Botox

Upper face

A softer frown, a more relaxed look

Frown lines Botox in Hale, Altrincham

Frown lines Botox softens the wrinkles between your eyebrows, helping the centre of your face look smoother and your expression less stern.

You can be perfectly happy and still look as though something has annoyed you. Sometimes it's the lines between your eyebrows doing the talking, especially when you're concentrating or looking at a screen.

Frown lines Botox reduces the muscle movement that draws your brows together, making those vertical lines less obvious. You might want a little softening or a more noticeable smoothing effect. Dr Alex will look at your frown, listen to what you'd like to change and explain what treatment could achieve for you.

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Dr Alex trains medical professionals in botulinum toxin and is an international key opinion leader for Evolus, the company behind Nuceiva.

Book a consultation Learn more
Treatment costs
£200
First changes
Usually within a week
Fuller result
Around 2-4 weeks
Typical duration
Around 3-4 months

The lines between your brows

Does your frown seem to stay put?

Perhaps you've noticed it in photographs, or caught your reflection while working. The same small area can bother people for quite different reasons.

You look more serious than you feel

Your brows pull together when you concentrate, and the crease can make you look cross. You'd like a more relaxed appearance without having to keep checking what your forehead is doing.

Your 11 lines are getting deeper

Two vertical lines, one stronger crease or a less tidy pattern - frown lines don't all look the same. Yours have become more noticeable, and you'd like to soften them.

The crease remains when you relax

The movement stops, but a mark is still there. Dr Alex can assess how much is caused by repeated frowning and how much is now a line in the skin itself.

The details you need

Frown line treatment at a glance

Treatment works gradually. Recovery is usually quick; allow time for the result to develop before judging it.

Treatment costs
£200
For the frown-line area. Consultation is £75; any additional areas are agreed separately.
First changes
Usually within a week
The frown starts to soften as the treatment takes effect.
Fuller result
Around 2-4 weeks
Early changes are not necessarily the finished result.
Typical duration
Around 3-4 months
Movement gradually returns; how long the smoothing lasts varies.
Recovery
Usually minimal downtime
Small bumps, redness or bruising can occur, so leave some flexibility before an important event.

What treatment can change

Less of a crease between your eyebrows

The most direct change is a softer frown: the muscles pull less strongly, so the skin folds less deeply.

As treatment develops, the lines can look less obvious when you concentrate or frown. If they contribute to a stern appearance, softening them can make your expression look more relaxed.

The degree of smoothing is something to discuss, rather than a decision made for you. Some patients prefer to keep more movement; others want a stronger effect. Dr Alex will explain what is appropriate for your face.

A line that remains at rest may soften too, but a deeply etched crease can remain even when the movement has reduced. That's something to bear in mind when comparing your result with what you hoped for. The aim is an improvement you can see, with a realistic idea of how much the skin itself can change.

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Less obvious vertical frown lines

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Less creasing when your brows draw together

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A more relaxed-looking central brow

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Potential softening of some lines visible at rest

Is it right for your frown?

Start with the crease you want to soften

Dr Alex will look at your face while you're frowning and while it's relaxed. Both help show what treatment is likely to change.

Lines that deepen with expression
Wrinkles that become stronger as you draw your eyebrows together are the main target. Treatment reduces that repeated folding rather than adding volume beneath the line.
A line that has started to linger
You may still benefit if some of the crease remains at rest. Dr Alex will explain whether muscle relaxation is likely to give enough improvement or whether the skin also needs attention.
A result you want to adjust
If you've had toxin before, explain what you liked and what you didn't. More smoothing, less movement or a gentler effect can be discussed alongside the response you had previously.

When a crease is deeply set

Botox may soften a deep line without erasing it

Reducing movement doesn't automatically remove a groove already present in the skin. Dr Alex may recommend treating the frown first and assessing what remains, or discussing a skin treatment where appropriate. Filler between the brows has particular risks and isn't an automatic next step for a stubborn line.

Why the skin creases

Relaxing the pull behind the frown

Small muscles between and above your eyebrows draw the brows together and down. Repeated movement folds the overlying skin.

Botulinum toxin temporarily reduces the nerve signals telling the treated muscles to contract. With less pull, the skin creases less strongly. It doesn't fill the wrinkle or add bulk to your forehead.

The frown area is also called the glabella, and the vertical wrinkles are often called 11 lines. They are different from the horizontal forehead lines that appear when you raise your eyebrows. Dr Alex assesses the nearby brow movement as well, even when the frown is the only area you want treated.

Your visit

A look at your frown, then a plan

You can explain the change you want without knowing which muscles or treatment areas are involved. That is what the assessment is for.

Consultation

Show Dr Alex what bothers you

Frown, relax and point out the line you notice most. Dr Alex will review your medical history, previous toxin treatments and preferences, then explain the likely improvement and cost.
Before treatment

Decide how much softening you want

Talk through a lighter or stronger effect and ask any questions. Treatment may be possible at the consultation if you're suitable and the appointment allows; you can also book it for another day.
The injections

A few brief pinpricks

Small injections are placed into the muscles responsible for your frown. They can sting briefly. Let Dr Alex know if you're nervous about needles so he can help you feel comfortable and pause when needed.
Afterwards

Let the result develop

You'll receive aftercare advice and details of how to arrange a review. Movement changes over the following days, with the fuller effect developing over the next few weeks.

Toxin teaching and clinical experience

Why choose Dr Alex for frown lines?

Dr Alex teaches doctors, dentists and nurses in aesthetic medicine, including botulinum toxin. He is an international key opinion leader and advocate for Evolus, the company behind Nuceiva, and has presented toxin-related education at BCAM and Aesthetic Medicine North.

