by Mona Gallagher

Created on: November 15, 2009

Though we've searched for thousands of years, the fountain of youth is nowhere to be found. This is especially true for those men and women who live in the sun-belt states and keep adding more numbers to their age. Adding numbers to our age is a good thing, but isn't it true that our skin is one of the first changes we notice as we age? If eyes are the windows to the soul we want to find effective ways to prevent crow's-feet and keep them attractive.

Prevention is better than addressing crow's-feet after they have appeared. Preventing crow's-feet is common sense. We may not be able to prevent them 100 percent but there are many ways to avoid the deep lines that many expect with aging. People who make a living with their looks, like celebrities, start the prevention process long before the crow's-feet begin to form around their eyes.

Most people don't worry about crow's-feet until after they are highly visible. It's understandable that people who are busy living in the moment rarely look ahead to future skin problems. However, some of us abuse our skin by basking in the sun without sun lotion and by neglecting to wear sunglasses. We frown too much, don't drink enough liquids, and generally aid the wrinkling process.

*Combating dehydration

One preventative measure to prevent crow's-feet would be to get into the habit of drinking water in prescribed amounts and carry this habit forward as we age. Moisturize your skin and particularly your face. Commercial products are available at reasonable cost in most retail stores or you can create your own by searching the Internet for home made recipes.

As noted, the body loses natural moisture with aging causing skin to wrinkle, but we don't have to help it along.

A preventative measure that will help both eye health and avoidance of crow's-feet is to wear sunscreen lotion and protective hat and sunglasses when working or playing in the sun. Sun dries the skin and robs it of precious moisture. Without sunglasses, the bright rays from the sun cause us to frown to shield our eyes, and frowning (for any reason) produces those dreaded crow's-feet.

*Natural aging

Aging is the onset of wrinkles along with new aches and pains for many. Natural moisture is lost in the aging process and skin loses resilience, and in addition to facial wrinkles our skin begins to sag and gravity works against our best efforts. The truth is, our youthful appearance has a lot to do with our heredity and to some degree our health. Healthy people with good eating habits, and a good disposition, generally display slower signs of aging.

Crow's-feet can be diminished with procedures like skin resurfacing and cosmetic injections that fill the wrinkles. The procedures or products needed depend on the level of attention the skin requires. If sagging skin is part of the cause of crow's-feet, there are products and simple facial exercises that can help firm up the skin. It's wise to ask your physician's advice about methods or procedures when in doubt.

Most of us will agree that prevention is better. Think of it this way: it's better to give the body nutrients that are required for healthy skin, than it is to receive crow's-feet around the eyes. While there is no fountain of youth to keep us looking great at all ages, there are plenty of preventative measures that help us prevent crow's-feet.

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