Frown lines are the vertical wrinkles located between the eyebrows, in the glabellar region. They are primarily caused by repeated contractions of the corrugator and procerus muscles, combined with the progressive decline in collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid associated with skin ageing. Over time, these wrinkles become visible even at rest and can give the face a stern, worried, or tired appearance. In aesthetic medicine, botulinum toxin is the reference treatment for frown lines.
This technique temporarily relaxes the muscles responsible for their formation. When the wrinkles are already visible at rest, hyaluronic acid injections, Skinboosters, or laser treatments may also be combined.
Key data on frown lines
Clinical study data on frown lines
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 :
Treatment of frown lines with botulinum toxin is a medical procedure performed in the clinic. It consists of injecting very small amounts of the product into the corrugator muscles and the procerus muscle, which are responsible for frowning and the formation of vertical wrinkles between the eyes.
La consultation permet d’analyser la dynamique du haut du visage, l’intensité de la contraction musculaire et la profondeur de la ride du lion. Le docteur Romano recherche les éventuelles contre-indications, explique le mécanisme d’action de la toxine botulique et définit un plan de traitement adapté à la morphologie du patient afin de préserver des expressions naturelles.
After disinfecting the skin, two injections are performed using a very fine needle into the targeted muscles. The procedure generally takes between 10 and 15 minutes and does not require anaesthesia. The doses are carefully tailored to reduce muscle contraction without freezing the facial expressions.
Daily activities can be resumed immediately. It is recommended to avoid massaging the treated area during the first few hours, as well as intense physical exercise, saunas, steam rooms, and prolonged positions with the head bent forward on the day of treatment.
Botulinum toxin injections are preceded by a medical consultation to confirm the absence of contraindications and ensure the safety of the treatment.
The main contraindications are :
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.
In Geneva, the price of a botulinum toxin injection to treat frown lines is CHF 300 for women and CHF 350 for men, CHF 450 for two treatment areas for women and CHF 500 for men, and CHF 600 for three treatment areas for women and CHF 650 for men. If an additional hyaluronic acid injection is required, the cost is CHF 600 per syringe.
The treatment plan is established on an individual basis. During the initial consultation, Dr Romano determines with the patient the most appropriate solution according to their needs, in order to achieve a natural and harmonious result.
Whether the goal is to prevent the appearance of frown lines or to soften already established wrinkles, the objective is to restore a relaxed and open expression to the eyes without freezing the face.
All procedures are performed in a medical environment using certified products.
The price of botulinum toxin injections for the treatment of frown lines in Geneva varies according to the number of treatment areas (the frown line corresponds to one treatment area) and the patient's sex (due to differences 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.
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.
