If you read the phrase “she furrowed her brow,” in a short story, what kind of emotion would you assume the character was expressing? People usually furrow their brows when they are angry, confused, or in pain. Their eyebrows draw together, and wrinkles form where their nose meets their forehead. This is a normal facial expression to make, but of course, you don’t want your brow to appear furrowed when you’re not angry or confused. Unfortunately, as you age, this might be something you notice.
A furrowed brow tends to come on slowly. When you look in the mirror, you may feel like you appear less cheerful, even when you’re in a good mood. Friends might ask you “what’s wrong?” – and you’ll repeatedly reply, “nothing!” Then, one day, you’ll take a closer look at that area between your eyebrows and realize it’s the culprit. The skin in that area looks wrinkled and furrowed, even when you’re smiling! You officially have a furrowed brow. But the good news is, there are several ways you can smooth it out. It all starts with understanding how brow furrows form and how to reverse the changes that lead to furrowing.
Causes of a Furrowed Brow
It’s natural for your brow to furrow as you age. It does not mean you’ve done anything wrong, or that there is anything wrong with you. As you grow older, the skin along your brow tends to lose collagen. Collagen is a protein that gives your skin elasticity and tension. As collagen levels decline, your skin tends to develop wrinkles. When the skin in your brow area no longer has enough collagen to keep it taut and toned, it begins to furrow.
Some people lose collagen faster than others, which is why their brow may furrow sooner. So, most methods of smoothing out a furrowed brow involve preserving or replacing that lost collagen.
Smoothing Out a Furrowed Brow
The best way of dealing with a furrowed brow depends on the depth and intensity of your furrows. If your furrows are still pretty shallow and are really only obvious when you frown or scowl, then your practitioner may suggest treating them with a neurotoxin, like Botox. For more intense furrows, dermal fillers are the way to go. Here’s a closer look at both options.
Neurotoxins
Botox is the best-known neurotoxin, but others work in similar ways. A neurotoxin temporarily paralyzes the nerve endings that control the tony muscles that control the movement of your skin. In doing so, it stops wrinkles from forming on intensifying when you make facial expressions.
If your practitioner injects a little neurotoxin between your eyebrows, then your brow will furrow a lot less when you move the rest of your face. The difference will be obvious within hours of your injections. You’ll instantly look more youthful and upbeat.
Neurotoxin injections work best for mild to moderate brow furrows. The results last a few months. When you start to notice your brow furrowing again, you can make another appointment for a touch-up. In some cases, your practitioner may use Botox, but there is also another neurotoxin called Dysport that works really well for wrinkles in this area.
Dermal Fillers
For really deep brow furrows that remain obvious even when you’re not moving your face, dermal fillers tend to be the better choice. These work as a sort of collagen replacement. Some injections physically replace collagen, and others encourage your skin to make more of its own collagen. In either case, the dermal filler is designed to add volume and elasticity to your skin, essentially filling in the wrinkles so your brow line looks smooth again.
Dermal fillers last longer than Botox and other neurotoxins. The longevity depends on the product, but some can last up to 18 months or two years. You may have some redness and swelling for a day or two after treatment, but it fades quickly. Radiesse and Juvederm are two fillers often used in the brow area. Your practitioner can assess your needs and recommend the one that’s best suited to you.
If your expression is looking overly frustrated or confused lately, it could be because you’re developing brow furrows. This happens quite often as you age due to loss of collagen. Thankfully, you don’t have to look angry forever! Don’t hesitate to contact Balance Med Spa for a consultation. Our friendly, Orlando practitioners can recommend a treatment that gives you a smoother, more cheerful look.
