Bunny Lines

Bunny lines are distinctive facial wrinkles that form on the nose, named for their resemblance to a rabbit’s twitching nose. These diagonal lines appear on the bridge and sides of the nose primarily due to repeated muscle contractions during facial expressions. While some people find these lines charming and characteristic, others seek to minimise their appearance. These wrinkles result mainly from the activity of the nasalis muscle and typically become more pronounced with age as skin loses elasticity and collagen.

Bunny lines become most visible during specific facial expressions, particularly when smiling, laughing, or intentionally scrunching the nose. They are categorised as dynamic wrinkles because they initially appear primarily during active facial movements rather than when the face is at rest. Common triggers for bunny line formation include squinting in bright light, wrinkling the nose in response to certain smells or emotions, and making expressions of disgust or concentration. The degree to which these lines appear varies significantly between individuals based on skin elasticity, facial muscle strength, and habitual expression patterns.

For some people, bunny lines may appear as a natural part of their smile or laugh, giving their face unique character and expressiveness. For others, these lines might be barely noticeable until later in life when skin loses elasticity.

According to studies cited in medical literature, up to 77% of adults in the UK show visible bunny lines by the age of 40, indicating how common these facial features become with advancing age. This prevalence increases with each subsequent decade of life as cumulative skin changes and repeated muscle contractions leave more permanent impressions on facial contours.

The primary cause of bunny lines is the repeated contraction of the nasalis muscle, which runs along the sides of the nose and plays a key role in various facial expressions. This muscle is activated during common expressions such as smiling, laughing, and squinting, pulling on the skin of the nose and creating the characteristic diagonal lines on either side. The nasalis muscle has both transverse and alar components that work together to facilitate nose movements during expressions, and over time, these repeated contractions can lead to permanent creasing as the skin loses its natural elasticity.

As we age, our skin undergoes several important changes that make it more susceptible to wrinkle formation. The most significant factor is the gradual decline in collagen and elastin production, which begins in our twenties and accelerates in later decades. These essential proteins provide structure, elasticity, and resilience to the skin, allowing it to return to its original position after movement or stretching. With decreased levels of these components, the skin becomes less able to bounce back from repeated creasing, eventually leading to permanent lines.

Additionally, aging skin typically becomes thinner, drier, and less firm, further reducing its ability to resist wrinkle formation. The subcutaneous fat that provides volume and support to youthful skin also diminishes over time, allowing wrinkles to form more readily and appear more pronounced. This combination of reduced elasticity, diminished moisture retention, and decreased structural support means that the same facial expressions that might leave no lasting mark on youthful skin can create persistent lines as we age. These age-related transformations explain why bunny lines often become more noticeable and concerning to individuals as they enter middle age and beyond.

These injections work by temporarily paralysing or weakening the nasalis muscle, reducing its ability to contract and consequently softening the appearance of existing lines while preventing the formation of new ones. Wrinkle reducing treatments typically involve small doses of [substance can’t be named in Australia] being precisely injected into targeted areas of the nasalis muscle on the sidewalls of the nose. Results begin to appear within a few days after treatment and generally last for three to four months before muscle activity gradually returns.

The treatment is generally quick, with minimal discomfort and downtime, making it an attractive option for many individuals seeking to address these particular wrinkles without significant interruption to their daily activities.

For deeper, more established bunny lines, volumising injections can provide an effective treatment option by physically filling in the creases and restoring volume to the area. These injectable treatments typically contain substances naturally found in the skin and provide hydration and volume. When injected beneath bunny lines, they can immediately smooth the appearance of wrinkles while providing structural support that helps prevent further deepening of the lines during facial expressions. The results are visible immediately after treatment and typically last between six months to two years, depending on the specific product used and individual factors such as metabolism and lifestyle.

Beyond traditional fillers, collagen-stimulating treatments offer another approach to addressing bunny lines. These include injectable biostimulators that prompt the body to produce its own collagen in the treated area over time, providing longer-lasting improvements in skin quality and wrinkle reduction.

Chemical peels like Salicylic Peels, TCA Peels and VI Peels represent another treatment category that can be effective for bunny lines, particularly when combined with other approaches. These treatments use chemical solutions to remove the outer layers of damaged skin, promoting cell turnover and collagen production. The intensity of chemical peels can range from light superficial peels with minimal downtime to deep peels that provide more dramatic results but require significant recovery time.

To treat bunny lines well, you need to understand that everyone’s face is different. These differences affect how the lines form and what treatment will work best for each person.

Some people naturally have stronger nasalis muscles or thinner skin around the nose, making them more prone to developing pronounced bunny lines even with normal facial expressions. Others may have unique patterns of muscle use when smiling or making other expressions, resulting in atypical bunny line formations that require customised treatment approaches. These anatomical variations mean that standardised treatments often yield suboptimal results, underscoring the importance of personalised assessment before any intervention.

The Registered Nurses at The Cosmetic Studio Noosa will evaluate your specific muscle movement patterns, skin quality, and existing line depth to ascertain crucial information needed for developing effective treatment plans. This assessment might involve observing how your bunny lines appear at rest and during various expressions to determine whether they are primarily dynamic (appearing only during movement) or have become static (visible even when the face is relaxed).

The distribution and direction of the lines also inform treatment choices, as diagonal lines from the nasalis muscle may require different approaches than horizontal lines from the procerus muscle. This level of detailed analysis ensures that any treatments offered by the Registered Nurses target the specific muscles and skin conditions contributing to your unique presentation of bunny lines.