We’re going to level with you—nothing will help fade glabellar lines, unaffectionately referred to as ’11 lines,’ quite like a neurotoxin, but having little helpers doesn’t hurt. There are a handful of products out there that can help soften the appearance of 11 lines so they’re not as pronounced. Whether you’re looking for products to pair with in-office treatments or formulas to simply soften lines for the time being, these are the ones we recommend for helping to fade those pesky 11 lines.
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Can Skin Care Fade Glabellar Lines?
A subtle fade is entirely possible with a solid skin-care routine, but a full-on disappearing act is unlikely to come from topical products alone. Omaha, NE dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, MD notes that “11 lines are tough because they are the result of muscles that contract and have formed a deep crease that is nearly permanent unless injections are performed.” Omaha, NE dermatologist Daniel Schlessinger, MD says, skin-care products won’t give nearly as good of a result on the 11 lines as neuromodulators, and sometimes patients with really deep 11 lines even require a bit of filler. While skin-care products can’t completely wipe away deep-set glabellar lines, they can be helpful in softening them or supporting in-office treatments that handle the hard work.
What Is the Best Way to Erase Glabellar Lines?
“These 11 lines appear because the muscle of the eyebrows (the corrugators) action is grooving the skin because of repetition,” explains Delray Beach dermatologist Dr. Janet Allenby. She says treating glabellar lines is actually pretty simple when using a neuromodulator. Then, “Once they’re smooth, keeping up with the neuromodulator keeps them at bay.”
Glabellar lines may be more pronounced on people who frown or think a lot and because of the negative connotation of the 11s being caused by a frown, nobody seems to want them, says Dr. Allenby. “If someone has stubborn glabellar lines, meaning the muscles are at rest but the skin lines are still there, we can use filler, usually a thinner hyaluronic acid. Super stubborn lines sometimes require augmented treatment with a CO2 laser treatment.”






