I’ve tried just about everything, including Botox, to get rid of the 11 lines between my eyes. Knowing that people think you look angry, when really, you just squint in your sleep is super frustrating!
Though I’ve found Botox works, it’s expensive, it’s a neurotoxin, and when you start too young, you graduate quickly from “baby botox” to more and more and more. I decided this is better used when managing my vertical lines myself isn’t possible anymore.
Instead, I became an expert on what causes those dreaded lines and eliminating them at the source and with products.
Disclaimer: I’m NOT a doctor, just sharing what works for me for how to get rid of 11 lines naturally. With discipline, it is possible to get rid of frown lines naturally–but it will alter your routine depending on your personal causes. The good news: depending on why you have 11 lines (aka glabellar lines), you may not need every step I’ve needed to naturally treat and avoid the botulinum toxin.
Step 1: Know the why’s
First off, know how ‘deep’ your 11 lines go. Is this a psychological, medical, or just a wrinkle issue?
Some things to consider:
Stress
If you squint during the day because you are “tense” then perhaps high cortisol levels need to be brought down. You can do this by massage, deep breathing, “grounding” and enjoying nature away from our busy lives.
Diet
Diet can give you wrinkles or keep that free radical damage at bay. If you eat fried foods, sugar, drink lots of caffeine, have allergies, these can all be aggravators, even if you have a relatively healthy diet. My skin, forehead lines, and frown lines between the eyebrows always looks worse around Christmas due to the sugar I consume. These would all be examples of free radicals that cause oxidative stress and can cause damage to your DNA. As a result of age and damage, your body loses collagen and elastin.
Muscle tension
Personally, I have eye spasms (unintentional muscle contractions), migraines, and my lines decrease with antihistamines and anti-inflammatory meds. I used to treat my symptoms with traditional medicines, but I’ve since switched to pot (Yup! It works for me), herbs, and homeopathy.
THC can help pain, inflammation, be an antihistamine and muscle relaxer. My method is to ingest Wyld’s Strawberry Gummies about 5-6 hours before bed (again, consult your doctor before trying). Another way to block histamine reactions are with Quercetin, which I like to mix with anti-inflammatories turmeric and ginger. I have also found homeopathy to work well for me (my understanding is just put 1-4 pellets under your tongue to dissolve).
Muscle tension can also be a symptom of low magnesium levels (my doctor likes this complete magnesium for me). Taking that magnesium supplement has been huge for getting my muscles to relax.
Photosensitivity
If you have this and the muscle tension, be curious! Autoimmune diseases, Histamine Intolerance, etc., can cause photosensitivity, so your wrinkles could be a manifestation of something else entirely. Or perhaps just be a cause of squinting, which brings me to…
UV Rays and Squinting
Some people react to sun and light, which means wear sunglasses (and a hat) to avoid the impulse to squint. Also, stay away from laser treatments. Excessive sun is one culprit for crows feet and frown lines from that furrow of your brow. Bottom line: If you don’t already have a great skincare routine to combat the signs of aging, start finding the right products for you and make sure to don’t leave the house without sunscreen.
One caveat: You need vitamin D. 15 minutes a day of exposing your eyes and skin to unprotected sunlight will do the job according to Dr. Weil (and other medical professionals)–and no, I’m not saying look directly at the sun, just get out there and protect your circadian rhythm and skin in a balanced way. I’ve heard it said to look at your eyes like a clock. Your eyes tell your brain what time it is and everything else follows.
If you want to protect your skin from the sun completely, consider this vitamin d cream first thing in the morning.
Although sometimes those forehead muscles contract as an unconscious movement when concentrating–repeated movement (even raising your eyebrows) causes fine lines and wrinkles. It will require practiced effort to watch your facial expressions to prevent that frontalis muscle from overworking, and perhaps some help from the anti wrinkle tools below to prevent those forehead wrinkles from sticking around.
Side sleeping
This took me about a year to figure out. I couldn’t figure out why I had only one deep line in between my eyes when most people had two for 11 lines.