Before treating your frown, Dr Alex looks at how your brows move and which lines remain when your face is relaxed. He can then discuss how much softening is likely and whether that matches the result you want.

You can bring details of previous treatment or photographs showing the result you liked. Dr Alex will use that history to discuss your next treatment, rather than assuming everyone wants the same finish.

GMC-registered doctor · 7072776

Full Member of BCAM

International toxin trainer

Aesthetics Awards winner 2021

Side effects and recovery

What should you know before treatment?

Small bumps, tenderness, redness or bruising can follow the injections. A headache can also occur. Most early effects are temporary.

Possible side effects

An uneven result, a feeling of heaviness or an unwanted change in brow position can occur. A drooping eyelid is another recognised complication. Dr Alex will discuss these in relation to your existing brow and eyelid position.

Toxin can occasionally affect muscles beyond those intended, and serious allergic reactions or wider muscle weakness are possible. The medical-history check and treatment plan help assess suitability, but they cannot remove every risk.

When to ask for help

Contact the clinic for a new drooping lid, marked asymmetry, eye symptoms or anything that worries you. Seek urgent medical care for difficulty swallowing or speaking, or widespread weakness. Call 999 for breathing difficulty or signs of a severe allergic reaction.

When treatment should wait

Cosmetic toxin treatment is not appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or through an active infection at the injection site. Tell Dr Alex about nerve or muscle conditions, previous reactions, all medicines and any recent botulinum toxin treatment elsewhere.

You can take time to decide after the consultation.

Treatment costs

The cost of treating your frown

Frown-line treatment counts as one area and costs £200. Two areas cost £280, three £350 and four £430. Dr Alex will confirm your plan before treatment.

1 area
£200per agreed appointment
2 areas
£280per agreed appointment
3 areas
£350per agreed appointment
4 areas
£430per agreed appointment
Dr Alex will confirm which areas are included before treatment. Forehead and frown lines count as two areas when treated together.
A consultation with Dr Alex costs £75. If you choose to have treatment within 3 months of your consultation, you can put this fee towards it, including at a later appointment. It cannot be used towards skincare products. If you decide not to have treatment, the fee covers your consultation.
Book a consultation
Consultation is £75. The clinic will explain the charges for your appointment and any proposed follow-up before treatment.

More about frown lines

Questions about Botox for 11 lines

The terms can be confusing. Here's how the frown area differs from the forehead, and what that means for treatment.

Are frown lines, glabella lines and 11 lines the same thing?
They usually describe the same central area between the eyebrows. '11 lines' refers to the familiar pair of vertical wrinkles, but you may have one stronger crease or a different pattern. Dr Alex treats the movement he sees rather than expecting every frown to look identical.
Is frown-line Botox the same as forehead Botox?
No. Frown-line treatment targets the muscles that draw the eyebrows together. Forehead treatment addresses horizontal lines produced when you raise your eyebrows. The areas influence brow movement differently, so they are assessed together even if you only want one treated.
Can Botox get rid of a deep frown line?
It can reduce the repeated creasing and may soften the line at rest. A deep groove may not disappear. Dr Alex will look at both the muscle movement and the skin before estimating the improvement; once the toxin has taken effect, it is easier to judge any remaining crease.
Will I still be able to frown?
Some movement may remain, depending on the treatment and your response. Tell Dr Alex whether you want gentle softening or a stronger smoothing effect. He'll explain how that preference fits your face rather than automatically aiming for either complete stillness or the lightest possible treatment.
When will I notice a difference?
Changes usually begin within the first week and continue to develop. Allow around two to four weeks to judge the fuller result. A small early difference does not necessarily mean you need more treatment.
How long does frown-line Botox last?
A useful guide is around three to four months, with movement returning gradually. Your response and the product used affect the duration. Dr Alex will advise when to consider another treatment; you don't need to repeat it simply because a date has arrived.
Can treating my frown change my eyebrow position?
It can, because the frown muscles contribute to the pull on the brows. The direction and amount of change depend on the rest of your muscle activity and anatomy. Dr Alex will assess that before treatment. This is not a promise of a brow lift.
Do I need filler as well?
Often, reducing the frown movement is the starting point. A remaining skin crease does not automatically mean filler is the right answer. The area between the brows carries particular injection risks, including risks to vision, so any discussion of filler needs a separate assessment.
Can I return to work afterwards?
Usually. Small marks, bumps or a bruise may be visible, so it is sensible to leave some time before a big event. Follow the aftercare instructions you receive about exercise, touching the area and your usual routine.
Does stopping treatment make frown lines worse?
As the effect wears off, muscle movement and the associated creasing return. Your skin also continues to age over time. Treatment is temporary, and having it once does not commit you to keeping it up.

Related treatments

Other lines may need a different approach

Forehead Botox treats horizontal forehead wrinkles, while crow's feet treatment addresses the lines beside the eyes. If a fixed skin crease is the main concern, Dr Alex can also discuss appropriate skin treatments.

Forehead Botox in Hale, Altrincham

Make forehead lines less noticeable with a plan that considers your movement, skin and the change you want. Treatment is with Dr Alex.

Talk it through with Dr Alex

Let your expression look a little more relaxed

If the lines between your brows are the first thing you notice, bring them to a consultation at SONÜ in Hale, Altrincham. Dr Alex will assess your frown, discuss the finish you prefer and explain what improvement you can expect.

Book a consultation Contact the clinic
SONÜ Medical Aesthetics

34 Hale Road, Hale, Altrincham, WA14 2EX

Doctor-led treatment in a relaxed, private clinic

Close to Hale station and easy to reach from Altrincham, Manchester and Cheshire