures are quoted in this article.
What are crow's feet?
Crow's feet, also known as lateral canthal lines, are fine lines that form on the outer corners of your eyes. They are also sometimes called laugh lines.
These small lines and wrinkles form from tiny muscles contracting in the outer corner of your eyes as you experience the many different emotions that influence your facial expressions: laughter, stress, grief, and sadness.
Crow's feet usually start out as noticeable lines that form when you smile and your eyes naturally squint. Over time, these fine lines may start to appear on your face when you're not smiling or even when you're at rest.
Many other factors play a role in how your skin ages and the development of crow's feet. Sun exposure, whether you use sunscreen, your diet, and your genetics are all contributing factors.
Two proteins that help skin retain its plump, youthful appearance — collagen and elastin — naturally decrease as you age. As these proteins wane, you develop fine lines such as frown lines and crow's feet. Using sunscreen and some facial moisturizers can help prevent crow's feet from developing. But aging is an inevitable part of life.
Quick fact | What the source says |
Medical name | Lateral canthal lines (also called laugh lines) |
Location | Outer corners of the eyes |
How they form | Tiny muscles contract during smiling, squinting, and expressions of laughter, stress, grief, and sadness |
First appearance | Often in your 30s; may not appear until your 40s depending on skin care and genetics |
Physical harm | None — they don't hurt and don't affect your body physically |
Can they be reduced | Yes — lifestyle habits, OTC products, and dermatologist treatments can reduce their appearance |
Are crow's feet a medical condition?
No. The appearance of crow's feet might not make your day when you look in the mirror, but they don't have any ill effects on your body. They aren't painful and shouldn't affect you physically.
However, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles can make some people feel insecure about their appearance. Self-esteem is a legitimate reason to seek treatment.
Why do men tend to get deeper crow's feet than women?
Aging affects everyone differently. Researchers have found that crow's feet tend to appear earlier and form deeper wrinkles in men than in women.
Researchers attribute this to several factors, and some are behavioral in nature. Men are theorized to be less likely to wear sunglasses or use sunscreen than women.
Researchers also discovered that men have higher amounts of matrix metalloproteinases, known as MMPs. MMPs are naturally occurring enzymes that break down collagen in your skin. If you have more MMPs, your skin will naturally break down quicker.
When do crow's feet start to appear?
You may first notice crow's feet when you're in your 30s. Depending on your skin care routine and genetics, you may not see them until you're in your 40s.
Prevention is key to slowing the development of crow's feet and other fine lines.
What causes crow's feet?
Collagen and other naturally occurring enzymes in your skin help keep it looking supple and youthful. As you age, however, collagen naturally breaks down from skin.
Your lifestyle choices also contribute to how young you'll develop crow's feet and how deep your wrinkles will be.
Contributing factor | How it affects crow's feet |
Sun exposure and sunscreen habits | UV rays damage skin; SPF 30 or higher protects from harmful UV rays |
Eye shielding habits | Sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats shield eyes from UV and prevent squinting, which contributes to crow's feet |
Stress and emotional expression | Anger, anxiety, and sadness cause facial expressions that contribute to crow's feet, not just smiles |
Diet | Foods high in antioxidants can help fight free radicals that contribute to lines and wrinkles |
Genetics | Your genes influence when lines appear and how deep they form |
Natural aging | Collagen and elastin decline with age regardless of habits |
How can you prevent crow's feet?
There are several lifestyle choices you can make to help combat fine lines and wrinkles. But there are also topical creams and tools available over the counter (OTC) that you can apply to your skin to help prevent crow's feet.
The core prevention habits from the source: wear SPF 30 or higher to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, wear sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat to shield your eyes from the sun's UV rays and prevent squinting, work on managing stress since many emotions — anger, anxiety, and sadness — cause the facial expressions that contribute to crow's feet, and eat a healthy diet rich in antioxidants to help fight free radicals.
These sun-protection recommendations apply to every skin tone — UV damage and photoaging affect all skin types.
What over-the-counter products help with crow's feet?
Some over-the-counter options to prevent and treat crow's feet are:
Exfoliation. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the epidermis, or top layer of your skin, leaving only fresh, healthy skin. This can reduce the appearance of fine lines that lead to crow's feet.
Peptide creams. Peptides are amino acids that occur naturally in your skin. They also come in creams and gels that can help fight lines. When applied to your skin, your body interprets the amino acids in peptides as damaged collagen, so it produces collagen to repair the damage. This repair plumps fine lines and wrinkles.
