Microneedling for Crow's Feet: What to Expect

Those little lines cropping up at the outer corners of your eyes come from years of smiling, squinting, and spending time in the sun. They are one of the first and most noticeable signs of advancing age and one of the top reasons people throughout the greater Salt Lake City, Utah, area seek our help at Holladay Dermatology & Aesthetics.

Dr. Robert Topham, our experienced dermatologist, along with certified physician assistant Sarah Forsey, PA, and registered nurse Cherise Herrera, RN, provide comprehensive dermatological and aesthetic services to keep your skin healthy and stunning. If you have crow’s feet forming around your eyes, we offer several cutting-edge treatments that smooth your skin and fade those lines, including microneedling. 

Why do crow’s feet form?

Crow’s feet, like all other wrinkles in your skin, begin to develop when your skin loses two essential proteins — collagen and elastin. Collagen is a fibrous protein that provides structure and strength to your skin, and elastin gives it a stretchable quality. Your body slows down its production of these elements in your mid-20s at the rate of about 1% annually. Over time, your skin loses its ability to recover from a smile, so the lines stay put and look like a bird’s footprint radiating out from the corners.

Sun exposure also does a number on your skin, especially the delicate tissue around your eyes. The more time you spend soaking up the sun’s ultraviolet rays during your lifetime, the more damage your skin sustains. Wrinkles and dark spots are the most common consequence, but skin cancer is a real risk.

Another factor involved in the formation is your eyes' lack of oil glands. The skin around your eyes is thinner than other areas, and it doesn’t have the same resources for moisturization, so it’s more susceptible to damage from the sun, tugging, and gravity.

You can prevent premature aging and crow’s feet by limiting exposure to the sun, wearing a hat and sunglasses, eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and using a broad-spectrum sunscreen religiously. 

How can microneedling diminish crow’s feet?

One of the most effective ways to reduce or eliminate crow’s feet is to replace the lost collagen that created them in the first place. 

Dr. Topham often recommends microneedling to get the job done. Using the advanced technology behind the SkinPen® by Bellus Medical, we can safely and quickly reactivate your skin’s collagen production. 

The SkinPen device contains tiny needles that prick your skin, creating countless micro-injuries. Your body responds as it does with any wound — it sends a flood of collagen and elastin to the site to repair the damage. Microneedling taps into your body’s own healing process to shore up the skin around your eyes and lift it from within. New skin cells form under your crow’s feet, and the wrinkles disappear. 

Of course, we numb your skin before the treatment begins so you stay comfortable throughout the half-hour session. The results appear once the collagen, elastin, and new cells take effect in about 10-14 days. You may need multiple treatments to achieve the look you want; most people get 3-6.

What about microneedling with PRP?

We’re glad you asked. We can boost your microneedling experience with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a type of regenerative medicine that accelerates healing using elements in your blood. 

Dr. Topham draws a sample of blood from your arm, spins it in a centrifuge to separate it into distinct layers, then extracts the platelets in a concentrated serum. When he adds PRP to your microneedling treatment, the platelets release growth factors that heal the micro-wounds more quickly, reduce inflammation, and stimulate collagen and cell renewal. 

More crow’s feet treatments

Microneedling isn’t your only option for addressing crow’s feet. At Holladay Dermatology & Aesthetics, we also offer Botox® and dermal fillers, two more effective treatments for those stubborn eye wrinkles. And these treatments all work well together, so you can alternate them for the best results. 

To find out which treatment is best for your crow’s feet and other wrinkles, contact us at 801-272-4408 to schedule a consultation with our team.