Many people seek help for the wrinkle between the eyebrows, their so-called “11 lines”. These are the vertical lines between our eyebrows. As we age, these lines become more visible. First, only when we frown or make facial movements but at some stage also when we just rest our face.

Very often, people feel that these lines between the eyebrows make them look grumpy or unhappy even though they feel absolutely normal and live a happy life. Interestingly, in a lot of cases, this is the first concern people seek help for and decide to see a cosmetic doctor. Luckily, these lines can be treated. Let’s first have a look at how these lines form, and then we can go through the treatment options.

What causes vertical lines between eyebrows?

When we look at our eyebrows, there is a small muscle in between our eyebrows that connects them. Each time when we frown, this muscle contracts and becomes shorter. As a result, the skin that lies on top of this muscle does not have enough space to stretch out and becomes wrinkly. Over the years, we move that muscle many, many times and, as a result, the wrinkle between our eyebrows becomes more visible.

On top of that, as we age, this muscle becomes shorter and stiffer-making the wrinkling worse. Furthermore, our skin loses collagen and elastin, two major building blocks of the skin. Due to this process, our skin becomes thinner and less elastic which also causes wrinkles.

How do you treat frown lines between the eyebrows?

1. Facial Injectables

So, now that we understand that this wrinkle is caused by a small muscle between our eyebrows, we can look at Botulinum Toxin as a treatment option. Botulinum Toxin relaxes muscles. So when we inject this into the muscle between our eyebrows, it becomes more relaxed and longer. The skin on top of the muscle has got more space to stretch out and, as a result, it looks less wrinkly.

In most cases, this simple and effective lunchtime procedure works very well and gets rid of this unsightly wrinkle. But for some women, if the wrinkle is deeper and visible at rest, they may need additional treatment. A good treatment option for deeper wrinkles is MINT Threads.

2.MINT Threads

MINT Threads are tiny, little surgical threads that we gently insert under your skin. Over a period of 3 months, these tiny threads gradually dissolve and stimulate collagen in that area. As a result, the skin becomes thicker and the wrinkle smoother.

The real advantage of MINT Threads is that you do not need to treat the whole face but can rather just target that one line and make it look smoother.

3. Dermal Filler

It is possible to treat the lines between the eyebrows with dermal filler that is very gently injected under the skin. The dermal filler is a thin, gel-like substance that fills up the wrinkle from underneath the skin and makes it less visible. If you choose this treatment option, it is very important that you see an experienced cosmetic doctor. This is because dermal filler injections can, extremely rarely, cause blindness. Most of these cases happened after dermal filler injections into the area between the eyebrows.

4. Skincare

And last but not least, please remember that beauty shop can go a very long way in improving fine lines and wrinkles. We always recommend you use vitamin C, retinol and a high-quality moisturiser on a daily base. On top of that, the occasional at-home peel helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles and restore radiance and glow to your skin. And please, even though you have heard this many times, do not forget your daily sunscreen as sun damage really makes skin wrinkly.

Please contact Satini Cosmetic Clinic anytime if you have any questions or concerns. All our injectable treatments are performed by Dr Nadja Haub who assesses your face carefully before she gives you any personalised treatment recommendations.

Please beware that Botulinum Toxin is a prescription medication.  It is FDA approved for the treatment of horizontal forehead lines, form lines and crow’s feet around the eyes. For details on precautions & side effects consult your healthcare professional or the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) at www.medsafe.govt.nz. Botox® treatment lasts about 4 months and further courses of treatment may be necessary. It should only be administered by trained doctors or nurses.