Filler

Upper face

Set-in frown lines

Glabellar filler in Hale, Altrincham

Glabellar filler can soften a persistent groove between the eyebrows, helping your face look less stern when you are not actually frowning.

You're not cross. The line between your eyebrows just hasn't got the message.

Perhaps it's one deep crease, or a pair of '11s' that remain even when your face is completely relaxed. You may already have tried Botox and still see an indentation in the skin.

For some persistent grooves, filler can soften the line itself. Dr Alex will examine your brow at rest and in motion, discuss what you've tried, and explain whether filler or another treatment is the best way to improve it.

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Dr Alex teaches dermal filler treatments to doctors, dentists and nurses. Your consultation includes his assessment of the options for this particular line.

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Treatment cost
£400
First changes
Visible straight away
Recovery
Marks or bruising possible
Duration
Depends on the treatment

The line that stays

Looking as though you are frowning when you are not

A set-in groove can leave a visible frown on an otherwise relaxed face.

The crease is there at rest

Even with your forehead relaxed, a line remains between your brows. You'd like that indentation to stand out less so the area looks smoother.

Botox has helped, but a groove remains

You frown less strongly after treatment, yet you can still see where the skin used to fold. You'd like to know whether anything can improve the line that's left.

Your expression looks more stern than you feel

A deep line or pair of 11s can make your resting expression look tense. Softening the groove may help you look more relaxed without trying to change the shape of your face.

The practical details

Glabellar filler at a glance

This is treatment for selected persistent frown-line grooves, following an assessment of the benefit, alternatives and risks.

Treatment cost
£400
The proposed treatment and cost are confirmed at consultation.
First changes
Visible straight away
Supporting an indentation changes its appearance directly. The settled result is assessed later.
Recovery
Marks or bruising possible
Tenderness and swelling can occur. You will receive aftercare and advice on symptoms needing urgent attention.
Duration
Depends on the treatment
Dr Alex usually quotes 12-18 months for most HA fillers; he'll advise for the product and line treated.
Suitability
Individual assessment
The glabella is a higher-risk filler area. Alternatives are considered before treatment is recommended.

What improvement can look like

A less obvious groove, a less frowning expression

The intended change is a shallower indentation between the brows, so the line draws less attention when your face is relaxed.

A deep groove can cast a narrow shadow that makes it look stronger than the surrounding fine lines. Giving the indentation support may soften that shadow and help the brow area look less tense.

The aim is an improvement in the set-in line. Filler does not switch off the muscles that bring the eyebrows together, and a deeply etched crease may remain visible after treatment. Dr Alex will discuss how much smoothing is realistic for yours.

✓

✓

A shallower crease between the eyebrows

✓

Less shadow within a persistent frown-line groove

✓

A smoother appearance to selected set-in 11 lines

✓

A resting expression that looks less stern

Choosing treatment

Does the remaining line need filler?

A line between the brows can involve muscle movement, a persistent indentation in the tissue, surface skin changes, or a combination.

The line mainly appears when you frown
Botox is usually the more relevant starting point because it reduces the muscle activity creating the crease. Filler isn't a substitute for treating that movement.
An indentation remains after the muscles relax
Filler may be considered for a selected persistent groove. Dr Alex will assess its depth, your skin, previous treatment and whether other options could give a worthwhile improvement with less risk.
The problem is mostly surface wrinkling
Fine etching or broader skin texture may respond better to a skin treatment such as laser. An existing line does not automatically need filling simply because Botox hasn't completely removed it.

A particular consideration here

The glabella carries a higher vascular risk

Blood vessels in this area connect with the circulation supplying the eye. Filler entering a vessel can cause skin damage or permanent sight loss. This is a recognised very high-risk location for filler injection, so the possible improvement needs to justify the risk. Dr Alex may recommend another approach.

How it works

Supporting the groove that movement has left behind

Repeated frowning folds the skin between the eyebrows. Over time, an indentation can remain after the muscles have relaxed.

Botox and filler act on different parts of that process. Botox reduces the muscle contraction; hyaluronic acid filler adds support within the tissue beneath a suitable indentation. Making the groove shallower can reduce the shadow and soften its appearance.

A line may continue to improve after the muscles are treated, so a remaining crease isn't necessarily a reason to add filler straight away. Dr Alex assesses the response and the skin before recommending a next step.

Your appointment

Start with the line and what you have tried

You can have the area assessed without committing to filler treatment.

At consultation

Examine the brow at rest and moving

Dr Alex checks the depth and position of the groove, how strongly you frown and any existing treatment. Tell him when you last had Botox or filler and whether you have had surgery or complications in the area.
Before deciding

Compare the options

You'll discuss the likely improvement from toxin, filler or skin treatment, along with the risks. If filler is proposed, Dr Alex will explain why he considers it appropriate for your particular line and confirm the cost.
At the treatment appointment

Treat if it is appropriate

If filler is appropriate, Dr Alex chooses the approach for your anatomy and the indentation being treated. The HA filler contains lidocaine, and additional numbing can be discussed for comfort.
After treatment

Know when to ask for help

You'll receive aftercare and clear advice on symptoms needing urgent attention. Elective additional filler in the same area is normally considered only after at least a month. A concern should be assessed immediately, not left until a routine review.

