The phrase “眉头紧锁” (furrowing one’s brows) likely brings a vivid image to mind. Over time, this habitual expression can lead to the formation of noticeable wrinkles between the eyebrows — known in Chinese as 川字纹, due to their resemblance to the Chinese character “川”. So, how do we describe this type of wrinkle in English?
川字纹 is commonly translated as frown lines, a type of natural facial expression line that appears when we frown. These lines are primarily formed due to the activity of the frown muscles and depressor muscles, which gradually create deep folds between the eyebrows — hence the descriptive name resembling the shape of “川”.
Because these wrinkles appear in the area between the eyebrows, they are also referred to as glabellar wrinkles. Some people may use the more general term eyebrow lines as well.
As a type of dynamic line, frown lines can eventually become static lines if not addressed. Once these static wrinkles form, they can make a person look perpetually tense or worried, which is why they are also called worry lines.
Although commonly associated with aging, frown lines are increasingly seen in younger individuals. Unfortunately, skincare alone may not be sufficient to address them. That’s why various treatments in aesthetic medicine are used to reduce or eliminate 川字纹 / 眉间纹.
Frown lines are typically treated with non-surgical procedures. In the field of micro plastic injection (微整形), both hyaluronic acid fillers and botulinum toxin injections can effectively reduce frown lines — though they work differently:
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Botulinum Toxin (commonly referred to as wrinkles removal injection) targets dynamic frown lines by relaxing the muscles and easing tension between the brows.
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Dermal Fillers, such as hyaluronic acid, are more suitable for static frown lines. They are injected directly into the visible crease to fill the depression and smooth the skin.
For facial rejuvenation, high-performance anti-aging devices also offer excellent results. These are typically non-invasive procedures that use advanced technologies to lift and tighten the skin and stimulate collagen regeneration, providing comprehensive anti-aging benefits.
Notable devices used at leading clinics like Ai Beauty Clinic in London include:
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Thermage FLX (a top-tier radiofrequency-based device)
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Merz Ultherapy (the U.S. FDA-cleared ultrasound lifting device)
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Fotona 4D Pro (a flagship European laser platform)
These technologies help address frown lines from the root cause, visibly improving the appearance of 川字纹 / glabellar wrinkles with high safety and efficacy.