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. 

Mid Yorkshire Skin Clinic

5 out of 5

From 10 Review(s)

Mid Yorkshire Skin Clinic is a medical cosmetic clinic. Our nurses Dan and Joanne Nixon both work full time in medical aesthetics and have over 30 years nursing experience. They share the knowledge ...[READ MORE]


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70-72 Station Lane, Featherstone, Pontefract, WF7 5BB

Escape Aesthetics

5 out of 5

From 5 Review(s)

Escape Aesthetics based in Bedfordshire is an award-winning family business run by Fully-Qualified Aesthetic Practitioners, mother and daughter duo- Shamem and Aniqah Jamal. [READ MORE]


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14 high street, Toddington , LU5 6by

Nish Clinic

Nish Clinic is a Doctor led medical aesthetic and wellness clinic based in Thorpe bay, Southend -on-Sea , Essex. [READ MORE]


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204 The Broadway, Thorpe Bay, Southend-on-sea, SS1 3EU

DRV Clinic

DRV Clinic by Razvan Vasilas London offers non-invasive and minimally invasive, first-rate personal care services at international standards. We believe that beauty exists in each of us, we want t...[READ MORE]


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89-91 Wardour St, London, W1F 0UB

Metrospa by Dermoperfection Skin Clinic

5 out of 5

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Metro Spa Dermoperfection is an independently owned well known brand within the Aesthetics industry and is delighted to be to be able to introduce to you: MetroSpa.… a selection of luxury spa s...[READ MORE]


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4 Chad Square, Edgbaston, B15 3TQ

The Cosmetic Clinic Kings Lynn

5 out of 5

From 2 Review(s)

Specialists in non-surgical aesthetic procedures ,wrinkle relaxing injections, dermal fillers, threadlifts, laser hair removal, thread veins, acne treatment, aqualyx, sculptra, microdermabrasion, ch...[READ MORE]


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Unit 8, North Lynn Business Village, Bergen Way, North Lynn Industrial Estate, Kings Lynn, PE30 2JG

Aesthetics By Megan

5 out of 5

From 6 Review(s)

Megan is an experienced registered nurse who has worked in aesthetics since November 2017. She has undergone extensive aesthetic training to ensure she is able to bring the latest and safest practic...[READ MORE]


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The Terrace, Grantham Street, Lincoln, LN2 1BD

Sarah Morgan Aesthetics

5 out of 5

From 10 Review(s)

Registered Nurse since 1992, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, UK AWARD WINNING Advanced Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner & Prescriber based in Wirral - All latest flexible appointments on BOOKSY APP [READ MORE]


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Onchan 76 Mill Hill Road, Irby Wirral, CH614XF

Cosmetic Skin Clinic at Rogers Lane

5 out of 5

From 8 Review(s)

The Cosmetic Skin Clinic is a leading aesthetic medical clinic with practices in London and Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire specialising in non-surgical treatments for the face, body and skin. Dr Tracy...[READ MORE]


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84 Rogers Lane, Stoke Poges, SL2 4LF