Crow’s Feet: Causes, Prevention, and Best Treatments in Malaysia

Crow’s feet are the fine lines and wrinkles that form around the outer corners of the eyes, resembling a bird’s claw. They are often among the first signs of ageing, appearing when we smile, squint, or laugh. Over time, these expression lines can become permanent as the skin loses elasticity and firmness.

Just like frown or glabellar lines, crow’s feet are a natural part of ageing. However, lifestyle factors such as sun exposure, genetics, and facial expressions can accelerate their development. The good news is that modern aesthetic treatments can effectively smooth and rejuvenate the delicate skin around your eyes.

In this article, we’ll explain what causes crow’s feet, how to prevent them, and the best treatments available in Malaysia to restore smoother, younger-looking skin.

What Are Crow’s Feet?

Crow’s feet are fine lines that extend from the outer corners of the eyes, often deepening with age. The skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate than other facial areas, which makes it more prone to wrinkles and dehydration. There are two main types:

• Dynamic crow’s feet: Lines that appear only when you smile, squint, or laugh.
  
• Static crow’s feet: Wrinkles that remain visible even when your face is relaxed.

These lines are formed by repetitive contractions of the orbicularis oculi muscle, which surrounds the eyes. Over time, decreased collagen and elastin cause the skin to lose its ability to bounce back, leading to visible creases similar to conditions such as nasolabial folds or sagging jowls around the lower face.

Common Causes of Crow’s Feet

Understanding the causes of crow’s feet can help you prevent them and maintain smoother, firmer skin. By identifying what triggers these fine lines, whether it’s repeated facial movements, sun exposure, or certain lifestyle habits, you can take proactive steps to protect your skin’s elasticity and slow down visible ageing around the eyes.

Facial Expressions

Repeated facial movements such as smiling, laughing, and squinting cause the muscles around the eyes to contract. As collagen breaks down over time, these expression lines deepen and become permanent, just like forehead lines or frown lines.

Ageing

With age, your skin produces less collagen and elastin, making it thinner and more fragile. This loss of structural support contributes not only to crow’s feet but also to saggy cheeks and other wrinkles across the face.

Sun Damage

UV radiation accelerates skin ageing by breaking down collagen and elastin fibers. Without daily sun protection, the delicate eye area becomes vulnerable to fine lines, pigmentation, and uneven tone.

Genetics

Your genes play a role in how your skin ages. If you have a family history of premature wrinkles or marionette lines, you may notice crow’s feet developing earlier. Genetics also affect your skin’s elasticity and collagen levels, influencing how quickly fine lines form.

Environmental and Lifestyle Factors

Smoking, dehydration, and lack of sleep can all accelerate wrinkle formation. Prolonged screen time and constantly squinting at bright light can also worsen lines around the eyes and contribute to sagging jowls over time.

Preventing Crow’s Feet

While crow’s feet are a natural part of ageing, early prevention can make a big difference in how noticeable they become. Taking consistent care of your skin and making small lifestyle changes can help preserve firmness and slow down wrinkle formation around the eyes.

• Sun protection: Apply SPF 30 or higher daily and wear sunglasses to prevent squinting and UV damage.
  
• Moisturise regularly: Use an eye cream rich in hyaluronic acid or peptides to keep the delicate area hydrated and supple.
  
• Stay consistent with skincare: Products containing Vitamin C or retinoids help boost collagen and reduce the appearance of fine lines over time.
  
• Adopt healthy habits: Drink enough water, get adequate rest, and avoid smoking to maintain overall skin health and elasticity.
  
• Relax facial muscles: Be mindful of frowning and squinting, which can deepen crow’s feet and other wrinkles as well.

By protecting your skin early and maintaining good daily habits, you can keep the eye area smooth and youthful for longer while reducing the need for corrective treatments later on.

Best Treatments for Crow’s Feet in Malaysia

When prevention and skincare alone aren’t enough, professional treatments provide more visible and lasting results. While prevention helps stop crow’s feet from worsening, deeper lines require expert intervention. Combining muscle relaxation, collagen stimulation, and skin rejuvenation delivers the best outcomes for smoother, firmer skin.

Botox and Dermal Fillers

Botox remains the gold standard for treating crow’s feet and expression-related wrinkles. It relaxes the small muscles around the eyes that cause wrinkles, creating smoother, refreshed skin with noticeable before-and-after results. Dermal fillers help restore lost volume, smooth deeper lines, and subtly lift the corners of the eyes.

Many patients compare Botox vs dermal fillers when deciding how to treat crow’s feet. Botox targets muscle movement to prevent new lines from forming, while fillers address volume loss for a more rejuvenated look. Depending on your needs, both treatments can be combined for a balanced, youthful, and long-lasting result around the eyes.

Microneedling and Sylfirm X

Microneedling and Sylfirm X are collagen-stimulating treatments that help rejuvenate the skin from within. Both use controlled micro-injuries to trigger the skin’s natural healing process, encouraging collagen and elastin production for a smoother, firmer appearance.

