Frown lines can be some of the most noticeable and pronounced signs of aging to develop once natural collagen production begins to slow down. This is due to the repeated formation of facial expressions over time, which cause frown lines to form due to overactive muscles. These dynamic wrinkles can become increasingly evident over time, even when the face is at rest. Fortunately, our renowned aesthetic practice offers Newport Beach patients both surgical and non-surgical solutions to help reduce frown lines, such as:
- Brow Lift: A brow lift or forehead lift provides long-term improvement in the appearance of frown lines. Not only does this procedure lift the brows — which may have begun to droop due to aging — but it also addresses weakened musculature that may be responsible for the formation of frown lines. As a result, brow lift surgery can smooth the vertical glabellar creases unintentionally causing an older, stressed, or angry appearance. However, a brow lift does not remove or paralyze the muscle responsible for frown lines, therefore it does not eliminate the need for injectable treatments. It’s a surgical procedure, thus requiring a recovery period. However, the biggest benefit is that the gains tend to be very long-lasting.
- BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport®: Neuromodulators can offer an effective non-surgical solution to treat frown lines, eliminating the need for anesthesia, invasiveness, or downtime. They are most effective in treating lines that appear only when frowning (called dynamic lines) and preventing them from becoming etched in fixtures even at rest (called static lines). The most popular options for neurotoxin injectables include BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport®, which are meticulously injected into the corrugator and procerus muscles to relax these areas and soften wrinkles, called the “elevens” in that location. While convenient and well-tolerated, results from BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport® typically last three to four months and touch-up treatments are necessary to maintain the results.
- Restylane® and JUVÉDERM®: Static frown lines are present at rest. This occurs because repeated movement has caused some loss of volume underneath the skin surface. The optimal non-surgical treatment of frown lines requires the use of dermal fillers in combination with neuromodulators. By replenishing the lost volume underneath the skin’s surface, fillers help improve the appearance of the lines at rest while the neuromodulators help soften the lines by minimizing wrinkling with movement. The longevity of Restylane® and JUVÉDERM® is about one year, but can be extended to several years when the patient maintains the area by keeping up with BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport® injections.
The best treatment for you depends on the severity and depth of your frown lines, as well as the nature of your aesthetic goals.
Led by our double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, OC Facial Plastic Surgery offers a myriad of non-surgical treatments to refresh signs of aging in the face and neck. Contact our Newport Beach practice today to learn about the right option(s) to achieve your goals or to book a consultation.