Getting rid of frown lines is tricky when you don’t know the source! Since you can’t control your actions when you sleep, using a physical preventative like the products I list below are crucial for preventing those static wrinkles.
I try to relax my parasympathetic nervous system at night by taking deep breaths and meditating when I am stressed (1 Peter 5:7). I massage my face, neck and shoulders before bed to relax my face (here’s a great tool) and slow the aging process.
Step 2: Find your Tools
Radio Frequency (1x a week)
Though I used to like microneedling (I wrote about it here) for deep lines, I’ve since moved onto less invasive treatment options to stimulate collagen production after reviewing Currentbody’s RF tool. Radio Frequency is surprisingly similar to the concept of microneedling in that it will stimulate production of collagen and elastin by creating micro injuries, but it’s a bit safer to do at home without having to visit your board certified dermatologist. If you have deep lines, this is worth your time. I have tried 2 radio frequency tools, but have learned that not all RF tools have been approved for the forehead area. The device I prefer is from Currentbody, since they have tested it for your entire face and neck and you only need to use it once a week. When my other tools fail, this one has my back–even with my repeated facial expressions remaining unchanged.
Red Light Therapy (3-4x a week)
All I can say is the anti aging benefits are WOW. I do this daily, so having a home device is essential. This was the final step I needed to eliminate the wrinkles between my eyes. Best part is you can do this while watching TV.
I’m currently using CurrentBody’s LED mask because you can just sit and let the magic happen. It also comes as a neck piece that you can do at the same time. Just make sure you move it around every minute or so to make sure the light gets in every crevice to stimulate collagen and elastin. Another option is this panel, which I prefer because it’s versatile depending on what’s going on with your skin that day. Until I got the panel, I was using the LED face/neck mask and a wand, but the panel does the job of all 3 for my purposes.
Update: I just wrote about How to use red light therapy if you aren’t sure which tool is best for you. I highlight what red light therapy does and how to use for each issue. Use code VANILLAFLEX to get $200 off the Dermalux panel or VANILLALED for 20% off the Masks.
Microcurrent (Daily)
Made famous by Jennifer Aniston. If your issue is muscular (squinting, tension, etc.), this step is miraculous! While Botox will freeze your muscles, microcurrent will ‘work out’ your muscles. It feels amazing if the muscles in your forehead and eye area are twitchy. I’ve reversed my eye sagging through daily use, since micro current ‘lifts’ everything up.
I used to use the Nuface Trinity with the ELE attachment for the eyes and the purse-sized wand, which I used for about 3 years. After testing both the ZIIP + NuFace, I have switched to the ZIIP Halo. See my review here (discount codes too!). I also wrote a comparison between the NuFace and the ZIIP Halo since I’ve used both. I’ve been using the ZIIP for over a year now and I won’t be going back due to the nanocurrent in ZIIP. I included my before and after photos in the reviews, which I think are pretty good considering I turn 40 next week. 😉
Acupuncture
This has really helped my migraines and muscle spasms. Even Forbes is talking about it.
Step 3: Find Your Products
Frownies
These little wrinkle patches act like a splint for your wrinkles, allowing collagen production to get in that crevice to repair those wrinkles overnight. My skin cells just needed a recharge break!
I particularly enjoy this original wrinkle patch (applied with rose-water), especially when my eyes are tired and need my facial muscles to take a necessary break.
These patches are removed with water in the morning. There is a reason they are the original–they’re the epitome of a ‘Frownies before and after’ commercial–they make your skin smooth by using your body’s natural response to repair. Very effective with even better results over a week. Just kinda unsightly around people. It looks like a big band aid.
I like this patch (bandaid self-adhesive style) because I don’t need water to remove it–great if I’m on vacation and need to yank it off quickly in the morning. Place patches before bed and always start with dry skin before applying. I find that they’re even more effective when I apply HA5 Serum first–just make sure to let your serums dry before application.
These are great to know about too if your eyes wrinkle easily. You can change the shape of the original patches to use on any facial wrinkle. I can say without a doubt they reduce 11 lines and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles when used regularly. They also have great customer service if you have any questions.
