Frown lines (the "11s") explained

The two vertical lines that appear between the eyebrows are often nicknamed the 11s. Many people tell us they look stern, worried or tired in photos because of them. Often they are none of those things. It is simply how the muscles in that area have shaped the skin over the years.

What causes frown lines

A small group of muscles sits between and just above the brows. The main ones are the corrugator muscles and the procerus. Together they pull the brows down and inwards.

We use these muscles when we concentrate, squint in bright light, read small print, feel worried or frown. Most of us do this many times a day without noticing.

Each time the muscles contract, the skin between the brows folds. Over time and as the skin loses some of its collagen, those folds can become lines that stay visible even when your face is relaxed.

Things that can make them deeper

• Squinting in sunlight without sunglasses
• Long hours looking at screens
• Uncorrected eyesight
• Sun damage and smoking
• Strong natural muscle activity

How anti-wrinkle treatment can help

Anti-wrinkle injections relax the muscles that pull the brows together. When they cannot contract as strongly, the skin between the brows is not folded as often. The lines look softer and the area often looks smoother and more open.

Many people say they look calmer and less tense afterwards. Friends may simply comment that they look well rested.

Frown lines respond well to treatment for most people. Very deep lines that have been there for many years may not disappear fully at first. These often soften more over a series of treatments as the skin gets a break from constant folding.

What the treatment involves

The frown area is usually treated with a small number of injections across the muscles between and just above the brows. The appointment is quick and most people find it very manageable.

The effect starts to show after two to five days and is usually fully settled by around two weeks. A free review appointment is included at around two weeks to check how you have responded. For most people results last around three to four months.

Side effects to be aware of

Common side effects include redness, small bumps at the injection points, mild bruising and a short-lived headache. Less commonly, the medicine can spread to a nearby muscle and cause a temporary droop of the upper eyelid. This is uncommon and wears off over a few weeks. Careful technique and following aftercare advice help reduce the risk.

Treating frown lines with other areas

Frown lines are often treated alongside the forehead. Because the frown muscles pull the brows down and the forehead muscle lifts them, treating both together can help keep the brows balanced. Your consultation will cover what makes sense for your face.

Anti-wrinkle injections are a prescription-only medicine. Whether they are right for you is always decided at a face-to-face consultation with a prescriber, who will look at your medical history and your face before anything is agreed.

If frown lines are something you would like to talk about, Lucy offers a free 15-minute consultation in Addlestone where you can ask anything at all.