Bunny lines — wrinkles that appear on the bridge of the nose when smiling, scrunching, or laughing — are often overlooked but visible cosmetic concerns. Korean clinics treat them with precise, conservative Botox dosing as part of comprehensive facial rejuvenation. This guide covers the technique and considerations.
What bunny lines are
- Diagonal wrinkles across the nose bridge.
- Appear when smiling or scrunching nose.
- Caused by nasalis muscle contraction.
- Become more visible with age.
- Sometimes appear at rest in older patients.
- Cute when subtle, concerning when prominent.
Why they form
Anatomy
- Nasalis muscle (compressor naris).
- Wraps across nose dorsum.
- Contracts during smiling, sneezing, scrunching.
- Repeated contraction folds skin.
Aging and habit
- Skin elasticity loss with age.
- Repeated contraction patterns.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Sun damage compounds.
Treatment approach
Botulinum toxin
- Primary treatment.
- Relaxes nasalis muscle.
- Reduces wrinkle visibility.
- Conservative dosing critical.
- Subtle effect preferred.
Injection technique
- 2 injection points typically (one each side).
- 1–3 units per side.
- Lateral aspect of nose dorsum.
- Above the bony nose bridge.
- Conservative initial dose.
Important considerations
- Avoid injection too low (affects upper lip).
- Stay above bony bridge.
- Don\'t inject into central area (affects mouth).
- Bilateral symmetric treatment.
- Touch-up at 2 weeks if needed.
Korean approach refinements
Conservative dosing
- Lower doses than glabella.
- Preserves normal facial movement.
- Subtle effect preferred.
- Avoid frozen-look at all costs.
Combined facial treatment
- Often combined with glabella Botox.
- Combined with crow\'s feet.
- Comprehensive upper-face treatment.
- Single visit efficient.
Touch-up philosophy
- 2-week assessment standard.
- Adjust dose if needed.
- Conservative initial approach.
- Better to under-correct.
Common combinations in Korean clinics
"Upper face package"
- Glabella Botox.
- Forehead Botox.
- Crow\'s feet Botox.
- Bunny lines Botox.
- Comprehensive upper-face anti-aging.
"Smile refinement"
- Crow\'s feet + bunny lines.
- Address smile-related wrinkles.
- Conservative subtle approach.
- Natural movement preservation.
Treatment timing
Onset
- Days 4–7: effect emerging.
- Day 14: full effect.
- Months 3–4: gradual return.
- Repeat at 4 months typical.
For prevention
- "Baby Botox" approach.
- Minimal doses.
- Prevent permanent line formation.
- Annual maintenance for younger patients.
Pricing in Korean clinics 2026
- Bunny lines alone: ₩50,000–₩150,000 per session.
- Combined upper face Botox: ₩300,000–₩700,000.
- Premium clinics or brands higher.
- Maintenance: ~₩300,000–₩900,000 annually.
Side effects
- Mild bruising at injection sites.
- Brief headache (rare).
- Asymmetric effect (correctable at touch-up).
- Drift to nearby muscles (rare with proper technique).
- Allergic reaction (very rare).
Common mistakes
Excessive dosing
- Loss of normal smile movement.
- Unnatural appearance.
- Affects breathing or upper lip.
Wrong injection placement
- Too low affects upper lip.
- Too central affects mouth.
- Bilateral asymmetry from technique error.
Skipping bunny lines treatment
- Visible during smiling photos.
- Often unaddressed in standard Botox treatment.
- Worth identifying and treating.
For prevention vs treatment
Younger patients (20s–30s)
- "Baby Botox" preventive.
- Lower doses.
- Prevent line formation.
- Annual treatment.
Established lines (30s+)
- Standard Botox doses.
- Combined with skin treatments for static lines.
- Maintenance approach.
What patients should know
- Often overlooked area.
- Conservative treatment looks most natural.
- Combined with other facial Botox typically.
- Touch-up at 2 weeks important.
- Worth addressing for comprehensive result.
For international patients
- Same-day treatment.
- No downtime.
- Easy add-on to other procedures.
- Korean prices very competitive.
- Touch-up may require return trip.
The honest framing
Bunny lines are often overlooked in standard Botox treatment but represent a worthwhile addition for comprehensive facial rejuvenation — particularly for patients prominent in their smile lines. The patients who benefit are those whose nasal scrunching produces visible wrinkles affecting smile photos and overall facial appearance. Conservative Korean dosing preserves natural facial movement while smoothing the visible lines. As part of comprehensive upper-face Botox treatment, bunny lines treatment adds polish that single-area approaches miss.