Frown lines

Computer work, poor eyesight and genetic predisposition Frown lines arise above the bridge of the nose, which annoy many people because they make the face older and more severe. But dermatologists and plastic-aesthetic surgeons have effective treatment methods that can smooth out unsightly wrinkles - from botox injections to thread lifts. And as a preventive measure, massages that relax tense muscles are good.

What is a frown line?

The frown lines between the eyebrows (medical: Glabellar folds) are what make many people look tense and unfriendly, even though they are actually positive about life.

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People with frown lines are perceived by their fellow human beings as serious and strict, even if they are cheerful and humorous. The deep wrinkles are created by pronounced facial expressions - by frowning and squinting eyes. They run vertically, sometimes horizontally and usually appear in pairs.

causes

Anyone who works hard at the computer every day runs the risk of glabellar lines. Especially when the work is strenuous: When you are under tension, the forehead muscles automatically contract and the eyes squint. The result: frown lines that have not disappeared the next morning, but rather dig in.

But not only hours of work on the computer can be the cause of glabellar lines.Everyone who is nearsighted or farsighted and uses the wrong visual aid also trains frown lines. Those who cannot see well automatically draw their eyebrows together in order 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 from 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, the children are usually affected at some point. Even if they otherwise have a wrinkle-free, smooth face. The glabellar folds appear so slowly that they are not even noticed at first. But little by little, fine lines turn into notched wrinkles that change facial expressions and make people look unfriendly.

Diseases with this symptom

• myopia
• Farsightedness

Diagnosis & course

A dermatologist can tell immediately whether it is a frown line or whether there are fine lines because the facial skin is not adequately supplied with oil and moisture. The dermatologist also knows how helpful anti-wrinkle treatment is.

When should you go to the doctor?

Frown lines are often typical signs of age. Even a doctor can do little to prevent the aging of the skin. Appropriate skin care right from the start keeps the skin elastic. Consuming a healthy diet and sufficient drinking water supplies aging skin with the nutrients it needs. Both are considered internal skin care. A trained beautician can give advice if the frown lines slowly deepen.

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Frown lines are occasionally an expression of dissatisfaction or frequent frown lines. But they are usually not a reason for a doctor's visit. The problem lies more in the psychological area or less chance of success in the job. Those affected can counteract these with concealing cosmetics, facial gymnastics, gentle skin massages against the direction of the wrinkles or, if necessary, psychotherapy.

It looks different when deep frown lines suggest a character weakness that is a hindrance in the job. In this case, a cosmetic attempt could first be made to influence the depth of the wrinkles with wrinkle fillers containing hyaluronic acid. If that does not give a convincing result, a cosmetic surgeon would be the best contact. He could inject botox or autologous fat under the wrinkles. So-called thread lifting can also be successful.

Before considering a surgical facelift, all other methods of wrinkle treatment should have failed. The operational risks of a complete lift are significantly higher than is generally assumed.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

The most successful therapy against frown lines is a treatment with low-dose snake venom, with botulinum toxin. Before botulinum toxin (botox) was used for beauty, doctors had prescribed it as a drug against migraines for decades. It works effectively against 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. The effect starts after about a week: the muscles relax and wrinkles are smoothed out. And the patients can no longer frown, because the botox has paralyzed the skin area.

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That sounds uncomfortable, but it isn't: patients will soon no longer feel the intervention. The only negative side effects may be small bruises (bruises), but these subside quickly. It is important that only specialists administer botox. Botox is broken down by the body and its effects last an average of six months.

Therapy with hyaluronic acid has also proven effective for frown lines. Hyaluronic acid is an endogenous active ingredient that is injected into the skin by dermatologists to effectively bind moisture. This fills in the wrinkles and the skin regains its elasticity.

Like Botox, hyaluronic acid is also broken down by the body and its effects last for six to twelve months, depending on the nature of the skin. As the injections are painful, the skin areas are anesthetized locally beforehand. The reddening 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 there immediately. The small punctures can only be seen for a few minutes, and swelling will subside in a few days. After about six months, the sutures have broken down and follow-up treatment is recommended.

prevention

Anyone who works on the computer every day and often catches themselves squinting their eyes or frowning should have their stance 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 harmful UV rays.

Relaxation exercises can also be helpful:

• 1. Place the palm of your hand over the browbones, push the skin up and hold it. Look down. Now pull your forehead down against the pressure of your palms. Let go and repeat the exercise as many times as is comfortable.

• 2. Place the index and middle fingers of one hand on the bridge of the nose and slide your fingertips up the forehead, the two fingers spreading in a V-shape. Repeat the exercise as often as you like. At the first signs of frown lines, daily care with moisturizers and consistent use of sunscreens with a high sun protection factor can help prevent the crease from digging in any further.