Frown Lines. Don’t get angry, get even!

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Do you have vertical or horizontal lines between your eyebrows? Tired of people saying that you look grumpy, cross, tired or stressed?

Muscle relaxing injections can make an enormous difference and give you a fresh relaxed expression.

Case 1 and 2

These show a typical frown pattern with vertical lines but also quite prominent horizontal lines on the nasal bridge. There are two main muscle groups involved in frowning, the Corrugators (which sit above the eyebrow and cause the vertical lines) and Procerus (which runs up the nasal bridge and causes the horizontal lines).

Case 3

With this frown pattern there are only vertical lines present.

Why does the frown line remain in some people?

Case 4 and 5

In the “after” photo you can see a softened line near his right eyebrow. A person with deep lines may still have lines at rest after successful treatment, however the muscle can no longer move, pulling the eyebrows together and increasing the crease or creases between the eyebrows with frowning. With regular injections these lines will fade and often disappear as the supporting tissues in the skin repair themselves.

Why do we get these lines?

Frown lines are usually only noticeable during facial expressions. However, over time, repeated movement of the “glabella muscle complex” (the muscles that pull the eyebrows together and down that create the “frown”) may cause these lines to become visible at rest when not frowning or squinting.

Repeated contraction of the muscles over time may cause disruption to the layers of the overlying skin, resulting in lines that are visible at rest and can often be felt. Remember, it takes years to create them and may take time to heal the damage and eliminate them.

What treatment is most effective?

Muscle relaxers are a safe and efficient treatment.

The amount of muscle relaxer required varies from person to person and can vary over time also depending on your metabolism. We like to assess the response to treatment after two weeks and add additional units if required. Once we know what dose you require there is no need to come in for a follow up appointment. In assessing the response to treatment we look for movement. Someone with deep lines may still have lines at rest after successful treatment, however the muscle, that pulls the eyebrows together creating a crease or creases between the eyebrows will not contract.

People who have very deep lines may take regular 3 – 4 monthly injections for a year to soften these lines. This is due to the changes that have occurred due to years of creasing the skin and damaging the support tissues. Unfortunately these take time to repair. The repair process is interrupted and jeopardized by allowing movement to return between treatments. This is the one area that it is important to have regular treatments if you have a persistent line that you wish to remove.

Occasionally we recommend that a deep line is filled, especially if a quick result is required.

Treatment costs vary, depending on the strength of the muscles and the desired result.