Retinol. Retinol is a well-known topical treatment for combating the effects of aging. Made from vitamin A, retinol stimulates the production of collagen and elastin — two key ingredients in your skin that give it a youthful, plump look. It's available over the counter, but consult your dermatologist if you think you need a higher dose. Retinol treatment does have side effects.
What treatments does a dermatologist offer?
As you age, your crow's feet might become deeper and more defined. In this case, you may decide to consult with a dermatologist — a medical doctor who specializes in skin conditions — to reduce the appearance of crow's feet.
Some options for treating crow's feet that require the help of your dermatologist are:
Provider treatment | How it works |
Chemical peels (glycolic acid or alpha hydroxy) | Some alpha hydroxy options are available over the counter, but your dermatologist can apply peels with a higher percentage of glycolic acid than you can buy over the counter |
Botulinum toxin injections (Botox) | Your provider injects a small amount of botulinum toxin; the injection works by blocking muscle contractions (like those that happen when you squint), which can help prevent fine lines and wrinkles from forming |
Topical retinol (prescription-strength) | If over-the-counter retinol treatments aren't effective, your provider may prescribe a product with higher levels of retinol |
What are the side effects of crow's feet treatments?
As with all medications, both over-the-counter treatments and those provided by your healthcare provider come with some risks. You're more likely to experience side effects from treatments if you have sensitive skin.
Retinol side effects. You're more likely to experience irritation from retinol when you use it for the first time or in high concentrations. Side effects include itching, peeling, redness, puffiness, or scaly patches on your skin. You should also avoid direct sunlight after applying retinol.
Botulinum toxin injection side effects. Side effects from botulinum toxin injections include pain, redness or swelling at the site of injection, headache, neck stiffness, and drooping eyelids (ptosis).
Treatment | Possible side effects |
Retinol (OTC or prescribed) | Itching, peeling, redness, puffiness, scaly patches — especially with first use or high concentrations; avoid direct sunlight after applying |
Botulinum toxin injections | Pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, headache, neck stiffness, drooping eyelids (ptosis) |
Higher risk group | People with sensitive skin are more likely to experience side effects from any of these treatments |
When should I see my healthcare provider about crow's feet?
If you find that you're very troubled by your crow's feet and they're affecting your self-esteem, contact your healthcare provider. They can work to find a solution to help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and thereby help boost your self-confidence.
It may also help to remember that crow's feet are a natural part of aging and most everyone will get them eventually.
Questions to ask your dermatologist
As you consider how you'd like to manage your aging skin, you may want to consult with a dermatologist. Here are some questions you might ask:
What are the side effects of Botox injections?
Are there other options to treat my crow's feet?
Am I a good candidate for Botox injections?
Do Botox injections hurt?
What to expect: a positive way to think about the lines
A note from the referenced medical source: "While you may not like the sight of fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes, aging is a natural part of life and eventually, nearly everyone develops a wrinkle or two. Take solace in knowing your crow's feet are an indication of the many smiles you've experienced in your life. If your crow's feet affect your self-esteem, see your healthcare provider about Botox or other procedures that can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles."
The lines around your eyes tell a story — smiles, laughter, and a lifetime of expression. They are physically harmless, and nearly everyone develops them eventually. If they bother you, there is a clear ladder of options: daily sun protection, OTC products, and dermatologist-administered treatments for lines that have become deeper and more defined.
Conclusion
Crow's feet are one of the most universal signs of aging — fine lines at the outer corners of the eyes that start as smile lines and, over time, may appear even at rest. They form from the natural contraction of tiny facial muscles combined with the steady decline of collagen and elastin, shaped by sun habits, diet, genetics, and stress. They cause no physical harm.
The most effective lever is prevention: SPF 30 or higher every day, sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat, stress management, and an antioxidant-rich diet. If the lines bother you, OTC options like exfoliation, peptide creams, and retinol offer a gentle first step, and a dermatologist can go further with chemical peels, prescription retinol, or botulinum toxin injections.
Call to action: Start with daily sun protection today — it is the single habit the source ties most directly to slowing crow's feet. If the lines affect your self-esteem, book a conversation with a dermatologist and take the questions listed above into the appointment. You'll leave with a plan matched to your skin, not guesswork.
FAQ
What are crow's feet?
Crow's feet (lateral canthal lines, also called laugh lines) are fine lines and small wrinkles that form at the outer corners of the eyes.
Why are they called crow's feet?
The name comes from the lines' resemblance to a crow's footprint radiating from the eye's outer corner. The medical term is lateral canthal lines; they are also called laugh lines.
What causes crow's feet?
