6 Ways to Reduce the Appearance of Frown Lines

Have you ever seen a photo of yourself or looked in the mirror and felt like you were frowning, even when you weren’t? It could be because you have prominent glabellar lines—that’s the technical term for the two vertical, parallel wrinkles that crop up between your brows and above your nose when you frown, aptly dubbed “11s,” or frown lines. These are formed by the skin being pulled by underlying muscles.

When we’re younger, the lines appear only when you contract the muscle to frown; they disappear when the muscle is relaxed, which is why they’re called “dynamic wrinkles. But as we get older, these wrinkles become visible all the time and turn into “static wrinkles,” also known as “wrinkles at rest”.

If these are the types of lines you’re dealing with—and are bothered by—don’t stress. There is a wide range of treatment options out there (although—spoiler alert—one method is far more effective than the rest). Ahead, we reveal the best treatments both at home and at the spa that can help diminish the look of glabellar lines.

1. Consider Botox for the Best Results

It’s unanimously agreed that Botox injections are far and above the best solution. The most effective way to get rid of these lines is with a neuromodulator, such as Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, or Jeuveau. (These are all just different brand names of botulinum toxin injections.) They work by blocking the communication between the nerve and the muscle so that the muscles don’t contract; because the muscle contraction is precisely what is causing these lines, neuromodulators are the ideal option for both preventing and treating them.

The only downside? The results will only last for about four to six months, so you’ll need to repeat injections in order to maintain the effects. But the upshot is that they’ll also help enhance the efficacy of the other treatment options below since the muscles will already be weakened.

2. Apply Topical Products With Peptides

Whether used in tandem with injections or solo for those who want a totally non-invasive solution, peptides are the ingredient to seek out in your skin care. More specifically, you’ll want to use neurotransmitter-inhibitor peptides that essentially work via the same mechanism of action as Botox does (though these are admittedly not as effective). The most common ingredients to look for are: Argireline (also known as acetyl hexapeptide-8), pentapeptide-18, pentapeptide-3, and tripeptide-3). These cosmeceutical peptides can help relax muscles, causing the reduction and softening of wrinkles and fine lines.

3. Use a Stick-On Silicone Patch

Stick-on wrinkle patches may seem a little gimmicky (and quite frankly, too good to be true), but they can have at least some temporary benefits. Typically made of medical-grade silicone, they work by both keeping the skin taut so it can’t crease or wrinkle and locking in moisture that helps make the skin appear plumper and wrinkles smoother. While the effects aren’t scientifically proven, if you regularly wear them for several hours a day and aren’t contracting your muscles during that time, you could see some improvement in your wrinkles. And, at the very least, they’re a good option to reach for if you need a quick—albeit temporary—fix before a big event.

4. Ask Your Doctor About a Thread Lift

The most invasive option on this list, polydioxanone threads are sugar-based and are dissolved by the body over several weeks. They can be placed under the glabellar lines to provide some immediate improvement by lifting the lines, much like a filler would. The other benefit? They’re also bio-stimulatory, meaning they stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in the area. And while glabellar lines are more of a result of repeated muscle movement than a breakdown of collagen and elastin, more collagen and elastin are never a bad thing in the quest for smoother skin and fewer frown lines.

5. Think About Trying Injectable Fillers

If the glabellar lines are deeply etched in and don’t sufficiently disappear after neuromodulator injections, then a superficial filler can create great results. Injecting filler under the lines can help fill them and soften their appearance, though because they’re not addressing the underlying cause, the muscle movement, fillers won’t keep the lines from getting deeper over time. (To that point, the combination of Botox and filler injections is a good way to prevent and treat.)

The big caveat here? Injecting filler into the glabellar lines is very risky: The glabellar area has many blood vessels running through it, some of which lead back into the eye. If the filler were to get into the blood vessels, it could impede blood flow and cause a wound on the skin or, if the blood vessel leads to the eye, even cause blindness. With any cosmetic injections, but even more so in this case, make sure you’re seeing a licensed, experienced provider.

6. Micro Needling Is Always An Option

If you’re not ready to take the leap on bigger cosmetic procedures and want to try a less invasive, less expensive option like micro needling. While at-home devices can work, in-office equipment for micro needling is much more effective and hygienic. The micro needling machine works to create deeper micro-wounds than what your at-home tool can do.

For anti-aging facials, botox injections, and more, contact Botanica Day Spa and we can help you say buh-bye to those frown lines! Call 727-441-1711 to schedule an appointment today.

Love,

Gen