Frown Lines Treatment Singapore

Botox for frown lines, units, price and duration

Botulinum toxin (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin and Nabota are all approved in Singapore) is injected into five to seven points across the corrugator and procerus muscles. The muscles relax over three to fourteen days, the brows stop pulling together, and the lines fade. Glabellar lines were the first cosmetic indication approved for botulinum toxin, and remain the one with the most trial data.

• Who it suits. Anyone with dynamic frown lines, and as the base treatment for static lines before anything else is added. It is the lead option because it removes the muscle pull that created the line.
• Evidence Grade A. Supported by systematic reviews and many controlled trials showing a large and consistent improvement at maximum frown for three to four months, with a safety record over more than twenty years.
• Dose. About 20 units of Botox or Xeomin is the standard studied dose, with a range of 15-25 for women and 20-40 for men with heavier muscles. Dysport units are not equivalent and the dose is higher.
• 2026 Singapore price. S$150-600 per area on published clinic price lists, with most mid-range clinics at S$250-350 and the lowest published price about S$250. Per-unit pricing is about S$16-20. Three areas (frown, forehead, crow’s feet) are commonly packaged at S$500-1,200.
• Sessions. One, repeated every three to four months. After a year of regular treatment the interval often extends and shallow static lines soften.
• Downtime. None. Small raised bumps settle within half an hour, and a bruise at an injection point is possible.
• Risks. Drooping of the upper eyelid in a small minority if toxin spreads to the lid-lifting muscle, which lasts two to six weeks, a heavy or lowered brow if the forehead is over-treated at the same time, a raised outer brow (“Spock brow”) if the inner brow is relaxed more than the outer, headache for a day or two, and asymmetry. All are temporary.

Crow’s feet are treated in the same session with the same product. See Crow’s feet treatment Singapore.

Laser resurfacing for frown lines

Fractional CO2 or erbium laser creates columns of controlled injury across the glabella, and the healing response rebuilds collagen and smooths the surface. It treats the etched line and the rough, sun-damaged skin around it, but does nothing to the muscle, so it is combined with toxin.

• Who it suits. Static lines with photodamaged, crepey or pigmented skin between the brows. People who prefer not to have filler in this area.
• Evidence Grade B. Controlled studies show a measurable reduction in static wrinkle depth at three to six months after fractional resurfacing. Evidence specific to the glabella is less extensive than for the whole face.
• 2026 Singapore price. S$450-800 per session for a small area, S$800-1,500 for the full face. Pico laser in fractional mode is S$150-450 per session with a milder effect.
• Sessions. Fractional CO2 one to two sessions, three months apart. Erbium or pico three to five sessions.
• Downtime. Fractional CO2 three to seven days of redness and swelling, then weeks of pinkness. Pico one to two days.
• Risks. Post-inflammatory darkening (more common in Asian skin), prolonged redness, and rarely scarring or lightening.

Retinoids and home care for frown lines

Prescription tretinoin or adapalene, applied nightly to the glabella, increases collagen over months and softens fine static lines. Sunscreen and sunglasses reduce the squinting and UV damage that drive the line. Adhesive frown patches worn overnight hold the skin flat and give a temporary smoothing that lasts a few hours.

• Evidence Grade A for prescription retinoids on fine photoageing lines, supported by several controlled trials. Grade A for daily sunscreen in slowing skin ageing. Grade D for frown patches and “Botox-like” peptide creams, with no published evidence beyond marketing claims.
• 2026 Singapore price. Tretinoin S$30-80 per tube, retinol products S$30-120, sunscreen S$20-60, frown patches S$20-40 per pack.
• Sessions. Nightly, indefinitely.
• Downtime. None, with dryness and peeling in the first month.
• Risks. Irritation and sun sensitivity. Retinoids are not used in pregnancy.

How to get rid of frown lines, choosing a treatment

1. Line only on frowning. Botulinum toxin alone, about 20 units, reviewed at two weeks and adjusted.
2. Line at rest that fades when the skin is stretched (the stretch test is in What causes frown lines). Toxin alone, repeated on schedule for two or three cycles. Most of these lines soften without anything else.
3. Line at rest that persists when stretched. Toxin first, then at two weeks either a small volume of filler from an injector experienced in the glabella, or fractional laser if the surrounding skin is sun-damaged.
4. Crepey or dry skin between the brows. Skin boosters or a nightly retinoid are added.
5. Heavy brows or hooded upper lids. Treated cautiously. Relaxing the glabella alone lifts the inner brow slightly, but adding forehead toxin can drop the brow. Brow position options are at Eyebrow treatment Singapore.
6. Budget-limited. Toxin every four months plus sunscreen and sunglasses costs less per year than one laser course and addresses the cause.

Crow’s feet and frown lines share the same causes and are commonly treated together at a lower per-area price, see Crow’s feet treatment Singapore.