Frown Lines: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Frown Lines?
A dermatologist, a doctor who treats skin conditions, is the usual specialist for frown lines. A dermatologist can also treat them with botulinum toxin, a medicine that relaxes the facial muscles for a while. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What are frown lines?
Frown lines are lines in the skin between your eyebrows. The area between the eyebrows is called the glabella.
Skin changes are among the most visible signs of aging. Evidence of increasing age includes wrinkles and sagging skin.
Symptoms
The main sign of frown lines is the lines themselves. Other changes that come with aging skin include:
- Skin that looks thinner, paler, and clear.
- Age spots, or "liver spots," in sun-exposed areas.
Causes and who gets it
Skin changes are related to the environment, genes, nutrition, and other factors. The biggest factor is sun exposure.
With aging, the outer skin layer thins. Changes in the connective tissue reduce the skin's strength and elasticity. This change is more noticeable in sun-exposed areas.
Fair-skinned, blue-eyed people show more aging skin changes than people with darker skin.
How doctors diagnose it
Frown lines are lines you can see on the skin. Skin disorders are common in older people, so it is often hard to tell normal changes from a disorder. Your health care provider can tell you if any skin spot is worrisome. If you are interested in botulinum toxin treatment, you should consult a dermatologist.
Treatment
Botulinum toxin therapy is one common treatment for frown lines. A dermatologist injects very small amounts of purified botulinum toxin into targeted muscles on the face or neck. This temporarily relaxes the muscles, so fine lines and wrinkles diminish. The effect lasts about 3 to 4 months, and sometimes longer.
Most people return to everyday activities immediately. After the shots, take these steps so the medicine does not spread to other areas:
- Do not rub or massage the areas where you received the injections.
- Wait two hours before hard exercise, such as lifting heavy items.
Side effects tend to be mild and temporary. After injections, people have had swelling, redness, soreness, and bruising. A mild headache is uncommon. A temporarily droopy brow or eyelid is rare. Signs of botulism, including problems breathing, swallowing, or speaking, are very rare.
Buying botulinum toxin online jeopardizes your health. Injecting a product bought without a medical license can cause serious problems. Cases of long-term muscle paralysis and permanent eye damage have occurred. You should never get these injections at a non-medical spa, party, salon, or someone's home.
Dermal fillers, which are gels injected under the skin, are another option people ask about. The FDA has approved temporary fillers for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and skin folds. But filler in the glabella, the area between the eyebrows, is not an approved use.
If filler goes into a blood vessel by accident, it can cut off blood supply. This can cause tissue death, vision problems including blindness, or stroke. The FDA says to seek a licensed health care provider with experience in dermatology or plastic surgery.
When to see a doctor
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have problems breathing, swallowing, or speaking after botulinum toxin injections. These can be signs of botulism.
Call 911 if you have a severe allergic reaction, vision changes, or signs of a stroke after a filler. The FDA says a severe allergic reaction is a rare risk that needs emergency help right away.
Have a provider look at any skin spot that worries you. Skin cancers are common and usually found in sun-exposed areas.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can look at your skin, talk through your options, and refer you to a dermatologist for cosmetic treatment.
Common questions
What causes frown lines?
Frown lines are wrinkles between the eyebrows. Wrinkles are one sign of aging skin. Sun exposure is the greatest single factor in skin aging. Skin changes are also related to genes, nutrition, and other factors.
How long does botulinum toxin last for frown lines?
It lasts about 3 to 4 months, and sometimes longer. You can have another treatment when the lines return.
Is it safe to get botulinum toxin at a spa or salon?
No. You should never get botulinum toxin shots at a non-medical spa, party, salon, or someone's home. Long-term muscle paralysis and permanent eye damage have occurred.
Are fillers approved for the area between the eyebrows?
No, the FDA does not approve filler in the glabella, the area between the eyebrows. The FDA says these uses are not approved.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Aging changes in skin
- American Academy of Dermatology - Botulinum toxin therapy: FAQs
- FDA - Dermal Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers)
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
