Which Laser Provides the Quickest Results for Removing Crows Feet?

Crows feet are causes by repeated facial expressions. Whether it's smiling or squinting, over time these wrinkles can become more permanent.

For a more long term solution a CO2 fractional ablative laser skin resurfacing treatment is a viable option for treating unwanted wrinkles. A CO2 laser emits short bursts of high-intensity light in a grid shaped pattern. The light emissions remove the skin's damaged surface layers to boost collagen growth and tighten the treated skin.

Between one and three treatments are typically needed to treat wrinkles. The thinner and more shallow the wrinkles the fewer treatments requried for noticable enhancement. Collagen stimulating topical lotions may also be used following treatment to further stimulate collagen regeneration. 

To learn more about what an actual CO2 laser skin resurfacing treatment and recovery period is like, please view the below video.

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

You mention crows feet but then refer to the skin underneath the eyes. Botox injections work the best for crows feet which are the lines that extend from the outer corners of the eyes to the temples. That is because the crows feet are caused by muscular contraction of the squint muscles.  The lower eyelid skin could be improved by Botox injections but that would cause functional problems of the eyelid so thin fillers, usually not Perlane nor Juvederm Ultra Plus, can be done carefully using Juvederm ultra or Restylane but there are risks and high chances of bruising and lumpiness close to the eyelash margin.  Resurfacing lasers, even the most aggressive, can help with smoothening the skin but the creases will come back because the muscle will continue to contract. Carbon dioxide laser, non fractional which induces a second-degree like burn and the fractional ablative carbon dioxide laser help reduce wrinkles more than the Fraxel Restore laser or heat generating devices such as Thermage.

For the crow's feet - lines which extend laterally from your eye - Botox Cosmetic is a great treatment.  If you have moderate lines, then it may take a few treatments to achieve full effect, but you should be happy even with the first treatment.  For small wrinkles on the lower lids, Botox can help, but you may also consider a TCA chemical peel or Erbium Yag or fractionated CO2 laser in the office.  Otherwise, a pinch blepharoplasty may be helpful.  If you post pictures, we may be able to give you more specific advice.

Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing is the most potent way of treating this problem for those lines at rest.  This will improve the tone and texture as well as the thickenss of the skin in the area.  Botox may be necessary for those additional lines of motion that occur when smiling.  The combination of these two treatment would yield the best result but remember that fractional CO2 laser does have some downtime associated with it - typically 5-7 days depending on the settings.  If downtime is not something you can arrange then you might consider IPL (intense pulsed light) which does not disrupt the skin and therefore there is no downtime associated with it.  IPL typically requires several session - how many would have be determined at the time of consultation.