Bunny lines are small diagonal wrinkles that form along the sides of the nose when you smile, laugh, or scrunch your face. For many people, they are subtle and visible only during expression. Over time, however, repeated muscle contraction and collagen loss may cause these lines to deepen or linger.
Bunny lines are a normal result of facial movement. Treatment focuses on softening excessive contraction of the nasalis muscle while preserving natural expression and facial balance.
Dynamic wrinkles caused by repetitive nasalis muscle contraction
Nasal wrinkles, nose scrunch lines
Reduce nasal sidewall creasing while maintaining natural facial movement
What Are Bunny Lines?
Bunny lines are dynamic wrinkles that form along the upper sides of the nose. They are created by repeated contraction of the nasalis muscle, which activates during smiling or nose scrunching.
Because these wrinkles are movement-related, they may initially appear only during expression. As collagen and elastin decline with age, the skin may not rebound as easily, allowing the lines to deepen or remain visible longer.
Why Bunny Lines Develop
Bunny lines typically develop due to a combination of muscle activity and skin aging.
Common contributing factors include:
Repetitive facial expressions
Strong nasalis muscle movement
Natural collagen loss
Sun exposure
Compensatory muscle activity after treatment of nearby areas
In some cases, when surrounding muscles are relaxed, the nasalis muscle may contract more prominently, making bunny lines more noticeable.
How Bunny Lines Can Affect Appearance
For many people, bunny lines are visible only while smiling. Over time, they may become more defined and create subtle creasing along the nasal sidewalls.
Some individuals feel these lines make the mid-face appear tense or overly animated. Treatment aims to soften excessive contraction while preserving the character of your expression.
How to Prevent Bunny Lines
Although facial movement cannot — and should not — be eliminated, certain measures can help slow progression.
Daily sunscreen:
UV exposure accelerates collagen breakdown and can contribute to deeper wrinkling.
Healthy lifestyle choices:
Avoiding smoking and maintaining consistent skincare supports elasticity.
Early muscle management:
Conservative neuromodulator treatment may reduce repetitive contraction before lines become etched into the skin.
What to Expect During a Consultation
During your consultation, your provider will evaluate:
Nasalis muscle strength
Facial symmetry and balance
Skin elasticity
Your goals for subtle refinement
Not every nasal wrinkle requires treatment. A personalized assessment ensures recommendations are aligned with natural anatomy and expression.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Treatment of bunny lines is about refinement, not freezing movement.
You will still smile. You will still have natural expression. The goal is to reduce excessive creasing so the area appears smoother and more balanced.
The most effective treatment depends on the depth of your lines, skin quality, and how long they’ve been present. A consultation allows your provider to assess nasalis muscle activity and determine the best approach.
Protecting your skin helps prevent bunny lines from worsening.
Daily sunscreen:
Broad-spectrum protection supports collagen preservation.
Skincare routine:
Retinol, peptides, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid may complement professional treatments and support overall skin quality.
Botox and Dysport are the most common and effective treatments for bunny lines.
How they work:
Botulinum toxin type A temporarily relaxes the nasalis muscle responsible for nasal sidewall creasing. When muscle contraction is reduced, the overlying skin appears smoother during expression.
Treatment details:
Quick in-office procedure (typically 10–15 minutes)
Small, precise injections placed along the nasal sidewalls
Most patients describe the sensation as a brief pinch
Results begin appearing within a few days
Full effect typically visible within 1–2 weeks
Results generally last 3–4 months
In many cases, only a small number of units are required per side due to the size of the muscle. Exact dosing varies based on muscle strength and anatomy.
Aftercare considerations:
Avoid rubbing or massaging the treated area
Remain upright for several hours
Resume most normal activities the same day
Important note about the nasal area:
The muscles around the nose coordinate closely with smiling and facial expression. Careful dosing is essential to soften bunny lines without affecting natural balance. Over-treatment can lead to asymmetry, which is why precision matters.
Best for:
Dynamic bunny lines (visible with expression)
Preventing lines from becoming static
Patients seeking a non-surgical, temporary option
If lines remain visible at rest after neuromodulator treatment, dermal fillers may be considered.
How they work:
Hyaluronic acid fillers provide subtle structural support beneath the skin to smooth etched creases. They are typically used in combination with neuromodulators rather than as a replacement.
Products used:
Sculptra may also be considered in select cases to stimulate collagen production gradually.
Best for:
Static lines that persist at rest
Patients seeking additional smoothing
Combination treatment approaches
MOXI is a gentle fractional laser that improves overall skin tone and texture with minimal downtime.
How it works:
Fractionated laser energy stimulates collagen production and promotes cellular turnover while leaving surrounding tissue intact for faster healing.
Best for:
Early signs of aging
Mild sun damage
Uneven texture
Maintenance treatments
In some cases, improving overall skin quality enhances results.
Chemical peels — Promote exfoliation and collagen renewal.
Microneedling — Stimulates collagen and elastin production.
Laser resurfacing — Addresses more significant skin changes and supports tightening.
Your provider will explain whether supportive treatments would benefit your individual goals.
Patients exploring bunny lines treatment often also ask about:
If bunny lines have become more noticeable or distracting, a consultation can help you understand your options. At Lazaderm, treatment recommendations are guided by anatomy, balance, and long-term skin health.
