What Are Bunny Lines? A Plastic Surgeon Explains How to Treat Them
The name “bunny lines” may sound cute, but if they bother you, you may find that they’re anything but cute in reality. In short, bunny lines are wrinkles that appear on the sides of your nose when you wrinkle your nose like a bunny. While they may not be as often mentioned as crow’s feet or the “pixie” between the eyes, they are similar in that they are also dynamic wrinkles – created by repeated muscle movements and can become ingrained over time. Although you don’t have to do anything about bunny lines (or other wrinkles), there are several options if you decide you want to minimize their appearance. Below, experts provide a full overview of bunny lines and the best treatment options.
What Are Bunny Lines?
“Bunny lines are diagonal and/or horizontal wrinkles that appear on the sides of your nose when you wrinkle or pucker your nose,” explains expert Carol Eisenstat, MD. If you’re younger, you may only see them when you make such movements. Over time, however, these lines can become more noticeable and deeper as we lose collagen and elastin, just like other wrinkles and signs of aging.
Causes of Bunny Lines
The main cause of bunny lines is repetitive muscle movements, especially the nasal muscles that run along the sides of the nose, Eisenstat explains. However, it’s important to note that unlike movements like frowning (which is more of a universal motion), not everyone does these types of nose-puckering facial animations, notes board-certified plastic surgeon Usha Rajagopal, MD. In other words, not everyone gets bunny lines, and they’re not as common as other types of dynamic wrinkles. She also adds that many people only notice bunny lines after treating wrinkles elsewhere on the face — these wrinkles become more noticeable after reducing other wrinkles because they’re the only wrinkles left.
As with any type of wrinkle, genetics can play a role in the development of bunny lines — some people are genetically more prone to them than others, Eisenstat notes. Lifestyle factors that usually affect skin quality, such as sun exposure, smoking, and general skin care habits, can also affect the severity of these fine lines, she adds.
How to Treat Bunny Lines
Both experts we spoke to agreed that neuromodulator injections (Botox, Dysport, etc.) are by far the best solution. “These are used to relax the nasal muscles and reduce the appearance of bunny lines,” says Eisenstat. When the muscle is relaxed, it can’t perform this movement, so you won’t get wrinkles (and if you already have them, they’ll be less noticeable). It’s injected into the sides of the nose, she adds, and while the exact amount depends on your specific needs, it’s usually a relatively small amount of about two to four units. (For comparison, according to Rajagopal, an average of 22 to 24 units are used to treat the area between the eyebrows.)
A small amount of injectable filler is another option. “This will plump up the lines so they’re not as noticeable,” says Rajagopal, adding that this is a good option if the lines are already sculpted and visible even when your face is at rest. Thinner fillers—Restylane Refyne, Juvederm Volbella—work best here, and only require very small amounts. She notes that bunny line fillers are usually more of an add-on treatment if you’ve already injected more filler elsewhere on your face so far and have some left over.
How to Prevent Bunny Lines
While bunny lines are often hereditary and/or caused by natural facial expressions, there are some adjustments you can make if you want to prevent them from forming or don’t want them to become more noticeable. Here are our experts’ top tips:
Pay attention to your facial movements: It’s easier said than done (of course), but being aware of repetitive facial movements that can make bunny lines worse, such as wrinkling your nose, can help prevent it from developing or becoming more noticeable, Eisenstat says.
Be aware after Botox: It’s also important to pay attention to how you move your face to “11 lines” after Botox, Rajagopal adds. If you still unconsciously try to frown while engaging other muscles, such as those around your nose, this can cause bunny lines.
Develop a good skin-care routine: Otherwise, as always, good skin care is your best bet. That means using a retinoid to boost collagen production and wearing sunscreen daily to protect your skin from UV rays, Eisenstat suggests. While these steps won’t completely prevent bunny lines, this smart, universally applicable skincare tip will only help improve the overall quality of your skin.
Final Verdict
Bunny lines are another common wrinkle that develops over time in association with facial expressions and can be found on either side of the nose. While they are normal and you don’t need to do anything about them unless they bother you, if you find that your bunny lines are no longer as attractive, injectables like Botox and fillers can be helpful treatment options. If you want to prevent these fine lines from forming or increasing, you can also use skincare products and pay attention to muscle exercises, which can also have a positive impact on your overall skin health and anti-aging efforts.
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
