Frown wrinkles—also known as glabellar lines or “11 lines”—are the vertical creases that form between the eyebrows when frowning, concentrating, or squinting. Over time, repeated muscle contraction causes these lines to become permanently etched into the skin, often giving a tired, angry, or stressed appearance even at rest.

At Dr Kynan Aesthetics on the Gold Coast, frown wrinkles are treated using carefully placed neuromodulators such as Botox, with an emphasis on natural expression, facial balance, and brow support.

Muscles Involved in Frown Wrinkles

Frown lines are produced by a coordinated action of the glabellar muscle complex, primarily:

• Corrugator supercilii – pulls the eyebrows inward and downward

• Procerus – pulls the central brow downward, contributing to horizontal nasal root lines

• Depressor supercilii – assists in brow depression (variable anatomy)

Targeting these muscles reduces the force of brow depression while allowing the opposing frontalis muscle to elevate the brows more effectively.

Benefits of Botox for Frown Wrinkles

Botox treatment of the glabellar region offers both aesthetic and functional benefits, including:

• Softening or elimination of vertical frown lines

• A more relaxed, approachable facial expression

• Prevention of deeper wrinkle formation over time

• Reduced tension and habitual frowning

• Subtle brow lift effect by unopposed frontalis activity, helping open the eyes and refresh the upper face

When performed correctly, treatment can enhance brow position without creating heaviness or unnatural stiffness.

Risks and Considerations

Botox for frown wrinkles is a safe and well-established treatment when performed by an experienced medical injector. However, as with any medical procedure, potential risks include:

• Temporary bruising or swelling at injection sites

• Headache or pressure sensation

• Mild asymmetry during the settling phase

• Brow or eyelid heaviness (ptosis) if toxin migrates or dosing is excessive

Careful assessment of anatomy, conservative dosing, and precise injection technique significantly reduce these risks.

Why Choose Dr Kynan on the Gold Coast?

As a medical doctor with extensive procedural experience, Dr Kynan takes a precision-based approach to neuromodulator treatments. Each treatment plan is tailored to your facial anatomy, muscle strength, and aesthetic goals, with a strong emphasis on natural movement and long-term outcomes.

If you are considering Botox for frown wrinkles on the Gold Coast, a personalised consultation will determine the safest and most effective approach for you.

For Injectors: Glabellar (Frown Line) Neuromodulator Technique

Treatment of the glabellar complex requires precise anatomical understanding and conservative lateral boundaries to achieve effective relaxation while preserving brow position. At Dr Kynan Aesthetics on the Gold Coast, a structured 7-point injection pattern is preferred for predictable outcomes and risk mitigation.

Injection Pattern and Anatomical Boundaries

The injection sequence progresses from deep to superficial:

• Procerus: injected deeply, approaching periosteal depth, as this muscle originates from the nasal bone and is responsible for vertical and transverse contraction at the nasal root.

• Corrugator supercilii: treated more superficially as the muscle ascends laterally and inserts into the dermis of the medial brow.

Laterally, injections should terminate approximately 2–3 mm medial to the vertical line of the pupil when projected superiorly. Extending beyond this point introduces several avoidable risks:

1. Inadvertent frontalis involvement, increasing the likelihood of brow heaviness or frank brow ptosis.

2. Deep diffusion toward the levator palpebrae superioris, raising the risk of upper eyelid ptosis—one of the most clinically significant complications of glabellar treatment.

3. Inefficient product use, as the glabellar depressor complex does have significant added strength on the frown as it extends further laterally, providing no additional therapeutic benefit.

Strict respect of these lateral limits is essential, particularly in patients with pre-existing brow ptosis or borderline levator function.

Dosing Considerations

Total dose requirements vary with muscle mass, sex, and habitual contraction strength. As a general guide:

• Female patients: approximately 16 units total

• Male patients: approximately 19 units total

Dr Kynan advocates a conservative initial dosing strategy, with refinement at review rather than aggressive primary treatment. This approach reduces complication rates while maintaining high patient satisfaction.

Clinical Perspective

Precision in glabellar neuromodulator injection not only improves aesthetic outcomes but also supports a secondary brow-elevating effect through reduced depressor dominance. Mastery of depth, lateral boundaries, and dosing is fundamental to safe, reproducible results.

Frown Lines (Glabellar)