The frown line is a wrinkle located between the eyebrows that initially appears when frowning and later becomes permanent. This wrinkle can give the face a stern, tired, or worried look, which explains why its correction is one of the most common requests in aesthetic-oriented medicine.
The frown line, also known as the glabellar line, is a common aesthetic concern. Techniques such as Botox and hyaluronic acid injections are commonly used to treat this wrinkle.
These methods smooth the frown line and give the face a more relaxed and rejuvenated appearance.
When we frown, several muscles are involved — notably the frontalis, orbicularis oculi, corrugator, and procerus. Their activation varies from person to person depending on facial structure and habitual expressions. This muscular dynamic determines the appearance of five types of frown lines, each with its own specific shape and depth.
This classification is not merely descriptive : it guides the therapeutic strategy. Indeed, the injection technique must be adapted to the type of muscle contraction in order to achieve a natural and harmonious result while preserving the expressiveness of the eyes. A precise analysis of the patient’s movements during the consultation thus makes it possible to personalize the treatment and optimize its effectiveness.
Frown line type
omega
Frown line type
inverted omega
Frown line
type V
Frown line
type U
Frown line type
converging arrows
The main causes of the frown line include :
For therapeutic purposes, the frown line is classified into four severity stages .
Stage 1 : mild lines
At this early stage, frown lines appear as fine lines only when the corrugator muscles contract during frowning. The skin still has good elasticity, and the lines disappear at rest.
Stage 2 : moderate wrinkles
At this stage, wrinkles are visible even at rest. They begin to set in permanently due to the decrease in collagen and elastin production. The skin starts to lose its firmness and the wrinkles become more pronounced.
Stage 3 : deep lines
Frown lines become deep and permanently visible, even when the face is relaxed. The loss of skin elasticity and volume is significant, and the wrinkles are more pronounced.
Stage 4 : very deep lines
In the advanced stage, frown lines are very deep and well defined, often accompanied by skin folds. The skin has lost most of its elasticity and volume. The wrinkles give the face a stern and constantly concerned expression.
At early stages, botulinum toxin injection makes the wrinkle disappear.
At more advanced stages, if the patient wishes for complete wrinkle removal, hyaluronic acid injections should be performed one month after the botulinum toxin injection.
The muscle responsible for the frown line is a powerful one ; its treatment with botulinum toxin at the deep or very deep stage is possible, but the result will last 3–4 months. Hence the importance of treating this type of wrinkle as soon as it appears.
Among the natural methods to reduce this wrinkle, facial gymnastics stands out for its non-invasive approach and its benefits for skin health. Specific facial exercises can help reduce the frown line and refresh the face.
Facial gymnastics is a complement to injections, but this technique cannot prevent or treat the frown line if it is not combined with injections.
Facial gymnastics consists of a series of exercises aimed at strengthening and toning the facial muscles. These exercises can help smooth wrinkles and improve the firmness of the skin. For the frown line, several targeted movements can be incorporated into your daily routine.
The most common exercise involves placing three fingers on the inner part of the eyebrow and stretching it outward while frowning.
There are many options to prevent and treat the frown line in order to keep the skin smooth and youthful.
The most commonly used and most effective treatment is the injection of botulinum toxin.
It is also possible, in certain cases, to combine it with hyaluronic acid injections.
The injection of botulinum toxin blocks the contraction of the corrugator muscles. The patient will no longer be able to frown, but this inability does not result in a frozen expression. It is the inability to raise the eyebrows that makes the face look frozen.
For some people (particularly in certain artistic professions), it is important to retain the ability to frown ; in this case, a partial blockage is possible.
An analysis at rest and during frowning precedes the treatment.
It is often combined with the injection of crow’s feet wrinkles to achieve a fully open look and avoid altering the eyebrow shape.
A failed injection in this area may cause :
In some cases, botulinum toxin alone is not enough to correct the frown line. Filling with hyaluronic acid then becomes a relevant option, particularly when the patient cannot receive botulinum toxin (contraindications, refusal, etc.) or when the wrinkle has already created a true skin break. In the latter case, the hyaluronic acid injection is usually performed about one month after the botulinum toxin treatment to achieve an optimal result.
