Botox for Bunny Lines

Bunny lines" are wrinkles that appear along the bridge of the nose often when you smile, laugh, or scrunch your nose. Just like crow's feet, forehead wrinkles, and 11s between your eyebrows (glabellar wrinkles), these bunny lines can be treated with neuromodulator injections such as Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin. Bunny lines arise from the contraction of the nasalis muscle, a facial muscle that overlies the bridge of the nose, when we make certain faces. Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin can be safely injected into the nasalis muscle to relax and weaken it, preventing the muscle from creating these wrinkles. This quick, painless procedure will leave you looking younger and revitalized, and feeling happy with your wrinkle-free skin!

How long does a Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin treatment last?

Effects usually last up to six months, and then gradually fade away. Following several treatments, results may last beyond six months.

Are there any possible side effects?

Side effects from BOTOX® Cosmetic, if any occur, are usually mild and temporary. Botulinum contains proteins that, in rare circumstances, may be naturally safeguarded against by the body’s ability to produce antibodies. If antibodies are formed, the therapy will generate a lesser response. Temporary bruising sometimes is experienced but resolves within two to three days. In rare cases, there can be a slight drooping of an eyelid or eye brow, or asymmetry of expression. If this should happen, return to our office for evaluation and correction. During your consultation with our staff, please let us know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

What type of results will I see?

Typically, the effects of Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin are visible within three days. Maximum benefits are reached between ten to fourteen days. Once the muscle becomes dormant and the skin softens, patients notice a more relaxed and youthful appearance. Neuromodulator injections are not a substitute for a facelift. Depending on your specific goals, optimal results in appearance may be maximized by incorporating neuromodulator injections with a facelift, laser resurfacing, or a skin rejuvenation procedure.

What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a therapeutic muscle-relaxing agent derived from a bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum. For over a decade, ophthalmologists have employed BOTOX® Cosmetic for its original intention; the treatment of blepharospasm (abnormal blinking or eyelid tic). Physicians also have been utilizing BOTOX® Cosmetic for years as a cosmetic treatment for correcting visible signs of stress and aging.

How do neuromodulator injections work?

The contractions and movements of our facial muscles are controlled by signals from the brain. Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin simply prevents these muscles from allowing responses to such signals. As a result, the muscles relax, weaken, and in the case of the masseter muscle, decrease in size.

What is treatment like?

With a very fine needle, Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin is injected into the specific muscle that is contracting and causing the facial lines and wrinkles. Treatment is effective, safe, and takes approximately 5-10 minutes. Pain is minimal (that of a “pin prick”) and no anesthetic is required. In our Mclean, VA and Woodbridge, VA dermatology offices, we offer topical anesthetic for neuromodulator injections at no additional charge. Patients are able to immediately return back to work and there is no down-time. Following treatment, patients are asked not to lay down or vigorously exercise for 4-6 hours.