Temporal hollowing

What are crow’s feet?

Crow’s feet are the fine lines that develop at the outer corners of the eyes. They are usually most noticeable when smiling, laughing or squinting but may become visible even when the face is relaxed over time. These lines are a normal part of facial expression and ageing.

What causes crow’s feet?

Crow’s feet usually develop as a result of several factors working together, including:

• Repeated facial expression.
• Gradual changes in skin quality and elasticity with age.
• The skin around the eyes is some of the thinnest in your body and creases with recurring expression such as smiling and squinting.
• Sun exposure and environmental factors.
• Genetics
• Cheek bone structure
• Fat structure and amount
• Natural ageing of the supporting tissues around the eyes.

The underlying cause varies from person to person, making an individual assessment an important part of the consultation.

Assessment

During your consultation, we’ll assess your skin quality, facial anatomy and how the muscles around your eyes work during both expression and at rest. It’s important to establish how much elevation of your cheek occurs while smiling in dynamic movement, as a true smile always includes the eyes, and its muscles. We’ll also assess the surrounding areas of the upper and mid-face, as changes in these areas can influence the appearance of the eyes. This helps us understand the underlying cause of your concern and whether management is appropriate for you.

Why assessment is important

Not all lines around the eyes have the same cause. In some people, changes in skin quality are the main contributor, while in others, facial movements, fat quantity under the skin, genetic bone structure or age-related changes in the surrounding tissues also play a role. Without a comprehensive assessment, management may not address the underlying cause of the concern or achieve an outcome that meets your expectations. A careful assessment helps guide appropriate, individualised management.

Individualised management

During your consultation, we’ll discuss whether management is appropriate for your individual concerns. If so, we’ll explain the available options, together with the expected benefits, limitations and potential risks, so you can make an informed decision about your care.

Prepared by
Dr Simone Doreian
Specialist General Practitioner
AHPRA Registration: MED0001163462