Peace Out Wrinkles
I alternate between these (also available on Ulta) and Frownies. I have both on hand typically. Though I do tend to like the clear Peace Out Wrinkle facial patches a little more than Frownies (they plump the skin with the retinol benefits), they are expensive, so I tend to use these when traveling, when I have an early morning, or when others may see my crazy routine and be less likely to notice because it doesn’t have a color to it. They also are removed very easily and quickly.
Pillows and Silk
If you squint in your sleep consider a pillow shaped for your beauty needs and/or a silk pillowcase (not satin). A silk pillowcase will allow for your skin to slide instead of get stuck in one position. While this won’t solve your problem, it won’t aggravate it further.
I got my striped eye mask from Silk Magnolia after using interviewing them on the benefits of silk. Slip also has a nice one you can get at Sephora.
Exfoliator
Sluffing off the old skin regularly keeps the wrinkles away. I wrote about how to improve skin texture here if you want to find an exfoliator that is great for your skin type. I’m still obsessed with Arcona’s Berry Gommage and the Gentle Solution.
Serums
I use a lot of serums and tend to rotate. TNS Essential Serum, Potency No.710’s Liquid gold (use code: THEVANILLAPLUM), and HA5 Serum have been miracle workers for me to build collagen and keep my skin hydrated (dehydrated skin makes wrinkles look deeper).
While you can find a cheaper HA serum, not all hyaluronic acids are made equally. Pay attention to the molecular structure and make sure you ALWAYS put a moisturizer on top of HAs. If you don’t want a moisturizer on top, use castor oil instead. I like to rotate my serums personally. I put my castor oil in my dropper bottles that are empty. My biggest advice is if your wrinkles look deeper after using a product, it’s probably the wrong product for your skin.
*I also find that the Gold Serum for my ZIIP Halo is an amazing serum that keeps my skin looking plump.
I put 3 of my favorite routine options in this article if you want the step by step.
Sunscreen
Too much sun exposure will always make wrinkles worse because of the UV damage. Make sure you have a sunscreen you love! Lately, I’ve been loving physical sunscreens because they work immediately and help prevent sun damage for treated and delicate skin.
My Favs
Tinted Sunscreens: Shaded by Potency710 and Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer
Invisible Physical Defense by Dermalogica (you can get it at Sephora or Ulta). Lately I’ve been obsessed with Sky and Sol–a clean, mineral sunscreen with zero white cast.
Post procedure mineral shield by Skinmedica (my mother-in-law’s fav) and their 50+ SPF is awesome.
SPECIAL PRICING FOR TVP READERS!!
Serum: I’ve been using Potency No.710 for years now and finally asked for a special code for you since I think it’s so healing. Just take one look at the before/afters and you’ll see why.
Use code THEVANILLAPLUM at checkout to receive member pricing without the membership fees!
Red Light Therapy: I’m kind of obsessed and once I started using different wavelengths and colors, I basically started a tool collection, which you can read about here. Since tools get very expensive, I am starting to ask for discount codes to make it a little more affordable. If you shop the Currentbody Facemasks or Dermalux, use these codes:
Dermalux: $200 off the Dermalux – use code VANILLAFLEX at checkout
Masks: 20% off discount – use code VANILLALED at checkout
ZIIP Halo Microcurrent: 10% off discount – use code VANILLAZIIP off ZIIP HALO and all ZIIP gels (my favorite gel is the silver one due to my sensitive skin) during checkout
Let me know if you try these methods below or show me your results with #livingplum on Instagram.
OMG THANK YOU!!!!!!! I just started doing the patches. My lines were better, but not perfect. After doing the red light therapy with HA at night they’ve practically disappeared!
I’m so glad you were able to mix and match based on your needs. 🙂
Great info! I’ve had my lines forever. Mine are definitely muscular too, so I’m going to try the frownies and micro current.Thanks!
I love this post! Thank you for these amazing tips! The light therapy mask sounds cool!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
The red light therapy is definitely a game changer. So glad you liked this post. 🙂
Thank you for this post.
