If you crinkle your nose when you laugh or smile, you may notice small diagonal wrinkles at the sides of your nose that creep upward toward the inner corners of your eyes. Those are bunny lines. They can be charming and expressive, but for some people they linger even at rest or pull makeup into creases. Botox for bunny lines is a precise, low-dose treatment that softens these creases without freezing your smile. The key is a light touch and a clinician who understands nasal anatomy and facial balance.
I have treated hundreds of patients for bunny lines, and the most satisfied ones almost always say the same thing: they wanted their smile to look like theirs, just a bit smoother around the bridge. When the dosing and placement are right, friends notice a fresher look, not a procedure.
What exactly are bunny lines?
Bunny lines are the diagonal wrinkles that appear on the upper lateral nose when the nasalis muscle contracts, often during a smile, laugh, or nose scrunch. They can show up in your late 20s or early 30s as faint crinkles, then deepen with repeated expression and collagen loss. Certain habits can accentuate them, like frequent nose wrinkling, squinting, or strong facial animation during laughing. Some patients barely notice them until they start Botox for forehead lines or frown lines elsewhere. When the glabella and forehead are relaxed, the nasalis compensates more during certain expressions, and the bunny lines stand out.
A quick functional test: look in the mirror, smile naturally, then scrunch your nose without moving your lips. If you see those diagonal creases along the upper sides of the nose, you are looking at nasalis activity.
How Botox works for bunny lines
Botox is a purified neuromodulator that temporarily relaxes targeted muscles. In the case of bunny lines, the goal is to soften the transverse portion of the nasalis muscle that creates those diagonal folds. Tiny amounts of botox injections are placed at one or two points per side, just lateral to the nose bridge, to reduce the intensity of the scrunch without affecting the rest of your smile.
Results do not erase all movement. Used correctly, botox for wrinkles around the nose reduces the depth of the creases during expression and smooths the area at rest. Most patients still smile just as widely and naturally, and their cheeks still lift. The difference is a cleaner nose bridge and less bunching.
Dosing, placement, and technique that protect your natural expression
A conservative approach wins here. The skin is thin, and the muscle is small. Most people do well with 2 to 4 units per side, often totaling 4 to 8 units. A petite patient or someone trying baby botox might start at 1 to 2 units per side. If you have strong, etched-in lines, you may need the higher end of that range or a second visit for a touch up after two weeks.
Placement matters more than the number of units. A careful injector palpates the nasalis during animation to find the active area. The injection is superficial. Going too low or too lateral risks diffusion into the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, which helps lift the upper lip and the side of the nose. That can cause a subtle drop in the upper lip or change a gummy smile correction if you’ve had gummy smile botox recently. Precision avoids those trade-offs.
I also consider what else you have treated. If you’ve received botox for crow’s feet or a small eyebrow lift botox, the dynamics around the midface shift. Sometimes I adjust the bunny line plan to keep facial balance. A face is a system, not a set of parts.
Who is a good candidate?
If you can see bunny lines during a natural smile or nose scrunch and they bother you in photos or makeup, you are a candidate. First time botox patients often start with frown lines or forehead lines, then add bunny lines once they notice the contrast. Men and women both benefit. Patients with very strong midface animation, performers who do expressive comedy or theater, or anyone who relies on nuanced facial expression can still be treated, but the dosing stays at the lower end with careful follow up.
A few scenarios call for caution. If you have chronic nasal obstruction and rely on subtle nose flaring to breathe comfortably during exercise, we keep doses minimal and avoid diffusion near the lateral nasal sidewall. If you’ve had recent nasal surgery or fillers along the nose bridge, timing and placement require coordination with your surgeon or injector.
What to expect at the appointment
A typical botox appointment for bunny lines takes 10 to 15 minutes. After photographs and consent, your provider asks you to scrunch your nose. Two fine needle pinpricks on each side place the medication into the most active part of the nasalis. The sensation is a quick sting that fades in seconds. You can head back to work immediately. Makeup can be applied lightly after a few hours, once the skin has settled.
Bruising is uncommon but possible given the small vessels in the area. If a pinpoint bruise occurs, it’s usually easy to cover and resolves within a few days. Swelling is minimal, most often gone within an hour.
When you see results and how long they last
You may feel a slight softening of movement in 2 to 3 days. The full effect typically settles by day 7 to 14. Those early selfies people send on day 4 often show a subtle improvement, but it’s at the two week mark that you’ll know whether you want a touch up. A small top-up of 1 to 2 units per side can refine symmetry or add a little more smoothing if needed.
How long does botox last in this area? Most patients maintain results for 3 to 4 months. Some stretch to 5 months if they started with light lines and avoid heavy animation. With consistent botox maintenance over a year or two, the muscle can weaken slightly, and etched lines soften, so you may need fewer units or less frequent visits.
