Forehead, Glabella frown lines & synergy
The Glabella frown lines are the vertical lines between your eyebrows, also known as the cranky lines or the ‘elevens’. The forehead lines are the horizontal lines above the eyebrows. Anti-wrinkle treatments with muscle relaxants or dermal fillers are highly effective. Patients often have over 90% improvement after treatment.
These are two completely different treatment areas, and the wrinkles are formed by two distinct groups of muscles (namely, the Frontalis for the forehead and Corrugator plus depressor supercilious and the Procerus for the frown lines). However, it is worth discussing these areas together in a single context as, for most people, these areas are likely to have a cross-influencing effect in the medium to long term.
If the forehead lines are treated in isolation from the frown line in the long term, studies and our experience have shown that this can cause hyperactivity in patient’s frown lines. This is not to say that we must treat both areas every time we have treatment; some patients work in beneficial professions to maintain their frown lines. They believe that it makes them look more severe and harsh. For patients who prefer to keep the frowning appearance, we ensure that only the forehead is treated, leaving the frown lines to be more prominent over time. However, for over 95% of our patients, even if the frown lines are not your primary concern if forehead treatment is received regularly, it is best to treat the frown lines with a minimum dose every 2nd to 3rd treatment to prevent the deepening of the Glabella frowns.
Most patients can have treatment in the frown line alone with no negative aesthetic long-term impact on the forehead. However, if you have an ‘omega’ frown (example pictured below), you often need to have treatment on the forehead as well as the frown line in order to have the most effective treatment. For severe horizontal lines on the forehead, a surgical forehead lift may be required to achieve the optimal result for the patient.
It is essential to point out that we are all individuals. However, there are some guidelines on dosage(amount of medication needed), and we find that there could be a significant difference from patient to patient. The dosage, frequency and longevity of treatment can vary. A normal to higher dosage infrequently (every 3-4 months) can suit many people; others experience a better result from having a lower dosage more frequently. Some anatomists have also lectured on the long-term benefits of muscle relaxant treatment, viewing it as a ‘prevention’ and a short-term ‘treatment’ for wrinkles. Please book a face-to-face consultation with one of our practitioners for a personalised assessment.