Erase the years. Effective treatments for glabellar lines
As you age, wrinkles appear on the face mostly in areas where your muscles move, such as around the mouth, eyes, and forehead. These deep wrinkles are harder to get rid of than glabellar lines.
Glabellar lines, also known as frown lines, or “11 lines,” are the vertical wrinkles that form between the eyebrows on the forehead. They become more apparent and noticeable as the aging process takes hold. Even when we are not anxious or tense, a furrowed brow might give the impression that we are.
What are glabellar lines?
Glabellar lines are vertical lines that develop between your eyebrows and nose when you frown due to the contraction and movement of two facial muscles. They often convey a constant state of anger, annoyance, and irritation to those around them. While it is something that gets more common with age, it may affect the way we look and feel about ourselves.
These lines typically become more prominent over time due to the natural aging process, sun exposure, and other environmental factors. Glabellar lines are the result of your forehead muscles squeezing inward as you furrow your brows. When you were young, they may have only been noticeable when you made certain facial expressions.
Over time, though, the tissue around the muscles might have developed wrinkles that never smooth out. However, due to aging and other factors, frown lines may become deeper and more visible even when not frowning, giving a mistaken impression of being angry.
Causes of glabellar lines
Facial expressions
The repetitive action of frowning, squinting, or furrowing the eyebrows contributes to the formation of glabellar lines over time. These movements cause the muscles between the eyebrows to contract, leading to the formation of wrinkles.
Sun damage
Chronic sun exposure hastens the skin’s aging process, facilitating the emergence of wrinkles, including frown lines. UV rays from the sun can wreak havoc on the skin’s collagen and elastin fibers.
Genetics
Genetics play a decisive role in how our skin ages and where wrinkles decide to set up camp. Some individuals may be genetically predisposed to develop frown lines sooner or with more prominence than others.
Loss of skin elasticity
As we age, our skin gradually loses its elasticity and resilience due to a decrease in collagen and elastin production. This loss of elasticity makes the skin more prone to developing wrinkles, including glabellar lines.
Smoking
Smoking is known to accelerate the aging process of the skin and increase the risk of developing wrinkles, including glabellar lines. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and damages collagen and elastin fibers, leading to premature aging and wrinkling.
Dehydration
Chronic dehydration can affect the appearance of the skin, making it look dull, dry, and more prone to developing wrinkles. Maintaining proper hydration levels by drinking an adequate amount of water each day can help keep the skin plump and hydrated, reducing the prominence of glabellar lines.
Best treatments for glabellar lines
Dermal fillers to treat glabellar lines
Hyaluronic-based dermal fillers gently fill the creases in the glabellar lines, smoothing and plumping the skin. Hyaluronic acid maintains moisture, stops the development of new wrinkles, and improves the condition of the skin in this sensitive area. The results are immediate and can last several months or more, depending on the specific filler used.
Juvederm
Juvederm is a hyaluronic-acid-based filler used for the treatment of glabellar lines around the eyebrows. Juvederm is better for filling in lost volume in the glabellar area and smoothing over the lines, for people who need more help with their eyebrows and facial muscles. The filler creates a temporary lift that smooths out the area. Results from Juvederm can last up to 12 months.
Restylane
Restylane, a popular hyaluronic acid filler, is commonly used to treat glabellar lines. HA fillers like Restylane work by adding volume to the skin, and filling in wrinkles and fine lines to create a smoother appearance. Restylane injections can provide immediate results, with the smoothing effects becoming noticeable right after treatment. The duration of the results lasts around six to twelve months.
Botox
Botox injections are commonly used to treat glabellar lines. It works by temporarily paralyzing the muscles responsible for causing these lines, thereby reducing their appearance. When used for cosmetic purposes, Botox can help reduce the appearance of frown lines by relaxing the muscles responsible for creating those lines.
This results in a smoother appearance of the skin and can help prevent the formation of new lines. Results typically become noticeable within a few days, with full effects appearing within one to two weeks. Botox treatments for glabellar lines typically last for three to four months, after which repeat treatments are usually necessary to maintain the desired results.
Dysport
Dysport is a medically tested and approved injectable for glabellar lines treatment when lines are caused by permanent muscle contraction. It is made of purified botulinum toxin that acts as a neuromodulator. Dysport relaxes the muscles, allowing the skin to get to its smooth flattened position and reduce the glabellar lines. Muscles stop repeating the habitual contraction movements after the treatment, and the wrinkles do not appear again as long as the effect of the Dysport lasts.
The most significant advantage is that the skin improvement after the Dysport injection becomes visible in just two or three days after the treatment. The duration of results can vary but generally lasts for three to four months, after which repeat treatments are necessary to maintain the desired outcome.
Chemical peels
Chemical peels can be an effective treatment option for improving the appearance of glabellar lines by exfoliating the skin and stimulating collagen production. Here’s how chemical peels work for glabellar lines. Chemical peels involve the application of a chemical solution to the skin, which causes the outer layers of damaged or dead skin cells to peel away. This exfoliation process reveals fresher, smoother skin underneath and helps to improve the texture of the skin, including reducing the appearance of glabellar lines.
Treating glabellar lines involves a variety of effective options tailored to individual needs. From minimally invasive procedures like Botox, Dysport, and dermal fillers to rejuvenating treatments such as chemical peels, there are solutions available to help smooth away forehead wrinkles and restore a more youthful appearance.
