Frown Lines: What They Are & How to Treat Them

Author

Dr. Stephen Cosentino

You don’t have to be a “frequent frowner” to suffer from frown lines. These unsightly facial lines can affect anyone. And because they’re a natural consequence of aging, no one is truly safe. You’re not alone in wanting to learn more about these lines and find ways to tackle them. In fact, On average, there are 943,500 monthly online searches for aging-related skin care concerns in the United States alone.

Fortunately, frown lines are among the most commonly treated types of facial lines and wrinkles. We know exactly what to do about them.

Ready to get rid of your frown lines for good, or at the very least to reduce their appearance for months at a time? Here’s what you should know first.

What Are Frown Lines?

Frown lines are also known as glabellar lines or ‘11’ lines, after their distinctive parallel, vertical shape.

Frown lines form on the relatively loose skin between and just above the eyes. They can extend up toward the middle of the forehead and down to the top of the nose bridge. While they often begin as fine lines that are only visible when you squint or scrunch your nose, they may deepen over time and become a feature of your resting facial expression.

What Causes Frown Lines?

Frown lines have several possible causes that often appear concurrently:

Natural aging processes: Facial lines and wrinkles happen inevitably as we age. This is because skin naturally loses collagen and elastin over time. This causes volume and elasticity loss and makes lines more visible.

Repeated facial muscle movements: It’s not just frowning. Repeated facial movements can hasten frown line formation. There’s not much we can do about this, short of doing our best poker face forever more.

Environmental and health factors: The “usual suspect” environmental and health risks contribute to frown lines. Smoking is a big one, so stop if you haven’t already. So is long-term sun exposure. Consider that up to 80% of visible facial aging, including the formation of frown lines, is attributed to sun exposure. Wear sunblock to parry UV rays and sunglasses to reduce squinting.

Can You Prevent Frown Lines?

As Karen Grant, a senior beauty industry analyst, said, “Skincare is like dieting. You have to invest time and effort. There is no instant miracle cure.” Still, there is a lot you can do to prevent and treat frown lines.

While you may not be able to completely prevent frown lines, you can take action to help minimize their appearance. Here are some skincare, lifestyle adjustments, and facial exercises you can start immediately that may make a big difference down the road.

Skincare Routine: Cleansing and Moisturizing: Use a gentle cleanser to remove impurities and follow up with a moisturizer that suits your skin type to maintain hydration and elasticity. Sun Protection: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, which can accelerate aging and contribute to wrinkle formation.
Facial Exercises:
Relaxation Techniques: Perform exercises that focus on relaxing the muscles between the eyebrows. For example, gently massaging the area with your fingertips can help release tension. Strengthening Exercises: Practice exercises that strengthen the forehead muscles, such as raising your eyebrows and holding the position for a few seconds.

Lifestyle Changes: Stress Reduction: Engage in stress-relieving activities like yoga, meditation, or deep-breathing exercises to prevent habitual frowning. Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated and plump, reducing the appearance of fine lines. Adequate Sleep: Ensure you get enough restful sleep each night to allow your skin to repair and regenerate, which can help maintain a youthful appearance.

By incorporating these prevention strategies into your daily routine, you can help reduce the formation of frown lines and maintain smoother, healthier skin.

Do Frown Lines Go Away on Their Own?

Sadly, frown lines rarely go away on their own. Once they appear, they’re probably here to stay.

And that’s where frown line treatments come in.

Best Treatments for Frown Lines

After multiple clinical trials and years of real-world experience, the verdict is in. The best option for treating frown lines is neuromodulation.

Some providers also recommend dermal filler injections. Let’s take a look at both.

Neuromodulator Injections

Botox®, Dysport®, and other neuromodulators can temporarily reduce or eliminate frown lines. The procedure typically requires two or more injections on each side of the glabellar area. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that in 2020, there were 4.4 million Botox procedures performed in the United States, making it the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedure.

Neuromodulator injections remain effective for three to six months, depending on the patient, dosage, and line depth. After that, results fade and follow-up treatment is needed to restore them.

Neuromodulators are well-tolerated by most patients, but they’re not for everyone. Talk to your provider before getting treatment.

Finally, you should always work with a licensed professional who understands where to inject Botox — and where not to. One or two millimeters off-target is all it takes to ruin what would otherwise be a perfect procedure. Don’t be afraid to ask your provider if they’ve completed an accredited Botox training course recently.

Dermal Filler Injections

Frown lines don’t respond to dermal fillers as dramatically as they do to neuromodulators. Still, hyaluronic acid injections can help restore age-related volume loss and reduce frown lines’ visual impact. Your provider may recommend pairing these injections with neuromodulation.

Other Advanced Treatment Options

In addition to neuromodulator injections, you can consider these other treatment options provided by qualified medical professionals:

Microneedling: Microneedling involves using a device equipped with fine needles to create micro-injuries on the skin's surface that stimulate the body's natural wound healing process. This process leads to increased production of collagen and elastin, essential proteins that help maintain skin firmness and elasticity. As a result, microneedling can improve skin texture, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and enhance overall skin appearance.

Chemical Peels: Chemical peels involve applying a chemical solution to the skin to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells from the surface. They promote cell turnover and stimulate collagen production, which can help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Chemical peels come in varying strengths—superficial, medium, and deep—each targeting different skin concerns and depths of skin damage.

Laser Treatments: Non-invasive laser treatments use focused light to stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture. These therapies can effectively reduce the appearance of frown lines and promote a more youthful appearance with minimal downtime. Common laser treatments include fractional CO2 lasers and pulsed dye lasers, each targeting different layers of the skin to address specific concerns.

Natural Remedies

We understand that not everyone is comfortable with more specialized treatments performed in a doctor’s office. While natural remedies may not be as dramatically effective as Botox, they can still help reduce the appearance of frown lines. Here are some options to consider:

Topical Treatments:

Retinoids: Over-the-counter products containing retinoids can help stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture, reducing the appearance of fine lines.
Peptides: Skincare products with peptides can support skin elasticity and firmness, potentially minimizing frown lines.
Antioxidants: Ingredients like vitamin C and E can protect the skin from oxidative stress and promote a more youthful appearance.

Face Yoga:

Forehead Smoothing Exercise: Place your fingertips on your forehead and gently pull the skin taut. Raise your eyebrows and hold for a few seconds before relaxing. Repeat this exercise to help relax and strengthen the muscles.
Eyebrow Lift: Using your index fingers, gently lift your eyebrows while resisting with your forehead muscles. Hold for a few seconds before releasing.

Massage Techniques:

Facial Massage: Regularly massaging your forehead and the area between your eyebrows can improve circulation and relax tense muscles. Use gentle, circular motions with your fingertips.
Acupressure: Apply light pressure to specific points on the face, such as the inner ends of the eyebrows, to relieve tension and promote relaxation.

These natural remedies can be incorporated into your daily routine to help manage frown lines and maintain healthier skin.

Remember, the best approach to treating frown lines depends on your individual needs and preferences. Consulting with a qualified skincare professional can help you determine the most suitable treatment plan for you.