FROWN LINES: BOTOX TO FILL FROWN LINES

What is a frown line?

The frown line is a wrinkle between the eyebrows that initially appears when the eyebrows are furrowed and then becomes permanent. Because these wrinkles give a stern, sad appearance, they are often corrected by aesthetic medicine.

Contents

Highlights

How to erase frown lines in Geneva: botulinum toxin 

The frown line, also known as the glabellar wrinkle, is a common aesthetic concern. Techniques such as Botox and hyaluronic acid injections are commonly used to treat this wrinkle.

These tmethods erase frown lines and leave the face more rested and rejuvenated. 

The lion's wrinkle

During frowning, the muscles responsible for eyebrow position (frontalis, orbicularis oculis, corrugator, procerus) are activated differently depending on the individual. This gives rise to five types of frown line. This classification is important from a therapeutic point of view because the injection technique will be slightly different.

photo ride du lion type omega

Ride of the lion type
omega

photo inverted omega lion wrinkle

Ride of the lion type
inverted omega

photo ride du lion type V

Lion's Ride
type V

photo ride du lion type U

Lion's Ride
type U

photo of lion wrinkle converging arrows

Ride of the lion type
converging arrows

photo causes ride du lion

What causes frown lines?

The main causes of frown lines are :

  • Repeated muscle contractions The lion's wrinkle is mainly due to the action of the corrugator muscles. The corrugator muscles are located at the head of the eyebrow. They enable us to frown, and are used to lower the head.
    These muscles develop quite rapidly, as they are called upon during facial expressions, which explains the appearance of wrinkles even in very young patients.
    Wrinkles first appear at the expressions, then become permanent once the skin has broken down.
  • Ageing With age, the skin loses its elasticity and its ability to relax completely after a muscular contraction.
  • Genetic factors Genetic predisposition can influence the depth and earliness of the appearance of this wrinkle.
  • Exposure to the sun Damage caused by UV rays accelerates skin ageing and the formation of wrinkles.
  • Smoking Smoking reduces blood circulation in the skin, accelerating skin ageing.

Stages of severity of frown lines

For therapeutic purposes, four stages of severity have been described for frown lines.

Stage 1: Light wrinkles

In the initial stage, frown lines appear as fine lines visible only when the corrugator muscles contract as the eyebrows are frowned upon. At this stage, the skin still retains good elasticity and fine lines disappear when resting.

Stage 2: moderate wrinkles

At this stage, wrinkles are visible even at rest. They begin to set in more permanently as a result of reduced collagen and elastin production. The skin begins to lose its firmness and wrinkles become more pronounced.

Stage 3: Deep wrinkles

Frown lines become deep and permanently visible, even when the face is relaxed. The loss of skin elasticity and volume is significant, making wrinkles more pronounced.

Stage 4: Very deep wrinkles

In the advanced stage, frown lines are very deep and well defined, often accompanied by skin folds. The skin has lost much of its elasticity and volume. The wrinkles give the face a severe and constantly preoccupied appearance.

In the early stages, an injection of botulinum toxin makes the wrinkle disappear.
In the more advanced stages, if the patient wishes to completely erase the wrinkle, hyaluronic acid injections should be carried out one month after the Botox injection.
The muscle responsible for frown lines is a powerful muscle, and it is possible to treat it with botox at the stage of deep and very deep wrinkles, but the result will last 3-4 months. Hence the importance of treating this type of wrinkle as soon as it appears.

photo natural lion wrinkle treatment

How do you erase frown lines without injections?

Among the natural methods for reducing this wrinkle, the facial gymnastics is distinguished by its non-invasive approach to skin health. Specific facial exercises can help reduce frown lines and relax the face.
Facial gymnastics is a complement to injections. This technique cannot prevent or treat frown lines if it is not combined with injections.

Facial gymnastics: a natural solution for frown lines

Facial gymnastics consists of a series of exercises designed to strengthen and tone the muscles of the face. These exercises can help smooth wrinkles and improve skin firmness. For frown lines, a number of targeted movements can be incorporated into your daily routine.

The exercise most often performed involves applying three fingers to the head of the eyebrow and stretching it outwards while frowning.

How do you get rid of frown lines?