This procedure must be performed with a cannula and by an experienced doctor, as the area is delicate and carries a risk of necrosis or product visibility in the form of small irregularities. The choice of hyaluronic acid depends on the depth of the wrinkle : a volumizing product will be preferred for a deep wrinkle, while a Skinbooster-type acid will be indicated for a very superficial break.
The treatment of the frown line helps soften the expression and erase the stern or worried look it can give. The eyes appear immediately more relaxed and rejuvenated.
The effects of botulinum toxin begin to appear from the second day after the injection and become fully visible after about one week. Their duration is on average five to six months. A follow-up consultation, possibly accompanied by a touch-up, is scheduled between one and three weeks after the session. The after-effects are generally mild, with occasional slight transient swelling lasting a few minutes and mild headaches that may persist for up to five days.
The result of the hyaluronic acid injection is immediate and lasts for one year.
The after-effects are minimal, allowing the patient to resume daily activities immediately after the injection.
The treatment plan is established in a personalized manner. During the initial consultation, Doctor Romano determines with the patient the solution best suited to their needs, for a natural and harmonious result.
Whether to prevent the appearance of the frown line or to reduce an already established one, the goal is to restore a relaxed and open expression to the eyes without freezing the face.
All procedures are performed in a medical environment with certified products.
The prices of botulinum toxin injections for the treatment of the frown line in Geneva vary according to the number of treated areas (the frown line corresponding to one area) and the patient’s sex (due to the difference in muscle strength between men and women).
For women
For men
If the wrinkle is too pronounced to disappear completely with botulinum toxin, an additional injection of hyaluronic acid may be suggested to achieve an optimal result. The price of this injection is 600 CHF.
Botulinum toxin frown line : reviews
Botulinum toxin frown line before-after
Are botulinum toxin injections effective for treating the frown line ?
What are the causes of the frown line ?
Are anti-wrinkle creams effective in reducing the frown line ?
Can hyaluronic acid injections fill the frown line ?
Botulinum toxin frown line price
What treatments are available to reduce the frown line ?
Is it possible to combine botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid injections to treat the frown line ?
How long do the effects of botulinum toxin injections on the frown line last ?
Prevention is the key to reducing the appearance of frown lines. Effective advice.
Certain essential and plant oils can help reduce the appearance of frown lines thanks to their moisturising and regenerative properties.
To treat frown lines, we recommend creams containing the following ingredients :
Gua Sha is a massage technique that uses a specific tool to gently scrape the skin, traditionally used in Chinese traditional medicine. Its goal is to improve blood circulation and promote lymphatic drainage.
Regarding the frown line, the regular use of Gua Sha could potentially have beneficial effects.
Results vary from person to person, and Gua Sha does not provide the same results as medical treatments.
The frown line can begin to appear in the late twenties or early thirties, but it generally becomes more pronounced with age, particularly after the age of forty. Genetic factors, sun exposure and smoking influence the age at which this wrinkle appears.
The results of botulinum toxin injections on the frown line appear three to five days after the injection, with a maximal effect visible after about one week. The effects generally last between three and six months, and maintenance sessions are necessary to preserve the results.
Botulinum toxin injections are generally well tolerated and only slightly uncomfortable. The sensation is often compared to a mild insect bite. A topical anesthetic can be applied before the procedure.
Anti-wrinkle creams help improve the appearance of the skin by increasing hydration and stimulating the production of collagen and elastin. However, they cannot relax the muscles responsible for the frown line. For significant results, creams must be combined with botulinum toxin or hyaluronic acid injections.
Facial gymnastics help strengthen facial muscles, improve blood circulation and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. For optimum results, it is advisable to combine these exercises with a good moisturising and skincare routine.
Frown lines are found between the eyebrows on the forehead. These wrinkles are often vertical.
