Computer work, poor eyesight and also genetic predisposition cause frown lines to appear above the root of the nose, which bother many people because they make the face look older and more severe. However, dermatologists and plastic aesthetic surgeons have effective treatments that can smooth out unsightly wrinkles – from Botox injections to thread lifts. And for prevention, massages that relax tense muscles are good.
What is an frown line?
The frown lines between the eyebrows (medically called glabellar wrinkles) are what make many people look tense and unfriendly, even though they are actually positive about life. People with frown lines are perceived by those around them as serious and stern, even if they are cheerful and humorous. The deep wrinkles are caused by pronounced facial expressions – frowning and squinting eyes. They run vertically, sometimes horizontally, and usually show up in pairs.
Causes
People who work at a computer with concentration every day run the risk of getting glabellar wrinkles. Especially if the work is strenuous: under tension, the forehead muscles are automatically contracted and the eyes squinted. The result: frown lines that don’t disappear the next morning, but dig in. But not only hours of work at the computer can be the cause of glabellar wrinkles. Anyone who is nearsighted or farsighted and uses the wrong visual aid also trains themselves to have frown lines. This is because those who have poor vision automatically pull their eyebrows together to focus on the objects around them. If the skin around the eyes is elastic, the frown lines smooth out again as soon as the eye muscles are relaxed. But after 30, the elasticity of the skin decreases. Not even teenagers can suffer from frown lines if they are hereditary. If the parents had frown lines, usually the children are also affected at some point. Even if they otherwise have a wrinkle-free, smooth face. Glabellar wrinkles develop so slowly that they are not noticed at first. But then so gradually, fine lines become notched wrinkles that change facial expressions and make people look unfriendly.
Diseases with this symptom
- Myopia
- Farsightedness
Diagnosis and course
A dermatologist can immediately tell if it is a frown line or if fine wrinkles are appearing because the facial skin is not getting enough fat and moisture. The dermatologist also knows to what extent an anti-wrinkle treatment is helpful.
When should you go to the doctor?
Frown lines are often typical signs of aging. Against the aging of the skin, even a doctor can do little. Type-appropriate skin care from the beginning keeps the skin elastic. A healthy diet and sufficient intake of drinking water provide aging skin with the nutrients it needs. Both are considered internal skin care. A trained esthetician can provide consultative help when frown lines begin to deepen. While frown lines are occasionally an expression of displeasure or frequent frowning. However, they are usually not a reason for a visit to the doctor. The problem lies rather in the psychological area or lower chances of success in the occupation. However, the person affected can counteract these with concealing cosmetics, facial gymnastics, gentle skin massages against the direction of the wrinkles or, if necessary, psychotherapy. The situation is different if deep frown lines suggest a character weakness that is a hindrance in the profession. In this case, cosmetic treatment could first be attempted to influence the depth of the wrinkles with wrinkle fillers containing hyaluronic acid. If this does not produce a convincing result, a plastic surgeon would be the best person to contact. He could inject the wrinkles with Botox or the patient’s own fat. A so-called thread lift can also be successful. Before considering a surgical facelift, all other methods of wrinkle treatment should not have yielded success. The surgical risks of a complete lift are significantly higher than is generally assumed.
Treatment and therapy
The most successful therapy against frown lines is a treatment with low doses of snake venom, with botulinum toxin. Before botulinum toxin (Botox) was used for beauty, doctors had been prescribing it for decades as a medication for migraines.It works effectively against the unbearable headaches and has positive side effects – forehead and frown lines disappear, facial features relax. Botulinum toxin is injected directly into the affected muscle areas by dermatologists or plastic aesthetic surgeons. After about a week, the effect sets in: the muscles relax, wrinkles smooth out. And patients can no longer frown, because the Botox has paralyzed the area of skin. This sounds unpleasant, but it is not: soon the patients will no longer feel the intervention. The only negative side effect can be small hematomas (bruises), but they quickly subside. It is important that only specialists administer Botox. Botox is broken down by the body, and its effect lasts an average of six months. Therapy with hyaluronic acid has also proven effective for frown lines. Hyaluronic acid is a substance produced naturally in the body, which is injected into the skin by dermatologists to effectively bind moisture. As a result, wrinkles are filled and the skin regains its elasticity. Like Botox, hyaluronic acid is broken down by the body, and its effects last six to twelve months, depending on the condition of the skin. Since the injections are painful, the skin areas are locally anesthetized beforehand. The redness of the skin after the treatment can be covered with powder. The third treatment method against frown lines is thread lifting: for this, the dermatologist or plastic aesthetic surgeon inserts degradable threads made of polydioxanone with a needle directly into the wrinkles, where they are supposed to gradually stimulate skin renewal. The tightening effect is immediate. The small punctures are only visible for a few minutes, and swelling goes down in a few days. After about six months, the stitches have degraded and follow-up treatment is recommended.
Prevention
Anyone who works at a computer every day and often catches themselves squinting their eyes or frowning should have their standing strength checked by an ophthalmologist. And especially important in summer: put on sunglasses so that the eye muscles remain relaxed and the sensitive skin is protected from damaging UV rays. In addition, relaxation exercises can be helpful:
- 1.Place heel of hand over brows, push skin up and hold. Look down. Now pull the forehead down against the pressure of the heels of the hands. Keep loose and repeat the exercise as many times as is comfortable.
- 2.Place the index and middle fingers of one hand on the root of the nose and slide the fingertips up the forehead, spreading the two fingers in a v-shape. Repeat the exercise as many times as you like. At the first signs of a frown line, daily care with moisturizers and consistent use of sunscreen with a high sun protection factor can also help prevent the wrinkle from digging in further.