It’s so interesting.
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
always 💜
I’ve been looking everywhere non-botox solutions!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!
You’re so welcome. Please come back and tell us what you tried/liked. 🙂
LOVE my peace out patches. You’re right, they’re kinda pricey on the daily. I’ve never heard of frownies but I’m gonna try them.
I’m so glad! Hopefully someday Frownies will come out with a silicone version with microneedling retinol that’s more affordable for daily use.
I have been concerned about my lines for awhile and was ready to give up and do botox. Not now. Regards for putting this up.
I get it! Botox is def a great choice when you’re over it. Glad to give you some ideas to work on the root cause and the quick fixes together. 🙂
How well does red light therapy and patches work on dark skin.
I wish I could answer this, but I can only answer for olive skin tones (since that’s what I have). I found this for you to help in the debate:
https://www.realself.com/forum/handheld-led-light-therapy-unit-hyperpigmentation
Love this article because I too am a one-lined side sleeper and fierce squinter 😀 Can you explain why you should always put a moisturizer over top of the HA’s? Would love to know why!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading and I can absolutely explain. I always add a layer of moisturizer over HAs to ensure that my product isn’t dehydrating my skin by reaching within my skin for more water. HAs grab water from the air and within your epidermis. There’s a large debate about HAs which you can read about here: https://skinsciencebymira.com/2021/03/02/why-harpers-bazaar-is-wrong-about-hyaluronic-acid/
I have read your article several months ago. I’m only 25 and since around 2 years ago i noticed this eleven line which seemed to appear out of no where. I usually squint when I’m stressed, i am a side sleeper and i have myopia – i got my glasses kinda late, so i definitely squinted over the years so i could see in the distance. My first thought was, it’s kinda early to have eleven lines at 23, I’m definitely not accepting this one.
So far i have used microneedle, retinol every night sunscreen almost everyday (I’m getting better!) And several other skincare like HA serum and vitamin C, yet, even if the line improved a little, i still feel like it’s there , and it bothers me.
After i read your article i bought very soon a red light lamp, which i admit, i still haven’t made a frequent habit to use, i will! But still, i felt like my eleven line was more of a bulging muscle than it was an indent in my skin. So from all the tips, i felt like microcurrent would be the only one for my current issue, while sunscreen, retinol, vitamin C, microneedle and red light therapy are more for the skin itself.
But, FINALLY, I just bought my first microcurrent device, it should arrive in 8 days or something and I’m soooo excited. I have been wanting to get one ever since i read your article.
So thank you thank you for writing this blog, otherwise i might have never tried to get together all these products. Now i only need to get consistent with red light therapy and microcurrent and I’m good to go
My only concern is that maybe I’m too young and I’ll see no difference. At the same time, most women my age don’t have an eleven line yet, so they see no difference because they literally have no wrinkles. You need an issue in order to solve something! (I thought)
Hi Irina, I’m so glad you commented. I can’t wait to hear about your results! You’ll have to come back and let us know which tools you’re seeing the most difference with.
Personally, I think you’ll see a difference much faster because you are young. As we age, our skin turnover is much slower and it takes longer. I think the microcurrent sounds right. It definitely sounds like the source of your lines are stress-induced and muscular. If you aren’t seeing a difference with the microcurrent and the product regimen, the red light therapy should finish the job.
If you still have issues after that, the thing I would personally add is patches (either the Frownies or PeaceOut microneedling patches) for when you side sleep–especially on nights you are stressed out. It’s just not possible to control our muscles when we sleep.
For me, I notice when I eat more sugar or have too much caffeine my lines get deeper too…sugar seems to make me squint more and give me tension headaches.
Definitely come back and tell us how it goes!
XOXO
I’m 72 had to get dentures made wrinkles 10 times worse around mouth and cheeks. Don’t want to go outside or around people. Which mask or hydrating seem and moisturizer
Hi Barbara,
If it were me, I would look into Frownies (this style or this one (applied with rosewater) or try both and see what works best at night for you) and HA5 from Skinmedica as a first line of defense.
