Let’s talk about 11’s

Glabella lines, commonly referred to as 11’s, are vertical lines that appear between your brows and result from muscle contractions. When you concentrate, squint, or frown, the muscles between your brows contract, causing your skin to furrow and fold. 

These lines are considered “dynamic” because they appear when the brow furrows. But as time goes on, with repeated movement, they become deeper and more permanent. These lines can also worsen with sunlight (Squinting! and not wearing sunscreen), smoking, and exposure to pollution.

To soften and reduce the appearance of 11’s, a common treatment is injections with Botox or Dysport. These neurotoxins temporarily paralyze the muscle activity in that area so the skin cannot furrow or fold. With regular injections, about every 3 to 4 months, the lines will continue to relax and become less noticeable.