There are many options for preventing and treating frown lines to keep skin smooth and youthful.
The most widely used and effective treatment is Botox injection.
In certain indications, hyaluronic acid injections can also be used.

photo of lion wrinkle treatment by botox injection

How do you erase frown lines? Botox injections for frown lines

The injection of Botox blocks the contraction of the corrugator muscles. The patient will no longer be able to frown, but the fact that this movement is impossible does not make the face look fixed. It is the inability to raise the eyebrows that freezes the face.
For some people (particularly certain artistic professions) it is important to be able to continue puckering, in which case partial blocking is possible.
A resting and frowning analysis precedes treatment.

A failed injection at this level causes :

  • Drooping of the eyelid (ptosis) due to diffusion of the product to the levator muscle of the upper eyelid.
  • Eyebrow drooping with the inability to raise the eyebrows (giving a frozen appearance) due to an injection that is too high and affects the forehead muscle.

This is often combined with the injection of crow's feet wrinkles to open up the eyes completely and not change the shape of the eyebrows.

photo filler lion wrinkle with hyaluronic acid

How do you get rid of frown lines?

Filling the frown lines with hyaluronic acid injections

Indications for injections ofhyaluronic acid for the filling of the frown lines are: the impossibility of carrying out the botox injection (refusal of the patient, contraindications...), the presence of a skin break, which will be corrected by an injection of hyaluronic acid approximately one month after the botox injection.
The injection must be carried out using a cannula. The practitioner must be experienced, as there is a risk of necrosis and visibility of the product (small balls or visible cord).

The hyaluronic acid used will be a true volumising acid if the wrinkle is deep and an acid of the skinbooster if the break is very superficial.

Results before / after Botox injection in frown lines

The lion's wrinkle treatment erases the stern, angry look caused by this wrinkle and rejuvenates the eyes, leaving them looking rested.

The result of Botox injections is visible from two days after the injection and is definitive seven days later. It lasts five to six months.
A follow-up appointment for a possible touch-up is scheduled one to three weeks after the injection.
The after-effects are marked by slight transient swelling (about ten minutes) and headaches lasting no more than five days.

The results of hyaluronic acid injections are immediate and last for a year.
There are no after-effects, and patients can resume their usual activities immediately after the injection.

How much does an injection for frown lines cost?

Type of consultation General rates
Hyaluronic acid
CHF 600 per syringe
Botox
WOMAN
one zone: CHF 300
two zones: CHF 450
three zones: CHF 600

MEN
one zone: CHF 350
two zones: CHF 500
three zones: CHF 650
How can frown lines be prevented?

Prevention is the key to reducing the appearance of frown lines. Effective advice.

  • Sunglasses: to avoid squinting in the sun.
  • Application of moisturising creams to maintain skin elasticity.
  • Sun protection.
  • Stop smoking: smoking accelerates skin ageing.
  • Skin care: use skin care products containing antioxidants and anti-ageing active ingredients.

Certain essential and plant oils can help reduce the appearance of frown lines thanks to their moisturising and regenerative properties.

  • Rosehip oil: rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin A, it helps to regenerate the skin and reduce wrinkles.
  • Argan oil: known for its moisturising and antioxidant properties, it helps improve skin elasticity.
  • Frankincense oil: this oil has anti-ageing properties and can help smooth wrinkles.

To treat frown lines, we recommend creams containing the following ingredients:

  • Retinol: stimulates collagen production and accelerates cell renewal.
  • Hyaluronic acid: deeply hydrates the skin and fills in wrinkles.
  • Peptides: help strengthen the skin's structure and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin.
  • Antioxidants: such as vitamins C and E, to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.

Gua Sha is a massage technique in which a specific tool is used to gently scrape the skin, traditionally used in traditional Chinese medicine. Its aim is to improve blood circulation and encourage lymphatic drainage.
Regular use of Gua Sha could potentially have beneficial effects on frown lines.
Results vary from person to person, and Gua Sha does not give 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 Botox® injections into the frown lines appear three to five days after the injection, with the maximum effect visible after a week. The effects generally last between three and six months, with maintenance sessions necessary to maintain the results.

Botox® injections are generally well tolerated and only slightly uncomfortable. The sensation is often compared to a mild insect bite. A topical anaesthetic may be applied before the procedure.

Anti-wrinkle creams help to 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 frown lines. For significant results, the creams must be combined with botox 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.

Other areas to be treated

Nasolabial fold

Crow's feet

Forehead wrinkles

Folds of bitterness

Lip lines

Menu