What Are Bunny Lines?
Bunny lines are fine, slanted wrinkles that form on the sides of the upper nose when you smile, laugh, squint or scrunch your nose. A 2004 expert consensus on botulinum toxin describes them as lines that radiate downward on the sides of the nose.
Anatomy research points to the nasalis, a muscle on the side of the nose, as the main driver. Nearby muscles also pull on the skin. These include the procerus at the root of the nose, the inner fibers of the orbicularis oculi around the eye, and a small muscle that lifts the nostril and upper lip. Botulinum toxin injections, such as Botox, are a common treatment. The FDA hasn't approved Botox Cosmetic for bunny lines, so that use is off-label.
Bunny Lines at a Glance
| Also called | Nasal wrinkles or oblique nose furrows |
|---|---|
| Cause | Repeated contraction of the nasalis and nearby facial muscles |
| Where they appear | Both sides of the upper nose, between the bridge and the inner corners of the eyes |
| Are they serious? | They're considered an aesthetic concern. Insurance generally doesn't cover treatment for signs of aging. |
| Diagnosis | A face-to-face exam while you smile and scrunch your nose |
| Main treatment | Small botulinum toxin injections. Results last about 3 to 4 months. |
| FDA status | Botox Cosmetic is not FDA-approved for bunny lines. Its approved uses are frown lines, crow's feet, forehead lines and neck (platysma) bands. |
What Do Bunny Lines Look Like?
Bunny lines look like fine diagonal creases, at about a 45-degree angle, on both sides of the bridge of the nose. At first they show only with movement, such as smiling or scrunching your nose. Over time, repeated folding can turn them into lines that stay visible at rest.
What Causes Bunny Lines?
Bunny lines are caused by facial muscles repeatedly folding the thin skin on the sides of the nose. In a study of 39 cadavers and ultrasound scans of 13 volunteers, the skin where bunny lines form sat over an area with no muscle directly beneath it. The lines formed as surrounding muscles pulled on this area, with the nasalis playing the main role.
Several things add to wrinkles like these:
- Repetition: contracting the same muscles for many years makes the lines permanent.
- Sun and smoking: both speed up skin aging.
- Natural aging: skin becomes thinner and drier with time.
How Are Bunny Lines Treated?
Bunny lines are usually treated with small injections of botulinum toxin, which blocks nerve signals so the muscles that crease the skin can't contract as strongly.
- Before: your provider watches you smile and scrunch your nose to see which muscles pull hardest.
- During: a fine needle places a few tiny doses on each side of the nose. Between 2 and 5 units have commonly been used.
- After: most people return to everyday activities right away. Don't rub the area, and wait two hours before strenuous exercise.
Results and How Long They Last
Most people see results within 3 to 7 days and full results within 10 to 14 days. Improvement lasts about 3 to 4 months, sometimes longer. The safety of Botox Cosmetic dosing more often than every 3 months hasn't been studied.
In a study of 250 patients, 40% had satisfactory results after 3 units on each side, while 60% had some nose wrinkles left. Botulinum toxin may not work well for deep lines that stay visible at rest.
Risks and Side Effects of Bunny Line Treatment
Side effects of botulinum toxin for bunny lines are usually mild and temporary, such as swelling, redness, soreness or bruising at the injection sites.
- Nearby muscles: toxin that spreads can cause an uneven lip, a drooping nostril edge or lower-eyelid weakness. Double vision is uncommon.
- Rare but serious: the FDA label warns that the effect can spread beyond the injection site, causing trouble swallowing, speaking or breathing.
- Who shouldn't have it: people allergic to any botulinum toxin product or with an infection at the injection site, and people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a neuromuscular disease, weak facial muscles or drooping eyelids.
Can You Prevent Bunny Lines?
You can help prevent bunny lines by slowing premature skin aging, mainly with sun protection and by not smoking. Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, avoid tanning and stop smoking. Wearing sunglasses can help reduce lines caused by squinting.
When Should You See a Clinician About Bunny Lines?
See a clinician about bunny lines if they bother you. After any injection, get medical care right away for vision problems, drooping eyelids, or trouble swallowing, speaking or breathing.