Why Dr Alex

Why choose Dr Alex for a set-in frown line?

A remaining crease needs a decision about the skin, the muscle and whether another injection would improve things enough to be worthwhile. Dr Alex will examine the line and explain the choices, including when he would advise against filler.

He teaches doctors, dentists and nurses across dermal filler ranges and is currently a trainer for Evolus's Estyme filler range. He has also helped launch Estyme and Aliaxin LV in the UK.

He'll also consider how much of the line is still being created by movement. If you've recently had Botox, that response helps him judge whether the groove needs any further treatment.

GMC-registered doctor · 7072776

Full Member of BCAM

International toxin trainer

Aesthetics Awards winner 2021

Risks and suitability

What are the risks of glabellar filler?

Temporary injection marks, bruising, tenderness and swelling can occur. The more serious risks are especially relevant between the eyebrows.

Possible side effects

Filler can block a blood vessel, causing skin damage or permanent sight loss; a stroke is also possible. The glabella is among the facial areas at greatest vascular risk because of its blood supply and connections to the eye.

Other complications include lumps, unevenness, infection, allergic reactions and delayed inflammation. Using an experienced practitioner or a particular injection technique cannot eliminate these risks. HA filler can sometimes be dissolved with hyaluronidase, but this does not guarantee reversal of a vascular complication or restoration of sight.

Symptoms needing urgent action

Call 999 immediately for any vision change, sudden weakness or difficulty speaking, and say you have had facial filler. Unusual or increasing pain, or pale, grey, dusky or mottled skin, also needs urgent assessment: contact SONÜ immediately and seek urgent care if you cannot reach the clinic.

When filler may not be suitable

Active infection, inflamed skin or unresolved problems with previous filler need assessment first. Tell Dr Alex about allergies, medical conditions, medicines, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and previous reactions. He may advise against filler here even if you have safely had it in another area.

You can choose an alternative or decide not to have treatment.

Treatment costs

How much does glabellar filler cost?

Treatment starts from £400 for the first 1 ml. We’ll agree the amount, areas and total cost with you before treatment.

First 1 ml
£400per first 1 ml
Additional 1 ml
£300per additional 1 ml, same appointment
The first 1 ml is £400, with each additional 1 ml at the same appointment priced at £300. If your plan is spread over several visits, each visit is priced separately using these rates. We’ll agree the plan and cost with you first.
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.
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Botox, laser or another treatment may be recommended instead, with its own fee. The consultation is listed separately and does not commit you to having filler.

Your questions

Questions about filler for frown lines

Understanding a persistent groove, the alternatives and the particular risks of this area.

What does glabellar mean?
The glabella is the area between the eyebrows. Glabellar lines are the vertical creases that form there when you frown, often called 11 lines. This treatment is considered for selected grooves that remain visible at rest.
Is frown-line filler the same as Botox?
No. Botox relaxes the muscles that pull the brows together. Filler supports an indentation in the tissue. Muscle treatment is usually considered first when frowning is creating the line; filler is not automatically needed as well.
Why can I still see my 11s after Botox?
Reducing muscle movement doesn't immediately remove a groove that has formed in the skin. It may soften further over time, or need a different approach. Dr Alex can assess the result once the Botox has developed, generally over two weeks, and discuss whether anything else would help.
Can the line be removed completely?
A complete disappearance cannot be promised. The aim is to make a suitable indentation shallower and less obvious. A deep crease or surface etching may remain, even when the underlying support has improved.
Is glabellar filler safe?
It carries particular risk and is not a routine answer to every frown line. Blood vessels here connect with the eye's circulation, and accidental blockage can cause skin injury or permanent sight loss. Dr Alex will discuss alternatives and whether the potential benefit justifies treatment in your case.
Would laser be a better option?
It may be more useful when the main issue is etched-in surface wrinkling or skin texture. It doesn't replace muscle treatment where strong frowning is repeatedly folding the skin. The recommendation depends on what remains visible at rest and what is causing it.
How long would the result last?
That depends on the product, the line and ongoing movement. Dr Alex usually quotes 12-18 months for visible results from most HA fillers, but will discuss the expected duration for the proposed treatment here. Repeat filler is not automatic; the area needs reassessment.
Can the filler be dissolved?
Hyaluronic acid filler can be broken down using hyaluronidase when appropriate. Dissolving is a medical treatment with its own risks, and it is not a guaranteed undo button. In particular, it cannot be relied on to reverse sight loss from a blocked vessel.
Will it raise my eyebrows?
That is not the aim of treating a frown-line groove. If you want a change in brow position or feel the outer brows look heavy, Dr Alex will assess that separately and discuss treatments directed at brow position.
What if I have already had filler there?
Tell Dr Alex what was used, when and whether you had any problems. Existing product, lumps, changes in skin colour or an unexpected contour need assessment before considering more. Previous uneventful treatment does not remove the risk of a future injection.

Your next step

Let's look at the line that's staying put

Book a consultation with Dr Alex at SONÜ in Hale, Altrincham. He can assess the crease between your brows, explain the likely benefit and risks of each option, and help you decide whether further treatment makes sense for you.

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