Treatment for Frown Lines
Facial treatments to reduce the appearance of lines on the face are one of the most popular cosmetic procedures currently available. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), which collects such data annually from its members, four of the five most often requested non-surgical cosmetic procedures in 2014 were to address lines and wrinkles on the face. In fact, Botulinum Toxin A (most commonly known as either Botox or Dysport) was the most popular overall surgical or non-surgical cosmetic procedure for 2014. More than 6 million procedures were performed by ASPS member surgeons in that year.
What Causes Frown Lines?
Glabellar frown lines (those that form vertically between the brows) become more pronounced with age as a part of the skin’s natural aging process. As facial skin ages, it loses collagen, which is a natural protein the body produces to fill out the body over the skeletal frame. The result of collagen loss in the facial area can result in a gaunt, hollowed appearance with pronounced furrows and wrinkles. This collagen loss, along with damage from sun exposure, leaves the skin thinner and less able to smoothly fill out the area between the brows, resulting in glabellar frown lines. Frown lines may also be more pronounced in people who are very emotive with their facial expressions.
Non-surgical Cosmetic Treatments for Glabellar Frown Lines
Both Botox and Dysport are the two most common non-surgical treatments for glabellar frown lines. They work by relaxing the facial muscles between the brows, thereby making the lines less noticeable. If the frown lines are very deep, dermal fillers (such as Juvederm, Perlane or Restylane) or fat injections can be used either alone or in conjunction with Botox or Dysport in order to both reduce the amount of muscle movement and the appearance of glabellar frown lines.
The main disadvantage to this procedure is that the effects of Botulinum Toxin A and dermal fillers will diminish over time as these substances are absorbed into the body. Results generally last anywhere from 12 to 18 months.
Surgical Cosmetic Treatments for Glabellar Frown Lines
The main cosmetic surgical treatment for frown lines is a brow lift procedure. For this procedure, the surgeon will make incisions just above the brows, then gently lift the skin and underlying tissue up, reposition the brows higher on the face, then suture everything back into place. In order to best address glabellar frown lines in particular, the corrugator and procerus muscles (responsible for the vertical frown lines between the brows) will be severed. In particularly severe cases, tissue grafts will be inserted to prevent the muscles from becoming reattached. Fat grafts may also be used in particularly severe cases.
Frown lines can make a person look worried or angry, even if they aren’t. There are now several ways to reduce the appearance of frown lines, which the staff at Jefferson Plastic Surgery will be more than happy to discuss with you.