Frown lines can be very frustrating. Many of my patients call it their “resting $#@!*^ face.” Many patients complain of being accused of being cranky or mad when they really aren’t because of the pensive look that the frown lines between the eyebrows can cause. Botox is a great first-line treatment for frown lines. It lasts about 3 months sometimes a bit longer. There is no downtime, and some patients with tension headaches get improvement from the Botox injections for their frown lines. Dermal fillers may also be placed into the deep furrows between the eyebrows, but this can be a higher risk area than other locations on the face because of the vessels that are present. Botox works on the muscles that make the lines and the filler works on the lines themselves, so they work well together as a two-prong approach. Use of a blunt-tip cannula provides a safer way to put dermal filler into this location.
Surgery can also be done through a forehead or eyelid approach to partial remove the muscles that cause the frown lines. This method is effective, but can leave some numbness that can last up to a year or longer sometimes. Dr. Burroughs does perform this surgery mostly through an eyelid approach during upper blepharoplasty surgery for patients, who wish a more permanent treatment. Because its not ideal to completely remove all the frown muscles it is only about 60% as effective as Botox injections. Shown is a patient that didn’t like her frown lines. She had some Botox and Radiesse filler and feels she looks more relaxed and less “angry” appearing.
