Why Do Forehead and Glabellar Wrinkles Occur?

Horizontal lines appear on the forehead, while vertical lines (glabellar lines) appear between the eyebrows. The main cause of these lines is the repeated contraction of facial expression muscles.

Main causes:

• Constant eyebrow raising
• Habit of frowning
• Squinting against the sun
• Stress and intense use of facial expressions

Over time, muscle movements leave marks on the skin. As skin elasticity decreases, these marks become more prominent.

What is Botulinum Toxin?

Botulinum toxin is a protein that temporarily reduces the nerve transmission that enables muscle contraction. It is used in controlled and low doses in aesthetic applications.

By reducing the activity of the muscle where it is applied:

• Prevents excessive contraction
• Reduces the appearance of wrinkles
• The aim is not to completely disable the muscle, but to reduce its excessive activity.

In the forehead and glabellar area, the main goal is not to completely disable the muscles, but to weaken them in a controlled manner.

What Does Forehead Botulinum Toxin Do?

Botulinum toxin applied to the forehead provides the following benefits:

• Softening of horizontal forehead lines
• A smoother skin appearance
• Balancing of eyebrow position
• A more rested and calm expression

When performed with the correct dose and technique, the face does not look frozen, and natural expressions are preserved.

What Does Glabellar Botulinum Toxin Do?

Vertical lines between the eyebrows can often give a person a harsh, angry, or tired expression.

Botulinum toxin applied to this area:

• Reduces frown lines
• Provides a softer facial expression
• Prevents deepening caused by facial expressions

Glabellar application is usually planned together with forehead application. Because these muscle groups work together and balance is important.

Why Are Forehead and Glabellar Applied Together?

The forehead muscles (frontalis) and the muscles between the eyebrows (corrugator and procerus) are functionally connected. Treating only one area may lead to undesirable eyebrow positions.

For this reason, most of the time:

• Forehead
• Between the eyebrows

are evaluated together and balanced dose planning is made.

The aim:

• To preserve a natural appearance
• To prevent eyebrow drooping
• To achieve a symmetrical result

How is Forehead and Glabellar Botulinum Toxin Applied?

The application is performed in a clinical setting by a specialist physician.

Procedure steps:

• Facial expression analysis is performed
• Muscle activity is evaluated
• Application points are determined
• Botulinum toxin is injected into the muscle with fine needles

The procedure takes approximately 10–15 minutes.

Anesthesia is usually not required. A slight stinging sensation may occur.

Post-Procedure Process

After botulinum toxin application, the patient can immediately return to daily life. However, some rules should be followed:

• Do not lie down for the first 4 hours
• Do not massage the application area
• Avoid intense exercise for the first 24 hours

These precautions help the toxin act correctly in the target muscle group.

When Does the Effect Start?

The effect of botulinum toxin is not immediate.

Typically:

• A decrease in muscle activity begins within 3–5 days
• Full effect appears within 10–14 days

Lines soften over time and the face appears more rested.

How Long Does the Effect Last?

The effect of forehead and glabellar botulinum toxin application lasts on average:

• 4–6 months

Muscle strength, facial expression habits, and metabolism may affect the duration.

With regular applications, muscle memory weakens and wrinkle formation slows down.

Does Facial Expression Become Frozen?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions.

With the correct technique and appropriate dose:

• Facial expression does not become frozen
• Eyebrows remain in a natural position
• Facial expressions are preserved

The aim is not to eliminate facial expressions, but to reduce excessive muscle activity.