Age Related Changes to the Frown Lines Area
There are two age-related changes common to the frown lines area, where the use of wrinkle relaxer alone may not be enough for an optimal aesthetic outcome.
It is seen that in some cases the frown lines are the result of strong muscle movement and the habit of keeping frown expression for years. This makes the skin in this region go through a change that is almost structural, with a prominent ‘number eleven’ mark formed in the frown area. This occurs due to the skin thinning with age and repeat movement, creating a profound crease from skin memory.
Even the injectable relaxation of glabellar muscles with multiple wrinkle relaxer treatments may not improve some deeply stubborn frown lines.
The second type of age-related change is bone loss in the glabella, which causes a depression in the glabella, thereby becoming a volume issue. The age-related fat and periocular bone loss (bone around the eyes) is seen earlier in females than males. In females, it starts at around 25 years of age, whereas in males it may not be seen up until around 45 years of age. This results in deepening of the frown lines and the descent of the brows. The use of muscle relaxation injectables in such cases may in turn accentuate the visual volume loss in this area.
Stubborn superficial frown lines in the glabellar region that may not fully respond to wrinkle relaxer treatment, may be treated with soft tissue dermal fillers that are either low cross-linked or thin in their makeup.
Treating Frown Lines with Dermal Filler
The second use of soft tissue filler in the frown lines area is to lift the age-related volume loss, causing a depression in the glabella and a descent in the brows. To address this gravitational outcome, a special technique is used to minimise the risk factors associated with inflating the area. A detailed knowledge of the underlying neurovascular anatomy is essential for an effective and safe treatment. The treatment itself involves the dermal filler being placed deep in the subgalea zone; and post treatment massage may be used to evenly spread out the filler.
The overall rejuvenation of the frown lines area is most commonly addressed using wrinkle relaxer injectable treatments alone. If routine wrinkle relaxer treatments to the frown area is not achieving desired results, or if one finds that wrinkle relaxer treatments to this area is not being as effective as it used to be, then a consultation with a Cosmetic Doctor is advisable to assess the feasibility and suitability of using soft tissue fillers in this region. This may be used as a superficial treatment solution to address skin creases or a deeper filler technique may be undertaken to lift the appearance of volume loss.
It is important to understand that the volume loss in the glabellar region causing the worsening of the frown lines is usually extended into the forehead area. This makes it vital to treat both areas at the same time to achieve an optimal aesthetic outcome. Such a treatment would need a thorough assessment and discussion at the pre-treatment consultation with our experienced Cosmetic Doctors at Pavilion Cosmetic Medicine.
The use of soft tissue dermal fillers in the frown lines area is a high-risk treatment due to the underlying vasculature nature of the frown area. The supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries run directly under and around the area being treated. For this reason, it is recommended to see experienced Cosmetic Doctor who has a broad understanding the anatomy and who has confidence in treating high risk zones. The risk factors will be discussed at length with the patient before the treatment, with the safety measures explained and aftercare protocols emphasised. At Pavilion Cosmetic Medicine, our patients have access to the clinic during office hours and to our clinicians in after-hours also, to assist with any issues or concerns raised by our patients.
Eyebrow Lift with Dermal Filler (minimally-invasive and non-surgical)
Results at a glance
Frown Lines Filler | Treatment and Downtime Considerations
The lines are treated individually by using very fine needles and the product is injected into the skin creases itself. This may cause some lumpiness, and if this occurs, it may take a few days for the filler to settle down.
Bruising in this area is common due to the multiple fine needle injections used. The bruising, however, does not last for more than a few days. This treatment has the aim of mechanically plumping the frown lines, but also, we expect the Hyaluronic Acid based filler to stimulate collagen in this area to thicken the skin. Typically, 2-3 session are required for optimal results, with 4 weeks between treatment sessions.
Our Cosmetic Doctors at Pavilion Cosmetic Medicine are experienced in this area and take the required precautions to deliver a safe and desirable result. It is important to mention here that there are risks associated with this dermal filler procedures, and for this reason, a detailed cosmetic consultation with education around the risk factors and aftercare factors is a priority for our Cosmetic Physicians.
