Glabella Lines. What lasers would help to eliminate these?

Question

I am getting vertical (glabella lines) on my forehead, not horizontal. I do not like Botox. What lasers would help to eliminate these. I was told that fillers are not safe for that area.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Michael M. Omidi, MD, FACS · Answer

Pictures would be helpful to determine what options are best for you. Forehead lines are caused by overactive muscles. To prevent continued creasing the muscles would have to be relaxed. Fillers can help for improving already present creases. Best of luck. Dr. Michael Omidi

An in-person exam with a
board-certified plastic surgeon is the best way to assess your needs and
provide true medical advice.

An in-person exam with a
board-certified plastic surgeon is the best way to assess your needs and
provide true medical advice.

Jill C. Fichtel, MD · Answer

For most patients, lasers are not especially useful to decrease the appearance of deep glabellar lines, and fillers would not be particularly effective either.  Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin are much more effective at improving the appearance of these types of wrinkles (the vertical lines are sometimes called "11s").  If you are not a fan of needles, a "botox cream" may be available in the future which has shown some good results in initial trials.

Manjula Jegasothy, MD · Answer

Fraxel® laser treatment is great for smoothing superficial lines on the face and body. Since the correct Fraxel® laser treatment settings vary widely among individuals, please consult a board certified aesthetic dermatologist for a consultation.

Richard Ort, MD · Answer

Botox or related medicines Dysport and Xeomin are usually the best choice for treating glabellar lines or the 11's.  These lines are caused by muscle contraction and Botox works by relaxing the muscles which cause the lines.  It is possible to inject fillers into the lines as well but it is considered a higher risk area for filler and special expertise is required.  Lasers alone don't work well for glabellar lines because the lines tend to come back over time due to repeated muscle contractions.  When I do laser resurfacing, I almost always recommend combining the laser treatment with Botox injections so that the improvement in the lines can last.

Glabella Lines. What lasers would help to eliminate these?

Answers (5)

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