Frown Lines

Frown lines, also referred to as 'glabellar lines', or 'eleven lines' are vertical lines that develop between the eyebrows. This area is anatomically known as the glabella complex, which is the area of skin located between the eyebrows and just above the bridge of the nose. They form due to repeated facial movement, underlying muscle activity and changes in the skin over time.

At MD Cosmetic Nurse, a frown line consultation begins with a thorough assessment of glabellar muscle movement, skin quality, and the depth of lines between the brows. Michelle Dodd RN holds a Master of Nursing and has over 12 years experience in aesthetic medicine. Consultations are conducted within specialist plastic surgery clinics across Surry Hills and Mosman, as well as Penrith, Sydney.

If you have concerns about frown lines or glabellar expression, a consultation provides the opportunity to discuss your individual anatomy and explore what options may be suitable for you.

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Anatomy diagram showing the corrugator supercilli and procerus muscles responsible for glabellar lines between the eyebrows.

Which muscles contribute to frown lines?

Corrugator Supercilli
The corrugator supercilli muscles pulls the eyebrows inward and downward during facial expressions such as concentrating and frowning. Repeated contraction of this muscle can contribute to the vertical lines that form between the eyebrows.

Procerus
The procerus muscle is located between the corrugator supercilli muscles between the brows. When it contracts, it can contribute to horizontal creasing across the bridge of the nose.

Depressor Supercilli
The depressor supercilli muscles are located beneath the inner part of the eyebrow. When frowning, it pulls the inner part of the eyebrow downward.

What causes frown lines?

Frown lines are the vertical lines between the eyebrows that develop as a result of repeated facial movement combined with natural changes in the skin as a part of the facial aging process.

Muscle contraction
When muscles in the brow area contract during expressions such as concentrating or frowning, the skin folds vertically. Over many years, these repeated movements can gradually lead to visible lines forming in the skin.

Skin changes
As the skin ages, collagen and elastin levels gradually decrease. These proteins help maintain the skin's firmness and elasticity. When their levels decline, the skin loses its support and glabellar lines can become more visible.

Other factors
Sun exposure, genetics, and skin quality may also influence how vertical lines form between the eyebrows develop over time.

Dynamic vs Static Lines

Frown lines often begin as dynamic lines, meaning they only appear when the facial muscles are actively moving during frowning.

Over time, these lines can become static lines, which remain visible even when the frown muscles are relaxed. This change occurs gradually as the skin structures change with ageing and repeated movements affecting the same area causes vertical wrinkles to become etched into the surface of the skin.

Understanding facial anatomy in the glabellar region

The glabellar complex contains several anatomical layers that contribute to the appearance of vertical lines. These include:

• the outer skin
• the dermis
• subcutaneous tissue
• underlying facial muscles

Changes within these layers during the ageing process can influence how vertical frown lines form and how visible they become over time. Understanding these layers help explain how facial movement interacts with the skin surface and contributes to the appearance of wrinkles.

Ageing changes in the upper face can affect several areas. You can also learn more about forehead lines and eye wrinkles.

How frown lines are assessed during a consultation

During a frown consultation, facial anatomy and skin characteristics are assessed individually.

This may include evaluating:
• muscle movement patterns
• position of the eyebrows
• skin quality and elasticity
• facial proportions
• overall facial ageing patterns
• natural-looking outcomes

A personalised wrinkle reduction consultation for frown lines in Sydney allows an assessment of individual anatomy and ageing changes. A consultation provides the opportunity to discuss your individual concerns, and the factors contributing to visible facial changes, and to determine what options may be appropriate for you. Treatment options and results may vary from person-to-person.

Why choose MD Cosmetic Nurse for a frown line consultation

Choosing the right practitioner for your aesthetic consultation is an important decision. All assessments at MD Cosmetic Nurse are tailored to each individual, and are consultation-led. This means your individual concerns, anatomy, and goals are discussed in detail before any treatment is considered. Michelle is centred on professionalism, ethical, evidence-based practice, and patient safety.

• Experienced registered nurse with over 12 years experience performing aesthetic procedures.
• Master of Nursing with a year-long capstone project on complications with aesthetic procedures.
• A natural-looking, balanced approach for subtle outcomes.
• Aesthetic ultrasound use in select consultations to provide insight for your individual anatomy.
• Consultations are conducted in professional, medical clinical environments inside specialist plastic surgeon-owned clinics in Surry Hills and Mosman, as well as Penrith.

Book a consultation for a detailed facial assessment to determine suitability for your individual goals. Individual results vary from person-to-person and from treatment-to-treatment. A consultation is required and does not guarantee treatment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Frown lines are vertical lines that develop between the eyebrows. They are commonly referred to as glabellar lines, or 'eleven lines' and form due to repeated facial movement and natural changes in the skin over time.

Lines between the eyebrows develop primarily due to repeated contraction of the muscles in the brow region combined with changes in the skin collagen and elasticity as part of the ageing process.

Glabellar lines may begin appearing in the late twenties or thirties, although this varies depending on genetics, skin quality, facial movement patterns, and environmental factors such as sun exposure.

Frequent facial expressions such as frowning, or concentrating activate the muscles between the eyebrows, can contribute to the formation of frown lines over time.

The two primary muscles involved in frowning are the corrugator supercilli and the procerus muscles, which control movement of the eyebrows and the skin between them.