Skin & Aesthetics · Harley Street
Frown Lines
The vertical lines between the eyebrows, often called the "11 lines", that can make a resting face look cross or worried.
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Frown lines form between the brows, in the area clinicians call the glabella. They are created by the small muscles that pull the brows together and down when you concentrate, squint or frown. Because those muscles are strong and used constantly, the lines here often etch in earlier and deeper than elsewhere.
They are the most common reason people first come to us about lines, usually not out of vanity but because they are tired of being asked why they look annoyed when they are not.
What causes frown lines?
Repeated contraction of the muscles between the brows. Concentration, squinting in bright light or at screens, and habitual frowning all contribute, and many people do it without any awareness.
Uncorrected long or short sight is a surprisingly common contributor, because squinting to focus engages exactly these muscles. If you have not had your eyes tested recently, it is worth doing.
How are frown lines treated?
Where the lines are dynamic and appear on frowning, treatment reduces the activity of the muscles creating them. This is one of the most predictable areas to treat, because the muscles are well defined and the effect on expression is limited to frowning.
Where a deep static line remains visible at rest, reducing movement alone may not fully soften it, and the skin itself may need support. Very deep, long-standing lines sometimes retain a faint shadow whatever is done.
What results are realistic?
Dynamic frown lines usually soften well, and most people describe looking less severe or tired rather than looking different. Static lines improve gradually as the skin is no longer being folded repeatedly, which can take a few months.
Any treatment reducing muscle movement is temporary and wears off, so this is a maintained result rather than a permanent one.
Find your treatment
Which skin treatment is right for you?
Tell us your main concern for a starting point, then confirm the right plan at a free consultation.
What is your main concern?
Frequently asked questions
What are 11 lines?
The two vertical lines between the eyebrows, named for their resemblance to the number 11. Clinically the area is called the glabella. They are caused by the muscles that pull the brows together when you frown or concentrate.
Why do frown lines make me look angry?
Because the same lines appear when you genuinely frown, so at rest the face carries a residual frown signal. People often report being asked if they are annoyed or tired when they feel neither, which is a common reason for seeking treatment.
Are frown lines permanent?
They begin as dynamic lines visible only on movement and gradually become static, remaining at rest. Static lines can be softened but rarely erased, particularly if they have been present for many years.
How long does treatment last?
Any treatment that reduces muscle movement is temporary and wears off over months, so results are maintained rather than permanent. Your clinician will discuss realistic timing and intervals at consultation.
Speak to our team
Every treatment begins with a free, no-obligation consultation at 19 Harley Street. We assess you in person and give honest advice on what suits you.
Medically reviewed by Dr Sumeyye Yuksel, MBBS · 5 September 2026