Frown lines

Treatment for deep lines between the eyebrows and across the forehead.

No referral needed · at ActivMD Derm Spa, next door to our clinic

Frown lines form when the tissue between the eyebrows gathers, or knits, into a fold. They are caused by the repeated action of the underlying muscles of facial expression.

Years of squinting and frowning tend to leave deep wrinkles in the skin between the eyebrows and on the bridge of the nose, across the forehead and at the corners of the eyes.

Neuromodulators can be used to treat frown lines and to stop the muscles from contracting and deepening the lines. To treat wrinkles that are already there, fillers can be used in combination with neuromodulators.

How frown lines form

Frown lines form over time. Repeated movement of the facial skin by the muscles creates frown lines between the eyebrows: the muscles above and between the eyebrows contract and tighten, and can cause wrinkles.

Frown lines are not only age-related. They are dynamic, which means they happen because of the way a person’s face moves. Because facial movements such as frowning or squinting create them, they may develop even in younger adults. Forehead and frown lines can be a frequent problem for both men and women as the years roll by.

What causes frown lines

Frown lines are primarily caused by aging. As you age, your skin loses tightness and elasticity and doesn’t easily return to its original shape.

Other things that contribute to frown lines are:

Genetics. Your DNA determines whether you have resilient skin that can delay lines, or skin that is more prone to lines and wrinkles.
Sunlight. The UV rays in sunlight break down the elastin and collagen in your skin, making you more susceptible to lines.
Repeated expressions. If there is a facial expression you often make (like frowning, smiling, squinting or furrowing your eyebrows), you may be more likely to get frown lines.
Stress. Stress can cause facial tension, which can lead to repeated facial expressions, which can lead to frown lines.
Smoking. The repeated motion of smoking a cigarette or cigar can cause frown lines around the mouth. Inhaled tobacco smoke also causes wrinkles and lines by narrowing the blood vessels, which then deliver less oxygenated blood to those tissues.

How we smooth frown and forehead lines

We offer several effective ways to reduce frown lines.

Relaxing the muscles

By injecting neuromodulators (botulinum toxin type A) beneath the surface of your skin, we can reduce the muscle contractions in your face, smoothing those creases and softening those lines to help bring back your youthful skin.

Natural and synthetic fillers

We use both natural and synthetic dermal fillers at Rao Dermatology.

Offering Juvederm®, Restylane®, Revanesse and RADIESSE® dermal fillers, our injectors, trained by Dr. Rao, will assess your skin and recommend the filler best suited to your skin and risk tolerance.

Your own platelets

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an injectable therapy that uses your own blood platelets to rejuvenate your skin. We draw your blood, spin it down, then inject the platelets into your skin to improve texture, lines and wrinkles.

Placed deeper into areas like your frown lines, PRP can stimulate other cells to create fuller, healthier-looking skin. Because PRP uses your own cells and tissues, there are significantly fewer side effects than with neuromodulators or dermal fillers.

Changes to the skin with PRP are gradual and continue for three to six months, and the results last about two years.