Microneedling is ideal for improving surface-level concerns such as early crow’s feet, fine lines, and mild textural irregularities. Whereas Sylfirm X is an advanced version of microneedling, combines radiofrequency (RF) energy with microneedling technology to treat both the surface and deeper layers of the skin. 

These treatments are popular among patients who prefer a natural, collagen-boosting approach without injectables. With minimal downtime and gradual improvement after each session, microneedling and Sylfirm X offer a gentle yet effective way to restore smoother, healthier, and more resilient skin.

Pico Laser

Pico Laser treatments are highly effective for reducing fine lines and wrinkles, including crow’s feet and forehead lines, by stimulating collagen and elastin production deep within the skin. This helps improve firmness, smooth out texture, and restore a more youthful appearance over time.

In addition to targeting wrinkles, Pico Laser also provides the added benefit of brightening pigmentation and evening out skin tone, leaving the complexion clearer and more radiant. The treatment is safe for darker skin tones, and requires minimal downtime, making it ideal for those who want visible anti-ageing results without invasive procedures.

Many patients compare Pico Laser vs Fractional CO2 Laser when deciding on wrinkle treatments, as both promote collagen remodeling. However, Pico Laser is often preferred for its faster recovery, precision, and suitability for sensitive or pigmentation-prone skin.

Fractional CO2 Laser

This Fractional CO2 Laser treatment works by creating precise microchannels in the skin that stimulate deep collagen remodeling and renewal. It effectively reduces wrinkles, while tightening sagging skin and refining uneven texture. Over time, it helps improve firmness, elasticity, and overall smoothness for a noticeably rejuvenated appearance.

Although recovery may take a few days due to mild redness or flaking, the results are long-lasting and dramatic. Patients often choose Fractional CO2 Laser for more advanced signs of ageing, as it delivers powerful skin resurfacing and lifting effects that continue to improve in the weeks following treatment.

Rejuran Healer

Also known as the salmon DNA injection, Rejuran rejuvenates thin, crepey skin around the eyes by improving hydration, elasticity, and overall skin health. It works by delivering polynucleotides (PN) derived from salmon DNA, which help repair damaged cells, stimulate collagen production, and enhance the skin’s natural healing process.

Rejuran is especially effective for those experiencing early wrinkles, dullness, or loss of firmness in delicate areas such as the eyes or under-eye region. With consistent sessions, it strengthens the skin barrier, restores smoothness, and gives the complexion a naturally youthful glow.

HIFU and Ultherapy

Both HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) and Ultherapy use advanced ultrasound energy to lift, tighten, and firm the skin from within. These treatments work by delivering focused energy deep into the skin’s foundational layers, stimulating natural collagen and elastin production without the need for surgery.

They are particularly effective for early crow’s feet, helping to redefine facial contours and restore a more lifted, youthful appearance. Results develop gradually over several weeks as new collagen forms, creating a smoother and firmer look that continues to improve over time.

Unlike injectables, HIFU and Ultherapy target deeper tissue layers to achieve structural lifting rather than surface smoothing. The results can last up to 12 to 18 months, making them a preferred option for patients seeking long-lasting, natural-looking rejuvenation with no downtime.

When to See a Dermatologist

If your crow’s feet are becoming more prominent, a dermatologist can recommend the right combination of treatments. A personalised plan may include Botox for expression lines, laser treatments for texture, and HIFU for lifting sagging skin. Professional guidance ensures treatments are done safely and effectively, especially for the delicate eye area.

The Secret to Youthful, Wrinkle-Free Eyes

Crow’s feet are a natural part of ageing, but they don’t have to define your expression. With today’s advanced aesthetic treatments, you can smooth fine lines, restore firmness, and rejuvenate the delicate skin around your eyes for a refreshed, youthful look. Expert guidance and the right combination of treatments can make a visible difference in both texture and lift.

For optimal and safe results, seek treatment from an experienced aesthetic specialist. Dr. Chong Clinic, one of Malaysia’s leading aesthetic and dermatology centres with multiple branches nationwide, offers personalised solutions for wrinkles, saggy cheeks, nasolabial folds, and other signs of ageing.

Book your consultation with Dr. Chong Clinic today and take the first step toward smoother, younger-looking skin.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What causes crow’s feet to appear early?

Frequent squinting, sun exposure, and smoking can speed up wrinkle formation around the eyes.

2. Can crow’s feet be removed permanently?

While no treatment stops ageing completely, options like Botox, Pico Laser, and Rejuran can dramatically reduce their visibility.

3. Do treatments help with other wrinkles too?

Yes. Many patients treat frown lines, marionette lines, forehead lines, and sagging jowls alongside crow’s feet for a balanced result.

4. How can I prevent crow’s feet naturally?

Use sunscreen daily, wear sunglasses, keep your skin moisturised, and adopt a healthy skincare routine.

*All images used in this article are AI-generated.