Some think they're cute – just like a bunny – others feel really self-conscious about them!
If the 'Bunny Lines' or 'Bunny Wrinkles' you get when you scrunch up your nose when doing certain facial expressions bother you, have you considered Botox?
Bunny Lines appear at the top of your nose; usually when you scrunch it when you smile. Bunny lines are most commonly seen in people over the age of 50 but can occur at any age due to the weakening of facial muscles caused by natural repeated facial movements.
Bunny lines (or any facial expression lines) form when your nose muscle (the nasalis) has been overworked. This is a natural part of ageing, which occurs after repeated facial expressions over time.
Yes, you can use Botox to get rid of bunny lines. In fact, Botox treatment reduces the appearance of any other lines and fine wrinkles you may have, including forehead wrinkles, frown lines and crow's feet (the expression lines around your eyes caused by repeated facial movement).
Botox is a brand name for botulinum toxin. Other brands available in the UK include Bocouture and Azzalure. The products work by temporarily paralysing injected muscles so they can't contract. This allows them to relax and smooth out wrinkles that were previously caused by these contracted muscles.
The effects of Botox are temporary; after a few months, your skin will return to its previous state once more. However, many people find that their first round of cosmetic treatments makes a significant difference to their expression.
Botulinum toxin is not recommended for people under 18.
You can have treatment before Bunny Lines start to form, to prevent them from doing so in future, and if you can already see them.
If someone has already developed deep wrinkles after the age of 18, it's possible that botulinum toxin will have a limited effect on their appearance.
Botulinum toxin is injected into the nasalis muscle to treat Bunny Lines.
Botulinum toxin injections are quick and relatively painless. Some practitioners will use ice or lidocaine to numb the area before injecting and most people say they just feel a little 'prick' when the product is injected into their skin.
Treatment is quick; you'll be done in less than an hour.
When applied correctly, you will still be able to smile and display most normal facial expressions like wrinkling your nose up; just with less severe wrinkles.
The best part about getting Botox is that it is well-tolerated by most people.
Botox for Bunny Lines generally costs between £100-£300 per visit.
It's important to note that results aren't permanent; you will need treatment every three to six months to keep wrinkles at bay.
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.
If you want the best and safest results, always look for an experienced medical practitioner.
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 if they arise.
Check out our handy guide for finding a practitioner you can trust.
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.
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