Are you dealing with crows feet? Read on to learn what causes face wrinkles.

Crows feet, the fine line face wrinkles, which radiate from the corners of the eyes are one of the telltale signs of aging. Decreases in essential skin proteins and muscle tension around the eyes leads to these type of face wrinkles.

Collagen is the central building block protein of the skin and is produced within the deep layers of the skin. In our youth collagen is what provides our skin with firmness and tautness. Elastin is another component abundantly found in youthful skin: it provides skin's elasticity. As we age our skin's production of these two important proteins decreases, resulting in wrinkles.

Constant activity of the muscles around the eyes through smiling, laughing, and squinting contribute to the formation of crows feet. Years of constant flexion also contribute to the underlying tension of the muscles around the eyes.

Treatments are available to treat crows feet and other face wrinkles.

Over-the-counter creams are good for treating newly formed face wrinkles, but will probably not be very effective on wrinkles which have already been etched into the skin. Treatment creams should have one of the following ingredients: alpha hydroxy acids, Vitamin C, or retin-A. These ingredients have been shown to increase cell growth and remove dead skin cells. This can help reduce the appearance of crows feet, fine lines, and face wrinkles.

Two other alternate methods of treating crows feet can be done by visiting your physician: laser resurfacing and Botox. Laser resurfacing utilizes a beam of laser light to remove the existing top layer of skin and stimulates new skin cell growth. Down time for this procedure can vary by days.

Botox injections can be used to decrease the underlying muscle tension around your eyes and brow, reducing crows feet and other face wrinkles. It's extremely popular because of its availability and virtually no down time. Botox is derived from botulism toxin and is used in small amounts to cause muscles to relax. A downside to using Botox to treat wrinkles is that the effects are only temporary and you'll need follow-up treatments to maintain it.

Learn more about picking the right wrinkle cream. Also read our tips on how to look younger and deal with age spots.