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. 

River Aesthetics Dorset

Award-winning advanced aesthetic doctors, global trainers, international speakers, and former general practitioners; Dr. Charlotte Woodward and Dr. Victoria Manning specialise in non-surgical treatm...[READ MORE]


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Unit 1, The Old Sorting Office, 5 Albert Road, Bournemouth, BH1 1AX

Medstar Kings Cross

5 out of 5

From 5 Review(s)

Meet with our fully registered GPs and Consultants, who are vetted with a full background check, reference check and interview with our managing Doctors and selected for their highest levels of ex...[READ MORE]


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340 Grays Inn Rd, London, WC1X 8BG

Health and Aesthetic Clinic

5 out of 5

From 3 Review(s)

Cosmetic Medicine & Skin Care Clinic in Royal Borough Of Greenwich & is ideally situated to serve the towns of Blackheath, Lewisham, Bromley, Bexley & Sidcup. Experienced doctors provide Dermal ...[READ MORE]


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374 Shooters Hill Road, Woolwich, SE18 4LS

Emma Lee Aesthetics

5 out of 5

From 5 Review(s)

Emma Lee aesthetics clinic is a Nurse led treatment service for those wishing to improve their appearance naturally without the need of surgery. [READ MORE]


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33 Caledon Road, Poole, BH149

Vie Aesthetics - Harley Street

5 out of 5

From 918 Review(s)

Multi-award winning, doctor-led medical aesthetic clinics in London and Essex. We offer a wide range of medical and non-surgical cosmetic solutions under one roof. Partners of the National Medica...[READ MORE]


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2 Harley Street, Marylebone, London, W1G 9PA

The Ailesbury Clinic

The Ailesbury Clinic in Dublin run by Dr Patrick Treacy, and Nurse Lorraine Delaney offer a wide range of cosmetic treatments, including laser skin resurfacing. The clinic is conveniently located on ...[READ MORE]


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David Lloyd Riverview, Beech Hill Rd. Clonskeagh, Dublin, DUBLIN 4

Aluminate Clinic

5 out of 5

From 10 Review(s)

I am a registered Nurse Prescriber and have a passion for delivering natural looking enhancements that do not leave you looking false, frozen or overdone. Multi-award winning clinic based Oswestry.[READ MORE]


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12A Salop road,, Oswestry, SY11 2NU

Harley Street Clinic Harpenden

5 out of 5

From 2 Review(s)

At Harley Street Clinic Surrey & Harpenden you will experience a personalised approach to help you achieve your goals.[READ MORE]


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103 Luton Rd, Harpenden, AL5 3BB

Blemish Clinic

5 out of 5

From 9 Review(s)

We are the North West's longest established skin care and aesthetic clinic, based in Edenfield, Ramsbottom. From Acne and scar treatments to weight loss and medically proven anti ageing treatments Ble...[READ MORE]


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40 Market Street, Edenfield, Ramsbottom, BL0 0JN