When we think of aesthetic treatments for smoothing wrinkles, our minds tend to go to the heavy hitter areas: the forehead, the “11s” and the marionette lines. But, have you ever given ample thought to those lines on the bridge of your nose right where the skin crinkles when you get a whiff of something smelly? Those are called bunny lines, and cosmetic treatments for this under-represented area are rising. Ahead, experts talk all things bunny lines, from what causes them to the best ways to fix them.
Featured Experts
- Julie Russak, MD is a dermatologist in New York
- Kelly Bomer, MD is a facial plastic surgeon in Scottsdale, AZ
- Dilip D. Madnani, MD is a facial plastic surgeon in New York
What causes bunny lines?
“Bunny lines are formed on the side of the nose due to contraction of multiple muscles in the area—the nasalis muscle, the medial part of the orbicularis oculi muscle and the elevator labii superiors alaeque nasa (LLSAN) aka ‘the Elvis’ muscle,” Dr. Madnani explains. As Dr. Bomer adds, bunny lines typically form from squinting or forcibly closing one’s eyes. These lines can also form for certain individuals when smiling or furrowing their brows. “This can happen naturally with expression, typically for people with faces that have a lot of expression, or can appear for some after having had their furrow muscles and smile muscles weakened by a neuromodulator like Botox,” Dr. Bomer says. “They now have to try harder to contract around the eyes, with the only muscles left that moves easily being around the sides of the nose,” Dr. Bomer says.
How do you treat bunny lines?
Thankfully, there are tons of options for treating bunny lines. According to Dr. Russak, Botox, dermal fillers, laser resurfacing and bioactive skin care are all great for decreasing bunny lines. “Small injections of botulinum toxin can relax the nasalis muscle and smooth out the wrinkles,” Dr. Russak explains. “Patients receiving Botox for bunny lines often see a significant reduction in wrinkle depth with minimal side effects.” If Botox isn’t enough, Dr. Russak says combining the neuromodulator with dermal fillers, like hyaluronic acid, can help address more deep-set lines. “Fractional lasers and microneedling with radiofrequency can help stimulate collagen production, reducing the appearance of fine lines,” she adds. Retinol and prescription-strength retinoids are also some of Dr. Russak’s suggestions for improving skin texture over time by increasing collagen turnover.
Can you prevent bunny lines?
While today’s cosmetic treatments can make major differences in the appearance of bunny lines, preventing the formation of stubborn wrinkles is always your best bet. “The use of neurotoxins and lasers for skin rejuvenation and reducing movement in the area can be used to improve the appearance of the area and help prevent deep-set lines from forming,” Dr. Madnani says. As Dr. Bomer explains, it is difficult to prevent the side-of-the-nose contraction that happens with involuntary facial expressions. Refraining from “wrinkling the nose” could help, as the bunny lines are essentially wrinkles that develop from repetitive side-of-nose contraction. “Weakening the contraction with neuromodulator injection every four to six months can prevent the formation of wrinkles and is best paired with sun protection and medical grade skincare program applied twice a day,” she adds.
In the way of topical prevention, Dr. Russak explains that “UV exposure accelerates collagen breakdown, making dynamic wrinkles more permanent,” so daily sunscreen use can help prevent this premature wrinkling. “Using collagen-boosting ingredients such as peptides, vitamin C and retinoids can help maintain skin elasticity and prevent early wrinkle formation,” Dr. Russak adds. “Maintaining proper hydration and a diet rich in antioxidants can also help slow collagen degradation and keep skin plump.”
