Botox for Your Frown or Glabella Lines

Anna Kremerov
Checked By Anna Kremerov

If you've got frown lines that appear when you furrow your brow (known medically as glabellar lines) Botox (botulinum toxin) injections can definitely help to reduce the appearance of facial lines and achieve a more relaxed and smooth facial appearance.

Botox is a brand name for botulinum toxin type A. Other brands available in the UK include Bocouture, Azzalure, Letybo and Nuceiva.

What are frown lines?

What Are Frown Lines?

Frown lines are a common concern for men and women of all ages as we all develop lower forehead wrinkles due to our everyday facial expressions. They are the two parallel lines that form in between the eyebrows due to repetitive movement of your facial muscles, in the area known as the glabella complex.

People often say that these wrinkles make them look older or angry because frowning is normally associated with negative expression or stress.

What Causes Frown Lines?

Frown lines (glabellar lines) can be caused by repeated muscle movement of two muscles- the procerus muscle and corrugator supercilii when you frown or smile often (or both). The procerus muscle contractions will cause bunching of the skin and the appearance of horizontal lines across your nose bridge. The corrugator supercilli muscle contractions will draw the eyebrows together thus creating a few vertical lines between your eyes. When this happens repeatedly over time, the lines may become ingrained or etched in.

Other factors that can contribute to frown line development are sun damage, smoking, and loss of skin elasticity as we get older (these factors also contribute to crow's feet, horizontal forehead lines, and horizontal creases). 

Can I Get Rid of Frown Lines?

Yes, and it's one of the most popular and effective treatments worldwide. Botulinum toxin treatment with Botox or other licensed brands such as Bocouture, Azzalure, Letybo and Nuceiva is the most effective way to relax the muscles and help to improve frown lines. It works in the majority of cases and can be repeated to maintain results. 

Botulinum toxin injections are also a good alternative to cosmetic surgery, as risks aren't as high or severe. Treatment with botulinum toxin isn't a permanent solution; however, you can repeat injections every three to six months.

Can I get rid of frown lines?
What can I expect from frown line treatment?

What Can I Expect From Frown Line Treatment?

Your practitioner can numb your skin prior to injection, so you only feel a 'sharp scratch' as the needle goes in.

Immediately after the procedure, you may notice some redness and swelling, but this should die down after a few hours.

Results will be noticeable after two weeks and should last three to six months.

How Much Does It Cost to Treat Frown Lines With Botox?

Prices will vary depending on the level of experience of your practitioner, and the location in which they're offering treatment. For example, the cost of Botox treatments in London will be a lot more than in South Wales!

On average, you can expect to pay between £200-£400.

Don't be swayed by cost though – your safety should always come first, so be prepared to pay more for an appropriately qualified and experienced practitioner.

Are There Side Effects to Treating Frown Lines With Botox Injections?

Side effects to Botox and other brands of botulinum toxin are rare, but can include:

  • Headaches

  • Swelling

  • Allergic reaction

  • Droopy eyelids

  • Dry eyes or mouth

The most dangerous complications are double vision and difficulty breathing, but these are thankfully extremely rare.

If you experience any side effects or complications, contact your practitioner immediately.

Who Is Best Injector to Treat Your Frown Lines?

We highly recommend that you only undergo treatment with a medically-qualified professional, who will have undergone training in anatomy and physiology, as well as be accountable to a regulatory body such as the General Medical Council (GMC), Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), or General Dental Council (GDC).

They should also be able to advise you of the risks of injectable treatment and be confident in handling complications in the glabellar area if they arise.

Check out our handy guide for finding a practitioner you can trust.

Booking a Botox Consultation for Your Glabellar Lines

As you will have learnt, botulinum toxin (Botox, Bocouture, Azzalure, Letybo and Nuceiva) is a great tool to help you look younger and fresher. It’s important that you get treated by an experienced, medically trained, and qualified practitioner who will inject you safely.

As always, if you have any questions you can use our Botox Q&A where you can ask for more advice direct from a trusted, experienced medical practitioner.

Not sure Botox treatment is right for you? We have lots of Botox FAQs, Botox videos, Botox reviews, and Botox before and after images for you to do more research if you are not ready to speak to a medically trained Botox injector yet.
 
If you want to look for your nearest accredited and verified Botox clinic, your local Botox clinics are listed below. 

Sk:n Middlesbrough

5 out of 5

From 1 Review(s)

sk:n have a network of 51 nationwide clinics from Aberdeen to Portsmouth, with opening hours up to 9pm and are proud to be home to more leading consultant dermatologists, doctors, plastic surgeons, ...[READ MORE]


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James Cook Univ.hosp, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW

Central London Aesthetics

5 out of 5

From 1 Review(s)

Central London Aesthetics specialises in the use of dermal fillers and muscle relaxing injections to reduce the signs of aging while retaining your natural unique attractive features. All injection ...[READ MORE]


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34 Papyrus Road, Peterborough, PE4 5BH

Sk1n Aesthetics Clinic

Sk1n Aesthetics clinic is a bespoke skin rejuvenation nurse prescriber led service where the individual needs of the client is paramount. A free consultation will assess needs and expectations to ...[READ MORE]


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Yew Cottage, Park Road, Banstead Village, SM7 3BY

Medicetics at Barnsley House

Medicetics has expanded to offer its first clinic outside the greater London area in the Cotswolds. Medicetics will be offering their treatments just outside Cirencester, Gloucestershire at the stunni...[READ MORE]


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Barnsley House Spa And Skincare Centre, Barnsley, Cirencester, GL7 5EE

Sk:n Birmingham Harborne Road

Sk:n have a network of 51 nationwide clinics from Aberdeen to Portsmouth, with opening hours up to 9pm and are proud to be home to more leading consultant dermatologists, doctors, plastic surgeons...[READ MORE]


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32 Harborne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3AA

Dermaperfect Skin Clinic

Dermaperfect Skin Clinic is run by Dr. Penelope Tympanidis. Ideally situated to serve the towns of Loughton, Wandsworth & Enfield, Dermaperfect Skin Clinic specialise in Dermatology and offer treatme...[READ MORE]


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137 Harley Street, Marylebone, London, W1G 6BF

ReWonder Medical Aesthetics

ReWonder Medical Aesthetics is owned and run by nurse Fiona Wondergem MSc, BSc (Hons), RGN, RSCN, PGDip HV, RNT, INP,FHEA Treatments offered include line relaxing injections, hyperhidrosis injections...[READ MORE]


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23 Westgate, Almondbury, Huddersfield, HD5 8XF

Cambridge Clear Beauty

At our Cambridge aesthetic clinic Mr Tariq Ahmad aspires to offer patients the widest array of cosmetic surgery and aesthetic procedures possible, all performed with the highest level of skill and...[READ MORE]


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Unit G South Cambs Business Park, Babraham Road, Sawston, CB22 3JH

Hylagen Newry

5 out of 5

From 1 Review(s)

Hylagen Newry located in Ireland, specialists in Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments. The clinic is ideally situated to serve the whole of Ireland being only 50 minutes from Dublin and 30 minutes fro...[READ MORE]


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Unit B, Itec Business Park, 52 Armagh Road, Newry, BT35 6DN