A Botox alternative – is there one for frown lines?

Dr. Irwin
May 16, 2013
I'm in Ontario... what would you recommend to diminish the frown line between my brows... I don't really want to go the Botox route.

Dear Readers, we have to be realistic!! Since forehead frown lines are caused by an overactive muscle (the corrugator), the most reliable, less expensive and best option is to relax that muscle with a small amount of Botox/Dysport. You don’t have to overdo it and over relax or “freeze” the forehead. It’s safety record is far superior to anything else for that problem. No cream or patch currently available is effective.   

 

Some expert, board certified dermatologists or plastic surgeons will put a small amount of hyaluronic acid filler (like Juvederm/Restylane) there, but it is dangerous to do that if the injector isn’t an expert because an artery runs right under that area.

 

If the injector should accidentally plug that artery, and not recognize it,  it can cause permanent disfigurement and scarring. An expert injector knows what to look for when injecting there and has all the tools immediately on hand to fix the problem should it occur.   

 

Dr. B I

 

Learn more about alternatives to Botox and Lasers. 

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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