Aesthetic Medicine · Dr. Harris
Forehead lines
Horizontal lines across the forehead are produced by the only muscle that lifts the eyebrows. That makes the forehead the area where restrained dosing matters most.
From CHF 250 · Consultation CHF 50
Treatment
Forehead lines
Horizontal forehead lines are produced by the frontalis muscle. It is the only muscle that lifts the eyebrows — every time you look surprised, glance upwards or want to open your eyes wider, it pulls the skin of the forehead up and gathers it into horizontal folds.
It has an opponent: the glabellar muscle group and the muscle ringing the eye pull the brow down. Anatomically the forehead and the frown lines belong together, which is why they are always assessed as one unit.
Why the forehead is the most delicate area.
If the frontalis is treated too heavily or too low while the depressing muscles are left alone, the downward pull wins. The brow drops, the upper lid looks heavier and the gaze more tired — even though the lines themselves have gone. This is exactly the result people describe as "too much".
For that reason we dose the forehead conservatively and, where indicated, plan it together with the glabellar region. With a low forehead, low-set brows or an upper lid that has already begun to descend, we deliberately treat less or not at all. Advising against treating the forehead is a legitimate outcome of a consultation.
How the treatment works.
The medication used inhibits signal transmission from nerve to muscle. In the frontalis it is distributed across several shallow points above the brow, keeping a safe distance from the brow arch. Fewer lines form because the skin moves less and is therefore folded less.
At a glance
- Target
- Frontalis muscle
- Duration
- approx. 10–20 minutes
- Onset
- 3–7 days
- Duration of effect
- approx. 3–4 months
- Downtime
- normally none
- Planning
- ideally together with the glabella
- Price
- from CHF 250 per zone
Side effects — named honestly.
Small bruises, a feeling of tightness or heaviness across the forehead and headaches in the first few days all occur. The most relevant unwanted effect is a drop of the brow or upper lid. It is temporary but can persist for weeks. An uneven result with one brow sitting higher can usually be balanced with a small correction, assessed after about two weeks.
When treatment is not the right answer.
If the brows already sit low, if you hold the forehead permanently tensed to keep your field of vision clear, or if the upper lid has already begun to sag, the downside outweighs the benefit. Deep horizontal lines that stay unchanged at rest also respond only to a limited degree — there the cause lies in the structure of the skin. In these cases an honest no is the better outcome.
Indication
Who it suits – and when we advise against it.
Suitable when …
- the horizontal lines appear mainly when you raise your brows
- your brows sit at a normal height at rest
- the glabellar region can be assessed and, if needed, treated alongside
- you want a restrained, step-by-step approach
We advise against it when …
- your brows already sit low or the upper lid looks heavy
- you tense the forehead permanently to keep your field of vision clear
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- a neuromuscular condition is present
- the lines stay just as deep with the forehead fully relaxed
Process
What your appointment looks like.
Consultation
We discuss what you want, assess your facial movement and – if treatment is indicated – plan the individual dose. CHF 50, credited against treatment on the same day.
Treatment
About 20 minutes. Fine injections into defined zones. No dressing, and normally no downtime.
Follow-up
After about two weeks the result can be reviewed if needed. If individual points look uneven, a small touch-up may make sense.
Frequently Asked
Good to know.
Why is the forehead often not treated on its own?
Because the forehead muscle lifts the brow while the glabellar muscles pull it down. Weaken only the lifter and the brow can drop. Both areas are therefore assessed together.
Will I still be able to raise my brows?
That is the goal. Conservative dosing reduces line formation without removing movement altogether.
What happens if the result is uneven?
We review it after about two weeks. Small asymmetries can usually be balanced with a small additional dose.
Do deep forehead lines disappear completely?
Usually not. Lines that remain visible at rest become softer but not necessarily invisible. We discuss that openly beforehand.
What does the treatment cost?
From CHF 250 for one zone. The initial consultation costs CHF 50 and is credited if you are treated the same day.
Other indications
Related treatment areas.
Is treating the forehead the right step?
We start with a short medical consultation – or over WhatsApp, if you would like an initial view first. No sales pressure, and an honest assessment of whether treatment is indicated.
This treatment uses a prescription medication. It is administered only after a medical consultation, an individual assessment of whether it is indicated, and a personal discussion of the risks. This page does not replace a medical consultation.
