Getting rid of the surface skin layer of your face will make it look fresher and younger, which is why laser skin resurfacing is such a popular method of facial rejuvenation. But does it also work to get rid of crow’s feet? Dr. Thomas Liszka has worked as a plastic surgeon for 15 years and now runs Ballantyne Plastic Surgery in Charlotte, North Carolina. Here he talks about the pros and cons of this method.
Laser skin resurfacing works by taking the top layer of skin away as well as part of the second layer of skin called the dermis. As the skin heals, collagen is deposited, which smoothes the skin out.
You can use laser skin resurfacing to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet, although the best thing to get rid of this common problem would have to be BOTOX. If you do opt for laser skin resurfacing, it will show an improvement, but not a permanent one; so the lines will come back. A lot of people who do it will continue to get BOTOX afterwards.
Muscle Action Responsible
The skin-smoothing effect you get with laser skin resurfacing is why this method improves fine lines and wrinkles to the area. But the reason that crow’s feet appear is due mainly to the action of the muscles themselves. That’s why if you have deeper crow’s feet you need to stop that action from happening to get rid of them, which is why you would require BOTOX.
Botox has been safely used in medical treatments for more than 20 years and received FDA approval in 2002 to be used cosmetically for certain areas of the face. This non-surgical procedure will smooth the deep, persistent lines between your brows, crow’s feet around your eyes, and wrinkles in your forehead that develop over time.
One short treatment relaxes the muscles that cause those lines to form and keeps them relaxed for an average of three months. Botox is fast, simple, and minimally invasive, with no downtime or recovery. The results are dramatic and apparent within a few days to a week.
It is more common to do laser skin resurfacing for the lower eyelids, for the fine lines and wrinkles there, than it is to do laser resurfacing for crow’s feet. Although this method does not lift the skin like a facelift would, it can provide significant improvement in the overall quality of your skin by making it look and feel smoother.
Advance Skin Preparation
In order for laser skin resurfacing to work to maximum advantage, you need time to get your skin ready. Prep times can start four to six weeks before the skin is resurfaced.
Also, it is important to keep in mind that after this procedure is carried out, there will be some down time. Treated skin usually takes up to a week to heal, and it can be even longer before you can apply makeup without worrying about the state of your skin.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
