Dynamic wrinkles: what they are and how to treat them

Dynamic wrinkles are the lines that appear when the muscles of expression contract and disappear when the face relaxes. They are the forehead lines when raising the eyebrows, the glabella lines when frowning and the crow's feet when smiling. They exist in people of any age, because they reflect skin folding over a moving muscle.

Why do they become permanent?

Over time, repeating the same movement, combined with the loss of collagen and skin elasticity, means the fold no longer disappears at rest. The wrinkle becomes static. Sun exposure, smoking and genetics speed up this process.

How are dynamic wrinkles treated?

Because the main cause is movement, the most common treatment is botulinum toxin, which reduces the contraction of the responsible muscle. When well indicated, it softens the wrinkle and tends to slow its progression to static, for as long as the effect lasts. The dose and the points vary with the strength of the muscle and each patient's expression pattern.

The goal, in most cases, is to soften and not to paralyze: a natural expression is usually what the patient expects. Possible undesired effects include asymmetry and drooping of the eyebrow or eyelid. The indication rests with the qualified professional, after assessment.

How to assess it in the consultation?

Ask the patient to make the expressions (frowning, raising the eyebrows, smiling) and take photos at rest and in motion. This shows what is dynamic and what is already static, and helps align expectations.

Also called: expression wrinkles, expression lines.