If you’ve got vertical forehead lines between your eyebrows that don’t go away, even when I’m not frowning, you’re probably dealing with what’s commonly known as “11 lines.” These lines can make you look angry, tired, or tense, even when you’re not. The good news? There are simple, non-surgical ways to treat them.
What exactly are vertical forehead lines?
They’re the two vertical creases that form between my eyebrows from repeated frowning or squinting. That’s why they’re often called “11 lines.”
Why do 11 lines show up in the first place?
Those lines form because of the way my facial muscles move, specifically the corrugator and procerus muscles. Every time you frown, your skin folds. Over time, those folds deepen into visible creases as the support layers beneath your skin (muscle, fat, bone) wear down.
Why are my vertical forehead lines deeper than other people’s?
Everyone’s facial anatomy is a little different. Some of us are naturally more expressive or have inherited stronger frown muscles. Lifestyle habits like smoking or major weight loss can also speed up foundation loss under the skin, making vertical forehead lines look more pronounced.
What’s the best way to treat 11 lines?
At Verve, we believe the most effective 11 lines treatment starts with relaxing the muscles that cause the folds by using wrinkle relaxers like Botox, or Xeomin. These neurotoxins help prevent deeper creases from forming. If the lines are already etched in, adding a cosmetic filler can help stretch and soften the resting lines by rebuilding the underlying support.
For resting lines , in addition to the wrinkle relaxers , specialized hyaluronic acid fillers such as beletero can be injected into the skin layer to remove the collagen damaged surface creases . The combination of botox and fillers in this area is a more powerful solution than the wrinkle relaxers alone .
Are these treatments permanent?
No. Like all neurotoxins, the effects usually last 3–6 months. YouI’ll need maintenance treatments to keep those frown lines smoothed out.
The fillers in this area may persist in this area for up to a year as long as the stays in a resting position with upkeep of botox / xeomin . By keeping the skin with minimal movement the fillers will persist longer .
Where can I go for vertical forehead lines treatment in NYC?
Verve’s New York and New Jersey locations offer targeted treatments to reduce vertical forehead lines. Dr. Stephen Bracci and his team specialize in personalized plans that address both muscle movement and volume loss for results that look natural, not frozen.
This information was medically reviewed by board-certified physician Stephen P. Bracci, M.D. on August 20, 2025.