Safety, side effects, and how to avoid problems
Botox cosmetic treatment for bunny lines has a strong safety record when performed by trained professionals. Side effects are usually mild and transient: a small bruise, brief tenderness, a temporary headache. The main risk is diffusion into adjacent muscles. If the product spreads too low or too lateral, you might notice a small change in your smile or upper lip movement. That effect would be temporary, generally resolving as the botox wears off, but prevention is better. Superficial placement, minimal volume, and correct mapping of the injection sites are non-negotiable.
Patients sometimes ask if botox is safe long term. Decades of therapeutic botox and cosmetic use suggest yes for healthy candidates. The doses used for bunny lines are very low compared to medical indications like migraines botox treatment or hyperhidrosis botox treatment for underarm sweating, where totals can exceed 100 units. If you have a neuromuscular disorder, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a history of allergic reaction to botulinum toxin, you should avoid treatment and discuss alternatives.
Aftercare that actually matters
Most aftercare for botox is practical common sense. Treat the area gently for the first day. Avoid vigorous rubbing, facials, or devices that press on the bridge or sides of the nose. Skip a hot yoga class or a long, face-down massage for 24 hours. You can work out after botox the next day without worry. Alcohol can increase bruising in the short window after injections, so if you ask, can you drink after botox, the safest answer is to wait until the evening or the next day.
If you use retinoids or exfoliants, pause for the day and restart the following evening. Any small bumps at the injection sites flatten within an hour. Mild redness fades quickly.
Natural looking results: what it means and how to ask for it
Natural looking botox does not remove your personality. For bunny lines, it means the nose no longer creases like an accordion during a smile, but you can still crinkle a bit when you laugh hard. A seasoned injector will watch you speak and smile from multiple angles. If you have distinct asymmetry, they will tailor the units per side. Micro adjustments matter. Two units versus three per side can be the difference between smooth and flat.
If you prefer subtle botox results, say so. Ask your provider for a conservative first session with a planned review at two weeks. This is the essence of baby botox: lower initial dosing with a bias toward expression, then titrate up only if needed.
Integrating bunny line treatment with the rest of your face
Patients rarely treat bunny lines in isolation. They often come in for botox for crow’s feet or frown lines, then notice the nose wrinkles. Harmonizing the upper third and midface produces the most satisfying before and after comparisons. When the forehead, glabella, and bunny lines are balanced, the eye area looks brighter without looking wide-eyed.
If you are considering botox and fillers together, sequence matters. Hyaluronic acid fillers for the tear troughs or cheeks can support the midface and soften the pull that accentuates bunny lines. I prefer to place fillers first when indicated, then reassess muscle activity a week or two later before setting botox injection sites. That order reduces the chance of chasing small imbalances with neuromodulator.
Cost, units, and how to budget
How much does botox cost for bunny lines? Pricing varies by clinic and city, but because the area requires few units, it tends to be one of the most affordable cosmetic botox treatments. Practices charge either per unit or per area. Per unit pricing might range from 10 to 22 dollars in many markets. If you need 4 to 8 units total, your cost could land in the 40 to 175 dollar range. Per area pricing sometimes sets a flat fee, often similar in total. Ask whether a two week touch up is included in your botox package deals or membership, and whether the clinic guarantees adjustments for symmetry.
Patients who like consistent, predictable maintenance often choose a botox membership for modest savings and priority scheduling. It’s not necessary, but if you plan to maintain results quarterly, it can help.
Consultation pointers that make your results better
A targeted consultation pays off. Bring a photo of yourself smiling that shows what bothers you. Describe how animated you are at work or in social settings. If you are a teacher who projects across a room or someone who laughs easily, your dosing may lean lighter to preserve that communication style. Share your history of botox for forehead lines, frown lines, crow’s feet, or a lip flip botox, and when those treatments occurred. Timing relative to bunny lines can affect planning.
Two concise lists can help you and your injector get on the same page.
- Key questions to ask at your botox consultation: How many units do you typically use per side for bunny lines in a case like mine? Where will you place the injections, and why those points? What are the likely side effects specific to my anatomy? If I want a subtle result, can we start conservatively and reassess in two weeks? How do you handle touch ups and asymmetry adjustments? What to share with your injector before treatment: Any previous botox and fillers, dates, and doses if you have them History of bruising or bleeding issues, and current medications or supplements Recent illnesses, pregnancy planning, or breastfeeding Past nasal surgery or trauma Your priority expressions to preserve during smiling and laughter
Comparing products: Dysport vs Botox vs Xeomin
Patients sometimes ask whether Dysport vs botox or Xeomin vs botox makes a difference for bunny lines. All are FDA approved neuromodulators with similar mechanisms. Differences show up in diffusion characteristics and onset. Dysport may have a slightly faster onset for some and a broader spread at equivalent dosing, which can be either a benefit or a risk in a small area like the nose. Xeomin is a purified formulation without accessory proteins, useful for patients concerned about antibody formation, though that is rare at cosmetic doses. Many injectors prefer classic botox here because of its predictable, tight effect on small muscles. What matters most is the injector’s comfort and experience with the product in this specific area.
