What Bunny Lines Are and Where They Come From
In one line
Bunny lines are short diagonal wrinkles on the sides of the nose, produced by activity of the nasalis muscle — and sometimes strengthen precisely after botox to the glabella, as a compensatory response.
The nasalis is a small, thin muscle that wraps the upper portion of the nose. When it contracts, it creates short diagonal or horizontal folds on the sides of the nasal bridge — these are bunny lines, named because the movement resembles a rabbit's sniff. In most people, this movement occurs when they frown, scrunch the nose in disgust, smile broadly, or simply tighten the facial muscles.
What's clinically interesting: bunny lines don't always bother patients before they do botox. Often, they become more pronounced after glabellar treatment. The reason: when the corrugator (frown muscle) is weakened by botox, the nasalis "takes on" part of the expression — like a compensatory response. What used to be frowning in the glabella becomes scrunching at the nose.
This isn't a side effect of botox in the glabella — it is simply an exposure of a movement that was always there but wasn't prominent because the glabella "dominated" the expression. That's why many injectors treat the nasalis as a complementary area to the glabella — not as a standalone treatment.
The Treatment: Subtle and Precise Dosing
Botox for bunny lines is one of the technically simplest treatments, but it requires very precise dosing. The reason: the nasalis is a small muscle, and 2–4 units of botox per side (4–8 units total) are enough to achieve the desired effect.
The injection is usually given at one point on each side of the nasal bridge, in the upper part of the muscle. The depth is relatively shallow — the nasalis is a superficial muscle. Risks are minimal, and the effect appears within 3–5 days.
When to Add Bunny Lines to the Protocol
- When the patient already treats the glabella: and bunny lines have become more prominent as compensation. This is the most common scenario.
- When the lines bother the patient: some people have naturally prominent bunny lines, even without glabellar botox.
- As part of a comprehensive upper-face treatment: when treating forehead, glabella, and eyes — adding bunny lines gives a more harmonious result.
When not to treat
If bunny lines don't bother the patient — there's no reason to treat. Not every line requires botox. Gentle lines that appear with movement are part of natural facial expression, and sometimes they actually add character.
Bunny Lines vs. Other Areas: Comparison
| Parameter | Bunny Lines | Glabella | Forehead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle | Nasalis | Corrugator + procerus | Frontalis |
| Typical dose | 4–8 units (total) | 15–25 units | 8–20 units |
| Injection points | 1–2 per side | 3–5 | 4–8 |
| Standalone treatment? | Rarely — usually complementary | Yes, common | Almost always with glabella |
| Effect intensity | Subtle | Moderate–significant | Moderate |
Results and Limitations
The effect of botox on bunny lines is subtle. In most cases the lines don't disappear entirely — they soften. Movement still exists, but is reduced. That is exactly what is wanted: not a "fixed" face that doesn't move at all, but a reduction of excessive scrunching.
Duration is similar to other areas — 3–4 months. Patients who regularly treat the glabella with botox can add bunny lines at the same visit, without significantly extending treatment time.
Main limitation: if the lines on the nose are already "etched" — that is, clearly visible even at full rest — botox will prevent worsening but will not erase them. In such cases, we may need to combine additional approaches, such as improving skin texture or gentle filling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do bunny lines only appear after botox in the glabella?
No. Some people have prominent bunny lines without any prior treatment — it is simply their anatomy. But it is true that in many cases, they become more prominent after glabellar botox, because the nasalis "compensates" for the weakened corrugator. This is not a side effect — it is an exposure of a movement that was already there.
How many units are needed for bunny lines?
Very few — typically 2–4 units per side (4–8 total). This is one of the areas that requires the lowest dose. Moreover, an excessive dose can create an unnatural appearance around the nose, so restraint here isn't just a matter of caution — it is the correct approach.
Does the treatment hurt?
The nose area has moderate sensitivity, but the injection is so quick (two points, a few seconds) that most patients don't feel the need for numbing. It is one of the fastest and most comfortable treatments on the botox map.
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