Wrinkles caused by facial expressions develop as a result of the activity of the underlying facial muscles. Expression lines include, in particular, frown lines between the eyebrows, forehead lines and laughter lines (crow’s feet) at the sides of the eyes. They can be treated with botulinum.
How do expression lines develop?
From the day they are born, every person has a certain amount of tension in their muscles, known as muscle tone, which is also present when the body is at rest. The natural movement of the muscles, for example when a person takes on a pensive expression, causes them to move to a greater or lesser degree, briefly forming wrinkles.
The skin is capable of compensating for this pattern of tension and release for a very long time. However, as skin elasticity decreases with age, there comes a point at which these expression-related lines no longer disappear. They become deeper and are visible as wrinkles in the skin even when the facial muscles are relaxed.
How can expression lines be treated?
Wrinkles of this kind, which include frown lines between the eyebrows, horizontal forehead lines and laughter lines, also known as crow’s feet, can be reduced with botulinum.
The active substance is injected directly into the muscle using a very fine needle, where it temporarily reduces the transmission of stimuli from nerve to muscle. The muscle responsible for the line relaxes and the skin becomes smooth again.
Initial results can usually be seen after two or three days. The maximum effect develops five to six weeks after the injection.