How bunny lines intersect with other niche treatments
Small, specialized treatments often overlap. A patient receiving masseter botox for jawline slimming might notice a new awareness of midface movements, including bunny lines, because the lower face is quieter and the eye goes to the nose and eyes. Someone using botox for chin dimpling or a subtle neck botox for vertical bands may benefit from harmonizing the nose scrunch if photos show multiple competing lines.
Therapeutic cases deserve attention too. TMJ botox treatment for jaw clenching involves higher total units in the masseters and sometimes temporalis muscles. With that much lower-face relaxation, we often revisit the upper midface to keep expressions coherent. The same logic applies for migraines botox treatment, where the total units can be substantial. Your provider should coordinate the map of injection sites so one region does not look frozen while another remains highly animated.
How often to get botox and what long-term maintenance looks like
The sweet spot for most people is every 3 to 4 months. Some patients treat just before major life events, then let it wear off. Others prefer steady, preventative botox to discourage lines from etching deeper. There is no single best age to start botox. If faint lines linger at rest and you want to keep skin smooth, early, low-dose treatments can help. If you already have etched lines, regular sessions combined with skincare and sometimes gentle resurfacing produce the best botox results over time.
As the nasalis quiets, you may notice different areas come into focus. That’s normal. A personalized botox plan evolves. Keep an eye on symmetry and expression in videos, not just photos. Movement tells the truth.
Choosing the right clinician
All injectors are not interchangeable. For a small, high-precision area like bunny lines, technique carries more weight than price. Look for a clinician who shows consistent before and after images of this exact treatment. The best botox clinic for you is one that asks questions about how you animate and explains the plan in plain language. The best botox doctor or experienced nurse injector will decline to overtreat and will favor staged dosing, especially for first timers.
If you are searching phrases like botox near me for wrinkles or affordable botox, filter your options by training and outcomes, not just botox deals. A small cost saving can be erased by a heavy-handed result that takes months to soften.
Skincare and lifestyle that support smoother bunny lines
Neuromodulators handle the muscle. Skin quality still matters. Retinoids, vitamin C, and daily sunscreen improve collagen and reduce the tendency for fine lines to etch. Hydrating serums keep makeup from settling. If you are outdoors often, sunglasses that fit well and reduce squinting protect both crow’s feet and the upper nose area. For patients with oily skin or enlarged pores on the nose and cheeks, micro botox or botox for pore reduction can complement standard dosing, though that’s a different technique and should be discussed separately.
Sleep position plays a small role too. Face-down sleepers can create pressure lines around the nose that emphasize asymmetry. A side-sleeper pillow or a small adjustment in position helps.
When botox isn’t enough
Deeply etched bunny lines that show at rest after years of animation may not fully smooth with neuromodulator alone. In these cases, a combined approach works best. Light fractional laser or microneedling improves the dermal matrix. A micro-drop of hyaluronic acid placed strategically, far from the high-motion zone, can lift a stubborn crease. This is finesse work and should be done by someone comfortable with advanced botox techniques and conservative filler use in the midface.
Some noses have structural deviations or old scars that mimic bunny lines. If the crease is actually a scar line, botox won’t correct it. A tiny bit of filler or scar subcision might be better. An honest consultation should identify that pattern before you spend on the wrong solution.
Practical timeline and expectations
Plan your botox appointment 2 weeks before a photo-heavy event. You’ll have time to see the full effect and request a small adjustment if needed. If you’re layering on other treatments like a lip flip botox, spacing them in the same visit is fine when planned; your injector simply maps interactions so the upper lip and nose harmonize.
Expect to feel normal almost immediately. Most people forget they had the treatment until they notice in a mirror that their smile looks a touch more polished. During the first week, you might test your scrunch in private and think it feels different. That’s the point. In public, no one else knows why your photos look better.
Realistic outcomes and the art of restraint
I sometimes meet patients who want every line gone. That is rarely the best path. Completely blocking the nasalis can create an odd stillness across the bridge that draws attention. The art is to let the face speak while removing the visual noise. Think attenuation, not erasure. If your injector shares that philosophy, you are aligned for natural results.
Quick reference: units, onset, duration, and downtime
- Typical units: 4 to 8 total for both sides, with 1 to 4 units per side depending on strength Onset: noticeable by day 2 to 3, full effect by day 7 to 14 Duration: 3 to 4 months for most, sometimes longer with regular maintenance Downtime: essentially none, light aftercare for 24 hours
The bottom line
Botox for bunny lines is a small treatment with outsized impact in photographs and daily expression. When Burlington botox reviews a skilled injector uses low, precise doses, you keep your smile and lose the distracting creases along the nose. The experience should feel easy: a brief appointment, subtle changes that settle over a week, and smooth skin that lasts several months. If you’re already managing botox for frown lines, crow’s feet, or a brow lift, consider adding bunny lines at your next botox appointment to complete the picture. Choose expertise over bargains, aim for subtle, and give the result two weeks to show you how much cleaner your smile can look.