Understanding the five types of glabellar frown lines: how this impacts your treatment result
When it comes to facial expressions, the glabella (the area between your eyebrows) is a focal point. It’s the part of your face most associated with frowning, and over time, repetitive muscle contractions here can lead to deep, expressive lines known as glabellar frown lines. These lines can unintentionally signal emotions like anger, stress, or fatigue- even when you’re feeling relaxed and content. Fortunately, medical aesthetic treatments can offer an effective, non-surgical solution.
The five types of glabellar frown line patterns
Not all frown lines are the same. A landmark clinical study by Almeida et al. (2012) identified five distinct glabellar contraction patterns, each caused by different muscle groups working in unique ways. These patterns explain why frown lines can look deeper, more angled, or more clustered in some people compared to others.
Understanding which pattern you have is essential. It helps your cosmetic nurse tailor treatment more precisely, targeting the specific muscles responsible for your lines while preserving natural movement. This ensures your result looks balanced, refreshed, and uniquely yours.
Because every face is different, recognising these patterns is the first step toward creating a personalised treatment plan- one that considers not just the lines you see today, but also how your muscles are likely to shape your expressions in the future.
01. The “U” Pattern
Prevalence: Most common (32% of cases)
Muscles involved: Corrugators and procerus
Appearance: The brows gently pull down and inwards, creating soft vertical lines between the eyebrows. Sometimes, a faint horizontal line can also appear across the top of the nose where the brows meet.
02. The “V” Pattern
Prevalence: Seen in about 30% of cases, especially men
Muscles involved: Corrugators, procerus, and orbicularis oculi (medial portion)
Appearance: The brows pull strongly down and together, forming a sharp “V” shape. This often produces deeper, more pronounced frown lines that can look more intense.
03. The “Converging Arrows” Pattern
Prevalence: Around one in five people (19% of cases)
Muscles involved: Corrugators and medial orbicularis oculi
Appearance: The brows pull directly towards each other without much upward or downward movement. This creates distinct vertical lines between the eyebrows (often called “11” lines). The term “converging arrows” refers to the underlying muscle pull, but what patients usually notice are these vertical creases.
04. The “Omega” Pattern
Prevalence: Less common, about 10% of cases
Muscles involved: Corrugators, orbicularis oculi (medial), and frontalis.
Appearance: In this pattern, the brows lift slightly as they move together, creating curved lines that resemble the Greek letter omega (Ω).
05. The “Inverted Omega” Pattern
Prevalence: The rarest, only 8% of cases
Muscles involved: Procerus, depressor supercilii, internal orbicularis oculi, and possibly nasalis.
Appearance: Instead of pulling together, the brows move mostly downward. This creates lines that curve like an upside-down omega (Ω), with the eyebrows rarely meeting in the middle.
Dynamic vs. static lines
When it comes to glabellar frown lines, it helps to understand the difference between dynamic lines and static lines.
Dynamic lines appear only when you’re making an expression, such as frowning, squinting, or concentrating. These lines are caused by repeated muscle contractions folding the skin. In the early stages, frown lines are usually only dynamic.
Static lines remain visible even when your face is at rest. Over time, dynamic lines can become static as the skin loses elasticity and the creases gradually etch in.
Because static lines are “set” into the skin, they can be more challenging to improve. While dynamic lines often respond well to early medical aesthetic treatments, static lines may require a more combined approach for the best outcome. This might include options such as clinical microneedling, laser therapies, or prescription skincare to support the skin and soften their appearance. With regular and consistent treatment, static lines can gradually improve over time, though results are usually slower and more subtle compared with dynamic lines.
At Butter, we take time to assess whether your frown lines are dynamic, static, or a combination of both. This helps us set realistic expectations and create a treatment plan that is safe, personalised, and aligned with your goals.
Our approach to treating glabellar frown lines
Many new practitioners are taught a “one-size-fits-all” approach to treating frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet. However, research shows that recognising each person’s unique muscle contraction pattern (and tailoring the technique accordingly) is key to achieving:
A more natural expression after treatment
Reduced risk of over- or under-treatment
Longer-lasting, aesthetically pleasing results
Cosmetic Registered Nurse Elysia brings extensive experience to every consultation. She spent four years training other healthcare professionals across Australia in the safe and effective treatment of facial lines and continues to build her expertise by regularly reviewing clinical research, attending training workshops, and participating in advanced anatomy courses, including cadaver dissections. This ensures her approach is always guided by evidence, safety, and a commitment to patient satisfaction.
This personalised, evidence-based approach begins with your Butter Consultation, where treatment planning is tailored to your unique frown line pattern, skin, and goals.
What to expect in a Butter Consultation
Just as frown line patterns differ from person to person, so too should the approach to treatment. The Butter Consultation allows 45 minutes with Cosmetic Nurse Elysia to understand your goals and design a personalised plan in a calm, supportive space.
Our focus is on nurturing confidence- supporting you to reflect on the facial features you already love, define your treatment goals, and feel confident in a plan that fits your needs and budget.
During your consultation, Elysia will review your clinical photos, take a thorough medical history, and answer your questions before collaborating with her prescribing doctor to recommend the most suitable approach. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of your options, including possible outcomes, aftercare, and costs- so you can make an informed decision about whether treatment feels right for you.
Please note that medical aesthetic treatments may not be suitable for everyone, including those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or experiencing an active infection. For the most accurate assessment, we kindly ask that you attend your consultation without makeup.
Ready to learn which frown line type you have and the best way to treat it? Book your Butter Consultation today.
Still have a question about glabellar frown lines?
Key topics
Five Types of Glabellar Lines | Frown Line Treatment | Wrinkle Treatment | Wrinkle Reduction Hobart | Cosmetic Nurse Hobart
References
De Almeida AR, da Costa Marques ER, Banegas R, Kadunc BV. Glabellar contraction patterns: a tool to optimize botulinum toxin treatment. Dermatol Surg. 2012 Sep;38(9):1506-15. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2012.02505.x. Epub 2012 Jul 16. PMID: 22804914.
Elysia Hodge
Cosmetic Nurse + Founder
Butter Cosmetic + Skin Clinic
