How to reduce and prevent frown lines
There comes a time in everyone’s life when you look in the mirror and notice the faint formation of those lines and wrinkles that you’ve been hearing about all your life as if they have just suddenly appeared overnight. Frown lines are one type of wrinkle that commonly appears with age, in the form of two pesky vertical lines between the eyebrows and they’re often referred to as ’11 lines’.
Frown lines can show up as early as your 20s and further deepen with age, especially if you have a naturally expressive face. They’re mostly caused by repeated muscle movement, which gradually breaks down collagen and elastin (the building blocks of the skin). Other factors like UV rays and pollution can also contribute to the deterioration of collagen and elastin and lead to more visible lines and wrinkles in the long run. This is why daily sunscreen protection is crucial for maintaining healthy, youthful skin, as it helps limit damage to the cells that make collagen and elastin.
Whether you’re only just starting to notice ’11 lines’ between your eyebrows, or you have had deep, set in lines for several years, this is everything you need to know about frown lines – from how to prevent them to getting rid of them for good.
Preventing frown lines
If you’ve noticed that frown lines are beginning to form and you’d like to prevent them from worsening any further, there are a few things that you can do. Firstly, assess your lifestyle – are you maintaining a healthy diet? Are you a smoker? Do you use daily sun protection? Do you wear sunglasses to stop you from squinting in the sun – a leading cause of the 11’s? How are you managing stress? As stress elevates cortisol levels, which causes inflammation and, in turn, damages collagen, limiting stress will help to prevent signs of ageing all over the body.
The way that you sleep can also worsen 11 lines. Consider investing in a silk pillowcase which will allow your skin to slide in the night instead getting stuck in one position. While this won’t improve existing frown lines, it will help to stop them from worsening.
Treatments for frown lines
Botox
Botox works by blocking the chemical needed for muscle contraction. When treating the frown lines, Botox will help to smooth the lines, resulting in a refreshed and relaxed appearance. While Botox will help to lessen the appearance of frown lines, it may not completely eradicate the lines, especially if they are deep. In this case, we may combine Botox with energy-based treatments like Sofwave, dermal fillers, or microneedling.
Fillers
Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers can be injected to plump up and fill the static frown lines. If the frown lines and present even when you’re not frowning, Dermal filler may be the best solution.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels improve the appearance of wrinkled skin by using a chemical solution to remove the outer layer of dead skin cells. Certain types of chemical peels can be used to help smooth frown lines by stimulating collagen in the area, resulting in a plumper, smoother, and less wrinkled appearance.
Microneedling
Microneedling boosts collagen quickly and effectively by causing low-level trauma to the uppermost layer of the skin, helping skin to regenerate by replacing old collagen fibres with new ones. In turn, this results in tightening of the skin and, with the right treatment plan, almost complete eradication of frown lines.
Sofwave
Sofwave, a next-generation ultrasound device, is emerging as a clear leader among available energy-based wrinkle-reversing technologies. Sofwave delivers a unique form of ultrasound waves to boost the supply of collagen and elastin under your skin’s surface. The wrinkle-reducing results can be seen after a single treatment.
Can you fix frown lines with skincare?
You can also reduce the appearance of frown lines through your skin care routine. Look for products containing ingredients like retinol or vitamin c that promote collagen production. If you have particularly sensitive skin, look for gentler retinol alternatives (such as Bakuchiol or lactic acid) that will exfoliate without causing redness or sensitivity. And, of course, using daily sunscreen will help prevent sun damage and collagen breakdown.
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Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.