All About Crow’s Feet

Have you ever wondered about the origin of the term crow’s feet as a description of the lines or wrinkles that appear at the outer corner of the eyes? Most sources agree that it is very old – originating between 1150 and 1500. Interestingly, it is associated primarily with wrinkles on a woman’s face.

Why crow’s feet? Why not parakeet feet or finch feet?

It turns out that the choice of the bird and its digits was intentional. The term “crow’s feet” was/is meant to be unflattering and disparaging. Crows have long been regarded with negativity. They’re thought of as pests and scavengers, omens of bad tidings, and even harbingers of death. Other familiar idioms using the word include “eating crow,” to publicly admit that you were wrong, and to “crow about” or to brag and boast. There are more. Most are negative.

These lines appear all through our lives when we squint, wink, smile, and laugh. Over time, the familiar folds become etched in the skin. Even though we may realize that we probably earned them by way of happiness, the term “crow’s feet” sprang from a meme that makes them particularly undesirable. It has appeared over the centuries in literature and poetry to describe a woman damaged, tarnished and spent. No wonder we find them unappealing and wish them gone.

Fortunately, there are some non-surgical, aesthetic solutions available to mitigate them. Laser skin resurfacing and dermabrasion can lessen the appearance of these avian feet on our faces. Another popular solution is Botox®. By inactivating the muscles that bunch up and deepen the wrinkles, you’ll notice fewer creases when you smile. However, this won’t improve the appearance of the lines when the face is at rest. For that, dermal fillers are often used. Dr. Hernandez may recommend combining strategies for the best results.

If you’d like to discuss your parakeet feet, contact the office to schedule a non-surgical consultation. It is provided at no charge and the outcome is often so wonderful you’ll want to crow about it. Oops. Let’s not go there.

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Vivian Hernandez, MD FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, specializing in Facelift, Plastic Surgery of the Face, Dermal Fillers and Botox®