Tiny muscles contracting in the outer corner of the eyes during facial expressions — laughter, stress, grief, sadness, smiling, squinting — combined with the natural decline of collagen and elastin as you age. Sun exposure, sunscreen habits, diet, and genetics also contribute.
Are crow's feet wrinkles permanent?
They deepen with age, but their appearance can be reduced with lifestyle habits, over-the-counter products, and dermatologist treatments.
When do crow's feet first appear?
You may first notice them in your 30s. Depending on your skin care routine and genetics, you may not see them until your 40s.
Do crow's feet hurt?
No. They don't have any ill effects on your body, aren't painful, and shouldn't affect you physically.
Are crow's feet more common in men?
Researchers have found that crow's feet tend to appear earlier and form deeper wrinkles in men than in women. Men are theorized to be less likely to wear sunglasses or use sunscreen, and men have higher amounts of MMP enzymes that break down collagen.
What are MMPs?
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are naturally occurring enzymes that break down collagen in your skin. More MMPs means skin breaks down quicker.
Does sunscreen really prevent crow's feet?
Sun exposure is a contributing factor, and the source recommends SPF 30 or higher to protect skin from harmful UV rays — a universal recommendation that applies to all skin tones.
Why do sunglasses help?
Sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats shield your eyes from UV rays and help prevent squinting, which contributes to crow's feet.
Can stress cause crow's feet?
Yes. It's not just smiles — anger, anxiety, and sadness cause facial expressions that contribute to crow's feet. Managing stress and emotional well-being can help prevent them.
Does diet affect crow's feet?
Yes. Foods high in antioxidants can help fight free radicals that contribute to lines and wrinkles.
What is the role of collagen and elastin?
Both proteins help skin retain its plump, youthful appearance. They naturally decrease as you age, and their decline leads to fine lines such as frown lines and crow's feet.
What is retinol and how does it work?
Retinol is made from vitamin A. It stimulates the production of collagen and elastin — the key ingredients that give skin a youthful, plump look. It's available over the counter, with higher prescription doses from a dermatologist.
What are the side effects of retinol?
Itching, peeling, redness, puffiness, or scaly patches — especially with first use or high concentrations. You should also avoid direct sunlight after applying retinol. People with sensitive skin are more likely to experience irritation.
What are peptide creams?
Peptides are amino acids that occur naturally in your skin, also available in creams and gels. Your body interprets the amino acids in peptides as damaged collagen and produces collagen to repair the damage, which plumps fine lines and wrinkles.
How does exfoliation help crow's feet?
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the epidermis (the top layer of skin), leaving fresh, healthy skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines that lead to crow's feet.
What is a chemical peel for crow's feet?
Peels using glycolic acid or alpha hydroxy acids. Some alpha hydroxy options are available over the counter, but a dermatologist can apply peels with a higher percentage of glycolic acid than you can buy over the counter.
What is Botox and how does it treat crow's feet?
Botulinum toxin injections (known by several brand names) work by blocking muscle contractions — like those that happen when you squint — which can help prevent fine lines and wrinkles from forming.
Does Botox hurt?
That is one of the recommended questions to ask your dermatologist. The source lists potential side effects — pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, headache, neck stiffness, and drooping eyelids (ptosis) — but doesn't describe the procedure's pain level.
Am I a good candidate for Botox?
Another question to bring to your dermatologist. Candidacy depends on the depth of your lines, your skin, and your goals — a dermatologist can assess this.
What happens if I stop treating my crow's feet?
Aging is an inevitable part of life. Without treatment, lines that began as expression lines may become deeper, more defined, and visible at rest.
Can crow's feet affect my self-esteem?
Yes — their appearance can make some people feel insecure. Self-esteem is a legitimate reason to contact your healthcare provider for solutions.
Do facial moisturizers help?
The source states that using sunscreen and some facial moisturizers can help prevent crow's feet from developing.
When should I see a dermatologist?
If crow's feet trouble you and affect your self-esteem, contact your healthcare provider. They can help minimize the appearance of fine lines and boost your self-confidence — and offer treatments beyond what's available over the counter.
External References
Source article (medically reviewed): https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24586-crows-feet
Additional authoritative references to cite: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection (American Academy of Dermatology sun-protection guidance), https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5435909/ (photoaging and UV research), and https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-guidance-regulation/cosmetics-labeling-guide (cosmetic ingredient information for retinol and peptides).
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and is based on the referenced medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider — such as a dermatologist — with any questions about your skin. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice because of something you have read here. Treatment decisions, including cosmetic procedures, should always be made in consultation with a licensed healthcare provider who knows your medical history.
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