“If wrinkles must be written upon our brows, let them not be written upon the heart. The spirit should never grow old.”
~ John Kenneth Galbraith
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is dermal filler treatment for frown lines a safe option?
Dermal filler treatment to the frown lines area remains a treatment with a high satisfaction rate, however the treatment also carries a high risk profile.
The primary reason for this is due to the underlying vasculature and individual variations in the anatomy. The injection techniques of the cosmetic practitioner are advanced and specialised to minimise the risk factors. The experience of your treating practitioner, paired with their detailed understanding of the anatomy plays a crucially important role in the treatment care and outcome.
The development of refined and evidence-based techniques by your practitioner over years has made this treatment popular with our experienced Cosmetic Physicians. Upon the Patient-Doctor consultation, a detailed assessment is undertaken to identify suitability for glabellar dermal filler, to treat the frown.
With the treatment itself, aftercare education and instructions around the post-treatment recovery are steps of great importance in order to identify possible complications, which need to be reported by the patient to the treating practitioner in a timely manner in order to be addressed without delay.
Do many patients have this frown lines filler treatment?
Yes. At Pavilion Cosmetic Medicine the filler treatment for the frown lines area is performed routinely. However, not everyone can benefit from this treatment, and most cases, patients will only need the routine wrinkle relaxer treatment to address their frown lines.
Is there any down time associated with dermal filler treatment to the frown?
There is some swelling and bruising possible post treatment, which may last for 2-3 days. The bruising can be camouflaged with cosmetic concealer after 24 hours after the treatment. The swelling or lumpiness seen post treatment may take a few days to settle. In the consultation, on the day of treatment, and in our post care instructions, our Cosmetic Doctor will explain in detail the massage techniques needed to minimise the lumpiness, if this occurs.
Is there any pain associated with dermal filler treatment to the frown area?
There is minimal discomfort associated with dermal filler treatment to the glabellar, to treat the frown area. Several measures are taken into consideration by our Cosmetic Doctor and auxiliary clinical team to ensure the treatment as comfortable as possible for the patient. This involves the application of topical numbing agent for a period prior to the treatment being performed.
After having dermal filler to the frown lines area, can one still have ongoing wrinkle relaxer treatments?
Yes. The filler is used to either address the skin thinning and collagen loss in the frown lines or the volume deficit. The wrinkle relaxer treatment is always the first line of treatment to address the frown lines. Not only that one can have the wrinkle relaxer treatment post filler in the frown lines area, but it may be important to maintain the effect of the filler. When addressing the volume loss in the frown lines region, some practitioners prefer to achieve less movement in the Glabella, so the filler settles in better. This is achieved by using wrinkle relaxer treatment in the frown lines area 4 weeks prior to the dermal filler treatment.
How often is treatment using dermal filler to the frown lines area needed?
The filler treatment for rejuvenating the glabellar region in the deeper planes is usually a single session that may last for up to 12-18 months based on individual circumstances. The superficial filler treatment for frown lines usually requires 2-3 sessions spaced apart at 4 weeks intervals and may need a booster treatment every 8-12 months. Having a good skin care routine helps maintain the treatment outcome for longer periods of time.
How much does this treatment cost?
Dermal filler treatment to the frown lines area starts from $770. See table below for our per mL pricing.
Dermal Filler Price Guide
Volume of Dermal Filler (HA) | Total Cost including GST |
|---|---|
| 1 mL in one [1] treatment session | $770 per mL |
| 2-3 mLs in one [1] treatment session | $700 per mL |
| 4 mL or more mLs in one [1] treatment session | $650 per mL |
| Any 1 of the following areas: Forehead -OR- A-Frame -OR- Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty | $1,100 for 1mL |
For a tailored treatment plan and a fixed cost quote for your procedure, book a Doctor Consultation or treatment session with one of our Cosmetic Doctor Practitioners
Interested in Dermal Filler Treatment to the Frown Lines by Cosmetic Doctor?
We welcome you to Pavilion Cosmetic Medicine Sydney for a consultation and treatment session with our cosmetic doctor, who'll tailor a treatment plan specific to your concerns and desires.