Bunny lines, also known as nose wrinkles, are the fine lines that form on either side of the nose. They typically appear as diagonal creases that run from the side of the nose down towards the mouth. However, they can start as high up as the eyes and extend down towards the lips.
These wrinkles get their nickname from their resemblance to the lines on a bunny’s nose.
A common question we hear at SpaMedica is how to get rid of bunny lines. This page will explain what bunny lines are, why they form, and the treatment options available to help reduce their appearance.
Bunny lines tend to show up around a person’s late 20s to early 30s as the result of frequent facial expressions. However, sun damage, smoking, and a lack of hydration can cause them to develop earlier.
The more a person squints, frowns, or scrunches their nose, the sooner nose wrinkles are likely to become visible. Even smiling and laughing can lead to the formation of these wrinkles, as the muscles around the nose are constantly in motion.
As we repeat facial expressions like squinting and smiling, the skin on our face folds in the same places over and over. Over time, this forms creases in the skin that remain even when our face is at rest. The nasalis muscle, which runs along the side of the nose, is especially prone to creating nose wrinkles due to its location and function.
Additionally, as we age, our skin loses elasticity due to drops in collagen and elastin production. That makes it harder for the skin to bounce back after being folded from facial expressions, and creases become permanent wrinkles.
Other factors that contributed to the early formation of nasal bunny lines include:
If you wish to retain your smooth, youthful skin, you can take steps to minimize the appearance of nose wrinkles. At SpaMedica, we offer several treatments to help reduce the appearance of nose wrinkles, including bunny lines.
Botox injections use purified botulinum toxin to temporarily paralyze muscles under the skin that cause wrinkles. For treating nose wrinkles, strategic injections along the sides of the nose relax the muscles that pull the skin inward toward the nose.
Botox for bunny lines allows the overlying skin to smooth out. Effects of each treatment session typically last 3-4 months.
Injectable fillers like Juvederm and Restylane work by plumping up wrinkled areas under the skin. A dermal filler treatment for bunny lines involves injections along the smile lines and on the sides of the nose. The added volume fills out creases and keeps the overlying skin taut.
It is a safe, non-surgical option for addressing nose wrinkles. Results from filler injections for nose wrinkles can last from 6 months up to 2 years.
Laser skin resurfacing removes damaged outer layers from the skin to reveal newer cells underneath. It promotes collagen growth, leading to firmer skin with fewer wrinkles. For improving bunny lines on the nose, fractionated lasers make microscopic holes in the skin beside the nose while leaving surrounding areas intact.
As the small wounds heal, new collagen fills them in, leading to smoother nasal lines.
Microneedling is a relatively novel procedure that uses tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries that stimulate wound healing. This, in turn, generates new collagen and elastin to improve skin texture and reduce wrinkles.
A professional microneedling treatment for nose wrinkles uses a specialized tool with tiny needles to cause micro damage along the nasal folds. As the tissues heal, plumping collagen growth in this area smooths out creases.
In a surgical fat transfer procedure, liposuction is first used to harvest fat cells from another part of the patient’s body. The purified fat cells are then strategically injected along the sides of the nose in the bunny line wrinkles.
The added volume fills in and elevates any sunken creases. The transferred fat cells also encourage collagen growth for smoother-looking skin. It helps semi-permanently correct nose wrinkles with long-term improvement.
While nose wrinkles are an inevitable part of facial aging, taking certain precautions can delay their appearance or minimize their severity:
SpaMedica offers a variety of treatments, encompassing both surgical and non-surgical methods, to address Bunny Lines. To determine the best approach for your specific requirements and to gain insight into the possible risks and factors associated with each option, we encourage you to book a consultation with us today!
Most patients need roughly 5 to 12 units of Botox total to smooth nose wrinkles, divided between two to three injection points along each nasal crease. Exact dosages can vary based on the severity of your lines and your individual response.
Bunny lines occur from the consistent contracting of two facial muscles that meet at diagonal angles along the sides of the nose: the levator labii superioris and the transverse portion of the nasalis muscle. These muscles allow us to flare our nostrils and scrunch our noses.
Some home remedies that can help diminish the appearance of nose wrinkles include gentle facial massage with carrier oils to increase blood flow, applying vitamin C/collagen/retinol creams daily, drinking more water, as well as facial yoga exercises for the nose area like the “bunny nose crinkle.”
Just don’t overdo expressions like nostril flaring and nose scrunching, which will worsen wrinkles over time.
Juvederm is made from a naturally occurring substance, hyaluronic acid sugar gel polymer, the dermal filler’s main ingredient.
The Teosyal injectable filler line can replace the HA your skin has lost. Teosyal injectable filler products have a high concentration of cross-linked HA.
Restylane (hyaluronic acid fillers) injections are used for cheek augmentations, midface contour deficiencies, and lip augmentations.
Fat grafting to the face helps restore lost volume and shape and can diminish wrinkles and depressions in the skin.
