Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed those fine lines on either side of your nose? Often called "bunny lines", these wrinkles can form from repeatedly scrunching or wrinkling your nose. While they may not seem like a big deal, over time bunny lines can become more pronounced and make you look older than you are. The good news is that botox is very effective at reducing the appearance of bunny lines. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how botox injections can help improve the look of these common nose wrinkles.
What are bunny lines?
Bunny lines, also sometimes called smile lines or nasolabial folds, are the fine lines or wrinkles that form on either side of the nose extending down towards the corners of the mouth. They often look like upside down check marks or parentheses framing the sides of the nose.
Bunny lines get their name because they make it look like your nose is scrunched up like a bunny when they are prominent. While everyone will develop some bunny lines as they age due to loss of collagen in the skin, repeated facial expressions like smiling, laughing, and nose wrinkling can cause them to appear earlier and become more deeply etched.
Bunny lines are a common, natural sign of aging around the nose and mouth, but they can make you appear older than you are if they are very pronounced or developed prematurely.
How they form on the nose?
Bunny lines form due to repeated nose wrinkling, often from smiling or laughing. When you raise your upper lip to smile or wrinkle your nose, it causes folds in the skin on either side of your nose.
A small muscle called the nasalis muscle, which lifts the upper lip and wrinkles the nose, is responsible for these expressions. Repeatedly contracted over the years, the nasalis muscle can cause the overlying skin to wrinkle permanently into bunny lines.
So in short, frequent smiling, laughter, and nose scrunching leads to the development of these lines.
How does botox treat these bunny lines?
Botox provides an effective treatment for bunny lines through targeted nerve blockade. It works by blocking the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, the communication point between nerves and muscles. Acetylcholine is the key neurotransmitter that signals muscles to contract when nerves fire.
By preventing acetylcholine from binding to receptor sites on muscle fibers, botox essentially paralyzes muscles on a temporary basis. It binds to these receptor sites and stops acetylcholine from activating contraction of the muscles. This muscle paralysis is what allows botox to relax the facial muscles causing bunny lines.
Specifically, they are injected directly into the nasalis muscles. These are the muscles responsible for smiling, wrinkling the nose, and forming lines on the sides of the nose. With botox blocking nerve signals to the nasalis muscles, they can no longer contract and wrinkle the overlying skin as usual.
As a result, the skin texture in that area is able to relax and smooth out. Both the depth and appearance of bunny lines are reduced. Over time, the effects of botox will gradually wear off and allow the muscles to contract again.
However, repeat treatments help prolong the effects and train the skin to remain in a less wrinkled state long-term. Follow-up sessions further paralyze the muscles, thereby helping to reduce bunny lines in the long run.
What to expect during botox procedure?
During your consultation, our botox specialist will assess the severity and decide the dosage, typically 10-20 units per side. The fast approx. 5-minute procedure uses a thin needle to administer botulinum toxin into the nasalis muscles. You may feel pinpricks but it's not painful. Redness or minor swelling can occur but fades within hours.
Schedule treatments 2-4 weeks before events, as effects emerge over weeks. Botox lasts 3-4 months so repeat treatments are required to maintain results.
Why you should choose botox for bunny lines?
6 reasons to treat bunny lines with botox are:
The Botox procedure takes little time and does not require any recovery or downtime. Patients can resume normal activities right away.
When administrated skillfully, Botox results can look natural and not overly processed. It works to refine the skin rather than drastically change its overall structure.
Botox has proven very effective at reducing the visual appearance of bunny lines over time. It works by temporarily weakening the underlying muscles responsible for line formation.
Our specialist can tailor the Botox dose and injection points specifically to each patient's needs. This allows for precise treatment of existing lines.
Beyond short-term reduction, ongoing Botox treatments may help prevent bunny lines from becoming deeper set in the skin long-term.
Botox has a robust safety profile when handled by trained medical professionals. Side effects are typically mild and temporary with appropriate administration.
Which Medispa in Fredericton offer botox treatment?
Vibrant Salon and Spa offers botox treatments, one of the most well known medical spas in Fredericton. Botox procedures are performed under the supervision of Dr. Janelle Simpson, who has extensive experience administering both Botox and dermal fillers for cosmetic purposes.
Some of the benefits of choosing our medical spa for Botox include our skilled and experienced team. Dr. Simpson will personally consult with each patient to determine their goals and the most effective treatment plan. She will then perform the minimally invasive Botox injections.
In addition to Botox for bunny lines, we also use the treatment for other issues like frown lines, crow's feet and forehead wrinkles. Dermal fillers are also available to naturally enhance areas like lips, cheeks or scarring. Our sterile and private treatment rooms have a relaxing environment.
Patients consistently report being pleased with the natural and youthful results they achieve. Ongoing treatments are encouraged to maintain the skin's smooth appearance over time. Both new and existing patients are welcome to book an initial consultation with us to see if Botox may help improve their specific concerns.
Final thoughts
Botox is a very effective and noninvasive way to reduce the appearance of unwanted bunny lines.
Repeatedly contracting the muscles around your nose from expressions like smiling or laughter can cause bothersome wrinkles called bunny lines to form on either side.
Botox works by temporarily paralyzing these muscles, allowing the overlying skin to relax and smooth out wrinkles.
Proper treatment can give you naturally radiant, refreshed skin around your nose and mouth area.
With repeated treatments over time, botox can help train the skin to stay less lined long term.
FAQ about botox treatment for bunny lines
What is the amount of Botox needed to treat bunny lines effectively?
The exact amount can vary depending on factors like severity of lines, muscle strength, and size of the treatment area. Your injector will do a consultation to determine the right dosage tailored for you. Visit our spa for a personalized experience and expert care.
Are bunny lines a type of nose wrinkles?
Yes, bunny lines are considered a type of nose wrinkle. They form on either side of the nose from repeated wrinkling or scrunching of the nasalis muscle when smiling, laughing, or other expressions.
Is Botox or Dermal Fillers better for bunny lines?
Botox is generally the better option for treating bunny lines. As it relaxes the muscles that cause wrinkles around the nose, Botox directly addresses the source of bunny lines. Dermal fillers can potentially help reduce deeper set lines, but Botox more directly treats bunny lines by relaxing the muscles responsible for their formation.