Bunny Lines vs. Other Upper-Face Wrinkles
Bunny lines differ from other upper-face wrinkles in where they sit and which muscle causes them, and unlike frown lines and crow's feet, they aren't an FDA-approved use of Botox Cosmetic.
| Where | Main muscle | Botox Cosmetic FDA-approved? | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bunny lines | Sides of the upper nose | Nasalis, helped by nearby muscles | No (off-label) |
| Horizontal radix line | Across the root of the nose | Procerus | No (off-label) |
| Glabellar (frown) lines | Between the eyebrows | Corrugator and procerus | Yes |
| Crow's feet | Outer corners of the eyes | Orbicularis oculi | Yes |
Bunny Lines Evaluation at GENEVA
At GENEVA Primary Care & Med Spa in Alpharetta, GA, a provider evaluates your bunny lines and health history. Based on that evaluation, your provider recommends treatment at GENEVA or a referral to a specialist.
Learn more about botulinum toxin injections and primary care in Alpharetta. GENEVA serves patients from Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell and Cumming.
Related Terms
Bunny Lines FAQs
What causes bunny lines on the nose?
Bunny lines are caused by facial muscles, mainly the nasalis, repeatedly folding the thin skin on the sides of the nose when you smile, laugh or scrunch your nose. A 2025 anatomy study of 39 cadavers and 13 volunteers found no muscle directly beneath the skin where bunny lines form. Instead, surrounding muscles pull on that area from the edges. Thinning skin and years of repetition can turn them into permanent lines, and sun exposure and smoking speed up skin aging.
Does Botox work for bunny lines?
Yes, Botox often softens bunny lines, but results vary and the use is off-label. Botox Cosmetic is FDA-approved for frown lines, crow's feet, forehead lines and neck bands, not bunny lines. In a study of 250 patients who received 3 units on each side of the nose, 40% had satisfactory results, while 60% still had some nose wrinkles. Adding injection points based on each person's anatomy improved those remaining lines. Deep lines that show at rest may respond less well.
How long does Botox for bunny lines last?
Botox for wrinkles such as bunny lines usually lasts about 3 to 4 months, and sometimes longer. Most people notice results within 3 to 7 days, with full results visible in 10 to 14 days. With repeat treatments, the treated muscle may thin, which can make results last longer. The FDA label notes that the safety of Botox Cosmetic dosing more often than every 3 months hasn't been studied, so follow the schedule your provider recommends.
How many units of Botox are needed for bunny lines?
Bunny lines usually need only a few units of Botox, with doses of 2 to 5 units commonly used. In one large study, patients received 3 units on each side of the nose. Anatomy-based guides suggest about 1 to 2 units per injection point. Units are specific to each brand, so a Botox dose can't be converted directly to Dysport, Xeomin or another product. Your provider sets the dose after watching how strongly your muscles pull.
Are bunny lines permanent?
Bunny lines start as temporary lines that appear only with expressions, but they can become permanent over time. Contracting the same muscles for many years makes expression lines permanent, and thinning skin adds to this. Botulinum toxin relaxes the muscles for about 3 to 4 months, so it softens the lines but doesn't remove them for good. Daily sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and not smoking help prevent premature skin aging.
What is the difference between bunny lines and frown lines?
Bunny lines are slanted wrinkles on the sides of the upper nose, while frown lines (glabellar lines) are lines between the eyebrows. Bunny lines come mainly from the nasalis muscle, and frown lines come from the corrugator and procerus muscles. Botox Cosmetic is FDA-approved for moderate to severe frown lines, but treating bunny lines is off-label. A horizontal crease across the root of the nose is a third, separate line, caused mainly by the procerus. Several areas can be treated in one session.
Can a primary care provider treat bunny lines?
Yes, a trained provider in a medical setting can evaluate bunny lines and discuss treatment. At GENEVA in Alpharetta, a provider examines your face while you smile and scrunch your nose, reviews your health history, and then recommends treatment at GENEVA or a referral to a specialist. Botulinum toxin should never be injected at a non-medical spa, salon, party or someone's home. Tell your provider if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a neuromuscular disease.