Understanding the Causes of Glabellar Frown Lines and Treatment Options

Glabellar frown lines refer to the vertical or horizontal wrinkles that form between the eyebrows, above the nose. They naturally appear when frowning or concentrating, but once the marks remain even after relaxing the expression, many people begin to consider corrective treatments.

Why Do Glabellar Frown Lines Form?

The glabellar area contains the corrugator muscle (which draws the eyebrows together) and the procerus muscle (which wrinkles the bridge of the nose). Each time a frowning expression is repeated, these muscles contract and create creases in the skin. While skin elasticity allows these creases to smooth out quickly at a young age, as collagen and elastic fibers decrease with age, the creases begin to remain visible.

When factors such as UV exposure, dry skin, sleep habits, and an increased frequency of frowning due to stress are added, the wrinkles can become more pronounced. In other words, glabellar frown lines often result from the combination of two factors: 'muscle movement' and 'reduced skin elasticity.'

How Do Corrective Treatments Work?

Treatments for glabellar frown lines are broadly divided into two approaches: those that reduce muscle movement and those that enhance the skin's own elasticity and density. The former approach controls excessive contraction of the expression muscles to slow the deepening of wrinkles, while the latter stimulates collagen production within the skin or uses thermal energy to stimulate tissue, improving skin texture and elasticity.

Depending on the depth of the wrinkles and skin condition, the two methods may be used alone or in combination. Whichever method is chosen, the skin tends to be more sensitive than usual for several days right after the procedure, so it's important to consult with a specialist to determine the approach that suits your skin type and lifestyle.

Post-procedure recovery: how many days should you pay attention?

While it varies by procedure type, generally from right after the treatment through days 1 to 3, you may experience mild redness, stinging, and warmth. During this period, the skin barrier is temporarily weakened, so it can react more sensitively than usual to cleansing or friction.

From day 4 onward, the redness and warmth gradually subside, but it's common to feel tightness and dryness deep in the skin instead. This can be seen as a stage where the skin rebalances its moisture and oil levels during recovery, and during this time, focusing on deep hydration care rather than stimulation can be helpful.

Step-by-step home care: try this approach

For days 1 to 3 right after the procedure, it's best to keep cleansing brief with lukewarm water and pause the use of irritating cleansers or exfoliating products. During this period, the key is to gently apply a low-irritant moisturizing product as if covering the skin, to help it calm down.

During the recovery phase from day 4 onward, the skin may look fine on the surface but often still has underlying dryness, so it's good to switch to moisturizing care that hydrates from within. Neglecting this period can lead to flaking or a lasting feeling of roughness, so maintaining a consistent moisturizing routine is important.

Sun protection is essential during both periods, and it's advisable to make a habit of reapplying a low-irritant sunscreen when going outside.

Customized hydration by stage: the 2-step approach of ABIJOU Cream

Since the skin's care needs change by stage after glabellar wrinkle improvement procedures, it's more efficient to switch products according to the stage rather than relying on a single product for the entire process. ABIJOU Cream is designed as a 2-STEP system to match this flow.

It is designed so that during the period right after the procedure (days 1 to 3) when redness and warmth are felt, you use 'Ultra Cera-Rich Cream (STEP1)', and during the recovery phase from day 4 onward when tightness and dryness remain, you use 'Hydro Re-Boosting Cream (STEP2)', allowing you to choose according to each stage, from after lifting/thermal energy procedures to after skin booster procedures.

Post-procedure recovery depends on home care

Right after lifting/thermal energy procedures, focus on calming redness and warmth with Ultra Cera-Rich Cream (STEP1), and from day 4 onward or after skin booster-type procedures, refer to continuing deep hydration and skin texture care with Hydro Re-Boosting Cream (STEP2). Both products are 50ml, priced at 59,000 KRW, and available on the official online store (abijoushop.com).