'I look stern.'

What is behind it: the muscles between the brows (corrugator, procerus) pull the brows together and down. In some people they are active even at rest – the line stays, the expression looks tense, critical or annoyed. Over the years the line engraves itself as a static wrinkle. Often low brows and a horizontal line across the nose bridge come with it.

What helps: botulinum toxin into the glabella relaxes exactly these muscles. The brows lift slightly, the line smooths over two weeks, the expression becomes neutral to friendly – with expression preserved. If the line is deeply engraved, a little hyaluronic acid can cushion the remaining line after a few months.

What it cannot do: a line that is already very deep does not disappear the first time; regular treatment flattens it over a year. And: anyone who also uses the forehead strongly needs the forehead treated too, otherwise the tension shifts.

Honestly: many report that not only the look but the feeling changes – because the reflexive frowning disappears. There are studies on mood; it is not a therapy.