For the HA5, I would use that day and night, just make sure you put a moisturizer over it. The HA5 will help your skin stay hydrated.
Personally, I think you should see some results after awhile with just those 2 changes, but everyone’s skin is different. For you, it sounds like you just need to give your wrinkles a break at night and the Frownies will do that. You’ll look funny at night 😉 but I’ve found them to be really effective.
From there, I would read the above post and build on that routine if you are seeing results, but you want more. I hope it works for you! XXX
Are you my long lost bestie?! A Christian who opts for the wrongfully stereotyped natural goodness over big pharma’s profiting pills to get a little R & R? I’ve often wondered if there was anyone else out there like me 🙂 I’m approaching 40 (in about 3 years! OMG!) & have spent years getting fillers & neurotoxins. I feel that it’s negatively impacted my brain & other areas while causing now consistent adult acne-like issues. I’m going to explore these options & hope to find a healthier more affordable solution. Thank you for sharing!
You totally made my day!! Thank you! I’m so glad that you’re taking a break from the fillers and neurotoxins. I definitely think there are better alternatives when you’re under 40.
I’m also wondering if your adult acne is actually rosacea or psoriasis…definitely check that out with your dermatologist! If it really is acne, blue light therapy would be great to consider.
Shameless plug: I’m in love with the Dermalux right now (red/blue/infrared light tool). It’s definitely more time consuming than fillers and neurotoxins but my skin looks better because of it. I run red/blue light together for my facial issues.
https://www.thevanillaplum.com/glamour/how-to-use-red-light-therapy-at-home-and-why/
Have you heard that dermaneedling can cause more wrinkles over time because it makes the stem cells regenerate faster? The cells get a certain number of regenerations, called the hayflick limit. When this limit is reached, they don’t regenerate anymore. So by poking needles into the skin, you are in fact regenerating collagen. But at the price of NOT being able to do so in the future. I’m not sure if this is true, but I’ve found it mentioned in a few places.
I haven’t heard of this before but it sounds right. I’ll look into it. I think this procedure isn’t meant to be done all the time. It’s not a replacement for a good skincare program, but a supplemental thing you can do when your skin needs a boost.
For me, I use microneedling mostly for scarring, not as a regular treatment. Since I need those scar cells to be removed, this makes sense for me.
Please Help! I am 60 years old and need to get rid of the 11 lines between my eyes ( one longer than the other) and forehead lines and saggy jowls.
It’s definitely harder to get rid of ‘established’ lines but I bet it’s possible! Which methods in the article did you try so far? I would definitely start with the Frownies. It’ll act like a splint for your lines and give the skin that’s creasing a chance to perk up and add some collagen.
This is my link for Frownies:
https://amzn.to/49olfDD
I think regular red light and micro current treatments would be good too, but the Frownies are the most budget friendly.
Hi! This article is very insightful and I plan to try many suggestions. Can you please elaborate more about how histamine intolerance can cause wrinkles? I just discovered after having a genetics test that I am histamine intolerant but I honestly haven’t done anything with that info yet except start to make a list of foods that contribute but it’s so many. Thank you!
Hi Randi,
Oh no! You poor thing. I have many histamine intolerances and experience joint pain when I eat things I shouldn’t. I have found that stress and histamine responses make me contract my muscles way more than normal. On days that I would take benadryl I noticed my brow was much more relaxed when I woke up in the morning.
The experiment to find out if that’s you is take an antihistamine. If the next morning you notice you brow doesn’t look quite as deeply wrinkled, perhaps this may be one of your causes.
Once you know if this is you, I would try some other antihistamines besides pharmaceuticals since they have horrible potential longterm side effects.
My most recent antihistamine find that I need to add to the article is a homeopathic:
https://amzn.to/3QAH6iA
I found it works pretty well. Same with Hista-aid:
https://amzn.to/3SFyI40
Love your article but how can i get the patches to clear off my 11 lines? I based here in Nigeria
Thank you
Hmmm. I’m looking into this but so far no luck. I’ll reply here if I see any way for you to get them!