How do I remove frown lines?
Written and reviewed by Dr Bernard Hayot, ophthalmologist, RPPS 10003926226.
What are frown lines?
Frown lines, also known as glabellar lines, are vertical lines located in the glabella, the space between the eyebrows. Depending on the individual, they take the form of either two well-defined furrows or several shallower ones.
Frown lines are often bothersome, as they give the face a severe look and the impression that the eyebrows are permanently furrowed. They are a source of self-consciousness for people of all ages.
What causes frown lines?
The frown line is an expression line that forms gradually as a result of repeated contraction of the subcutaneous muscles in this area. In the course of our expressions (speaking, smiling, frowning and so on), the muscles under the skin of the face move and contract. Hypercontraction of certain muscles can create furrows in the skin, which are at first visible only when the face makes these expressions. With repeated contraction, and as we age, these furrows deepen and the line becomes permanent.
It can also appear in some younger people. There are other causes, such as hereditary background, exposure to UV rays, an unsuitable skincare routine or poor lifestyle habits.
When frown lines are only slightly pronounced, moisturising the face can be enough to delay their deeper, more permanent appearance. Facial exercises can also help slow it. Botox injections, on the other hand, are the only way to erase frown lines or prevent them from appearing.
Botulinum toxin in aesthetic medicine to treat frown lines
Botulinum toxin is better known as botox. It is used in injections to smooth the skin and rejuvenate the face by significantly reducing subcutaneous muscle contraction.
To erase frown lines, botox injections block the involuntary movements of the muscles of the glabella, reducing the appearance of the furrows and preventing them from becoming established.
It can be performed at any age and on all skin types.
Botox is extremely well tolerated, and there is very little risk of allergy to the product. It also has few contraindications.
The effects appear from the second day, but continue to develop, for an optimal effect after 7 to 10 days. They are not permanent, and injections have to be repeated after several months, as botulinum toxin is a resorbable product. The results are natural, with visibly lifted skin, and without the need for a scalpel.
If frown lines are too severe, it is possible to complement anti-wrinkle botox injections with hyaluronic acid injections to optimize and prolong the effect.
This page is for information. It does not replace a consultation: every situation is judged on examination.