Wrinkles on the forehead most commonly appear in two ways: As vertical lines just above the nose, often referred to as “the elevens”; or horizontal rows across the forehead. The “elevens”, or glabellar lines, result from squinting, scowling, worrying or just plain thinking. The horizontal lines may result from normal animation while talking, or from holding the brows up with the primary muscle of the forehead (the frontalis) during times of stress, or just naturally. These lines are primarily the result of continual muscle contraction and can become very deep over time.

The goal of treating the forehead is to maintain some movement, giving a natural, but relaxed appearance. Most physicians treat forehead rows with a wrinkle relaxer. In the United States, the only FDA-approved wrinkle relaxer is BOTOX^® Cosmetic . Properly injected into specific muscles, BOTOX^® will lessen the movement of the chosen muscles preventing excessive movement. This causes the wrinkles to relax, and in many cases disappear entirely for a period of time.

BOTOX^® Cosmetic treatments actually train the muscles (and the individual using those muscles) to become less animated over time, allowing some enduring effect. Most patients use BOTOX^® less frequently and/or in smaller doses over time because the wrinkles soften and become less visible, as exaggerated movement diminishes. Initially, you can expect treatments every 3 – 4 months to maintain the desired result. The goal is to eventually need treatment only every six months or so. This requires that you maintain the BOTOX^® between treatments, never letting the movement completely return.

The frown or ‘11’ lines above the nose (called glabellar lines) are typically treated with either BOTOX^® Cosmetic or dermal fillers, or a combination of both. Treatment options will depend upon the severity of the condition. Some patients have lines so deep that they require a dermal filler to get the maximum effect. This is usually achieved with Restylane or JUVEDERM^®. Typically, the frown lines can be virtually eliminated with one of these non-surgical procedures, although maintenance treatments are generally required. Frequency of maintenance treatments will depend upon your treatment regimen and your body’s individual response to the treatment regimen, as well as the severity of your condition.

For optimal results and to maximize longevity, the administration of BOTOX^® in the forehead requires a good understanding of facial muscular/skeletal positioning and interaction, as well as an in depth understanding of the subtleties of injection location, depth and dilution techniques.

An experienced physician is much more likely to keep you from having a bad BOTOX^® experience like a drooping eyebrow or exaggerated, uneven eyebrows or unnatural looking forehead movement.

Dr. Hardt is among the leaders in performing cosmetic BOTOX^® procedures and dermal filler treatments in the U.S. To see how Rejuvena can help you reveal your natural beauty, email or call us at (405) 842-1100 for a free, confidential consultation.