What Frown Lines Are
Frown lines form between the brows because two small muscles, the corrugators and the procerus, pull the brows in and down every time you concentrate, squint into the sun, or read something on your phone. Over years, the skin creases along the same fold until the lines are there even when your face is relaxed. They tend to show up earlier than other lines because those muscles are strong and get used constantly.
How Botox Treats Them
Botox is injected in a few small points across the muscles that create the frown. The muscles relax, the pulling stops, and the skin over them stops folding. Botox is FDA-approved for treating frown lines, and it's the area with the longest track record of any cosmetic use. Lines that are dynamic, meaning they show only when you frown, usually smooth out completely. Lines that have become etched into the skin at rest soften considerably and continue to improve with regular treatment.
Pricing
| Product | Non-Member | Member |
|---|---|---|
| Botox or Xeomin | $12 per unit | $11 per unit |
| Dysport | $5 per unit | $4 per unit |
Priced per unit. The number of units depends on how strong your frown muscles are, and we'll confirm the exact count and your total before treating you. See Membership Pricing
What to Expect at Home
Dr. Bashian or Rachel Fey, PA will ask you to frown, look at how the muscles move, and mark the injection points. You might have small bumps at the sites for twenty minutes or so, and occasionally a small bruise. You can go about your day right away. Avoid lying down, rubbing the area, or hard exercise for about four hours.
You'll notice the change in three to five days, and the full result at about two weeks. It lasts three to four months.
Who It's For
Anyone who has frown lines that show with expression, or that have started to stay at rest, and who wants them softer without changing how their face looks overall. It is also a common preventive treatment for people who notice they frown a lot and want to stay ahead of the lines. We do not treat anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, or who has certain neuromuscular conditions.
Risks and Side Effects
Minor bruising, redness or a mild headache in the first day are the most common. Rarely, the medication can drift and cause a temporary drooping of the eyelid or heaviness of the brow, which resolves on its own over a few weeks. Injector skill matters a great deal here, which is one reason we keep this in the hands of a physician and a PA. Individual results vary.
