Eye wrinkles are commonly referred to as 'crow's feet', lateral canthal lines, or lines around the sides of the eyes. Eye wrinkles occur as a result of repeated facial movement and natural changes in the skin over time. These lines form in the lateral canthal region, which is the area at the outer edge of the eye where the upper and lower eyelids meet. Because the skin around the eyes is thinner than many other areas of the face and moves frequently during expressions, lines in this area can gradually become more noticeable with age.
At MD Cosmetic Nurse, an eye wrinkle consultation begins with a thorough assessment of the obicularis oculi muscle movement, skin laxity, and the pattern of lines at the outer corner of the eyes. Michelle Dodd RN holds a Master of Nursing and has over 12 years experience in aesthetic medicine. Consultations are conducted within specialist plastic surgery clinics across Surry Hills and Mosman, as well as Penrith, Sydney.
If you have concerns about eye wrinkles, a consultation provides the opportunity to discuss your individual anatomy and explore what options may be suitable for you.
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The primary muscle involved in the formation of eye wrinkles is the obicularis oculi.
Obicularis oculi
The obicularis oculi is a circular muscle that surrounds the eye. It plays an important role in facial expressions such as smiling and squinting.
Because this muscle contracts frequently during everyday expressions, the skin at the outer corners of the eyes can gradually develop visible lines over time.
Wrinkles around the eyes develop due to a combination of repeated facial movement, natural changes in skin structure, and a broader part of the facial aging process.
Muscle contraction
Expressions such as smiling, squinting and laughing activate the muscles surrounding the eye. Over time, repeated movement in this area can contribute to the formation of visible lines in the skin.
Skin changes
The skin around the eyes is the thinnest on the entire body. As the skin ages, levels of collagen and elastin gradually decrease. When their levels decline, the already thin skin has less support and can cause fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes to deepen over time.
Other factors
Sun exposure, genetics, skin hydration, rubbing of the eyes, and sleeping positions may also influence how eye wrinkles develop.
Lines around the eyes often begin as dynamic lines, meaning they appear only during facial movement such as smiling or squinting.
Over time, these lines may become static lines, which remain visible even when the face is at rest. This change occurs gradually as the skin loses its collagen and elasticity, and the wrinkle becomes deeper over time due to repeated muscle contraction.
The area surrounding the eyes contain several anatomical structures that influence how eye wrinkles form over time. Changes within these structures during the ageing process can influence the appearance of lines around the eyes. These include:
• the outer skin
• the dermis
• subcutaneous tissue
• the obicularis oculi muscle
• underlying facial bones
Lines around the eyes are one of several changes that occur in the upper face. You can also learn more about forehead wrinkles and glabellar lines (lines between the eyebrows) .
During an eye wrinkle consultation, facial anatomy and skin characteristics are assessed individually.
This may include evaluating:
• muscle movement patterns
• position of the eyebrows
• under-eye appearance
• cheek volume
• skin quality and elasticity
• facial proportions
• overall facial ageing patterns
• natural-looking outcomes
A personalised wrinkle reduction consultation for eye wrinkles in Sydney allows an assessment of individual anatomy and ageing changes. A consultation provides the opportunity to discuss your individual concerns, and the factors contributing to visible facial changes, and to determine what options may be appropriate for you. Treatment options and results may vary from person-to-person.
Book a consultation
Choosing the right practitioner for your aesthetic consultation is an important decision. All assessments at MD Cosmetic Nurse are tailored to each individual, and are consultation-led. This means your individual concerns, anatomy, and goals are discussed in detail before any treatment is considered. Michelle is centred on professionalism, ethical, evidence-based practice, and patient safety.
• Experienced registered nurse with over 12 years experience performing aesthetic procedures.
• Master of Nursing with a year-long capstone project on complications with aesthetic procedures.
• A natural-looking, balanced approach for subtle outcomes.
• Aesthetic ultrasound use in select consultations to provide insight for your individual anatomy.
• Consultations are conducted in professional, medical clinical environments inside specialist plastic surgeon-owned clinics in Surry Hills and Mosman, as well as Penrith.
Book a consultation for a detailed facial assessment to determine suitability for your individual goals. Individual results vary from person-to-person and from treatment-to-treatment. A consultation is required and does not guarantee treatment.
Book a consultationEye wrinkles, often referred to as 'crow's feet', or wrinkles around the eyes, are small lines that form at the outer corner of the eyes. They form due to repeated facial movement and natural ageing changes in the skin.
Wrinkles around the eyes develop due to frequent facial expressions such as smiling and squinting, combined with gradual changes in the skin's collagen and elastin over time.
Eye wrinkles may begin appearing in the late twenties or thirties, although this varies depending on genetics, sun exposure, and skin quality.
The obicularis oculi muscle surrounds the eye and is responsible for facial expressions such as smiling. Repeated contraction of the muscle contributes to the development of wrinkles around the eyes.