Dynamic Wrinkles: What They Are and How to Treat Them

Posted: June 22, 2026

Have you ever woken up one day in your late 20s, 30s, or even 40s wondering if lines literally appeared on your face overnight? These lines, also known as expression lines or dynamic wrinkles, develop throughout the aging process and can also be affected by genetics and lifestyle. Fortunately, there are lifestyle modifications and in-office treatments available as treatment options for these wrinkles.

By: Kaitlyn

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What Are Dynamic Wrinkles?

Dynamic wrinkles are caused by repeated facial expressions in an area. As a Nurse Practitioner in aesthetics, I most commonly see dynamic wrinkles in the:

Crow’s Feet

The crow’s feet are the lines that fan out from the eyes, especially around the corners and right underneath the eye. These lines are primarily caused by smiling and laughing but can also be exaggerated while squinting. The Crow’s Feet is a very unique area, as these muscles do not activate during negative emotions like frustration or sadness. They are primarily responsible for positive emotions like happiness.

Frown Lines (aka “11s” or “glabella”)

The frown lines are formed from three separate muscles. These muscles activate for actions of concentration, concern, sadness, or frustration. Some patients truly develop a set of 11s, while others only develop one prominent horizontal crease/

Forehead Lines

These horizontal lines above the eyebrows develop from raising the brows commonly during expressions of excitement or surprise.

Smile Lines

Smile lines are the vertical folds that extend from the nose down to the corners of the mouth. These folds develop over time from smiling, sleeping on the stomach or side at night, and the shifting of fat pads.

Perioral Lines (aka “smoker’s lines” or “lipstick lines”)

These vertical lines around the border of the mouth (on the upper and lower lip) form when the muscle around the mouth contracts, pulling the lips inward. Decades ago, these lines were commonly referred to as the smoker’s lines or lipstick lines as women were often engaged in these activities. Even though these repeated actions certainly accentuate these lines, the development of these lines purely comes down to genetics. These lines can also become more noticeable from consistently drinking from straws.

What Can I Do for Dynamic Wrinkles?

Most often, patients ask me how to you get rid of wrinkles around the mouth area. Since the lower face moves the most throughout the day with eating, drinking, and talking, the lower face wrinkles can often be more noticeable. In fact, smile lines and perioral lines are the two most requested treatment areas in my female patients in their 50s, 60s, and 70s.

Luckily, there are treatment options for all of the above dynamic wrinkle areas! The best treatment option for the crow’s feet, frown lines, forehead lines, and perioral lines is neuromodulators such as Botox or Dysport. Botox and Dysport act as muscle relaxers. If these products are injected at too high of a dose, they can freeze the muscles. However, at Atalo Aesthetics, our goal is never to freeze the muscle but to relax the muscle. By training the muscles to not hold so much tension, the dynamic wrinkles will slowly reverse. In addition, Botox and Dysport can be used to prevent future lines from forming! This means that Botox and Dysport are appropriate for many age groups, as younger patients use Botox or Dysport as prevention, whereas middle-aged to older patients use Botox or Dysport as a treatment.

Now smile lines can be dynamic wrinkles, but since other factors enhance them, such as the shifting of fat pads, Botox and Dysport are not an appropriate treatment option. If these products are used in this area, the smile can be significantly affected negatively. I always tell patients who have concerns with this area to sleep on their back or at least not bury their face in a pillow at night if they are side sleepers. In addition to this lifestyle modification, products such as filler or Sculptra can replace lost volume in these areas to smooth out the fold. Both filler and Sculptra require yearly maintenance, but both options keep the face youthful-looking and natural.

Can Dynamic Wrinkles Ever Go Fully Away?

Dynamic wrinkles CAN go fully away as long as maintenance Botox or Dysport treatments are done. As patients begin their Botox or Dysport journey at Atalo Aesthetics, I spend time educating them at their initial appointment regarding a recommended schedule. It is important to have Botox or Dysport treatments every 3 months for the first few years. This recommended schedule is also supported by the FDA, as both Botox and Dysport are approved to be administered every 90 days. Maintaining a consistent 3-month schedule ensures the muscles are treated properly. As the muscles relax and begin to not hold so much tension, sometimes the schedule can be adjusted to have treatments completed every 4 months or even 5 months.

Occasionally I have new patients who are hesitant with the recommended 3-month schedule. They often ask if they can come in less often. However, when the Botox or Dysport treatment is improperly spaced out to 5 or even 6 months, the muscles do not stay relaxed, and the dynamic wrinkles will return. Think of treating dynamic wrinkles like going to the gym for fitness goals. In order to achieve muscle tone, consistent workouts are needed and then maintained once the goals are achieved. This is the same approach to treating dynamic wrinkles in the face.

a close up of a microneedling treatment on a woman's forehead.

Are There Other Treatments Besides Botox or Dysport That Can Treat Dynamic Wrinkles?

Even though Botox and Dysport are the best treatment options for dynamic wrinkles, other treatments, such as lasers, peels, and microneedling, can also be helpful. As dead skin builds up on the surface of the face, wrinkles can become more prominent. Using lasers, peels, or microneedling removes the stratum corneum, the skin’s top layer, allowing fresh, healthier skin cells to surface. Since these skin cells are healthier, their texture is less prominent.

It is important to highlight that even though these treatments are beneficial, they cannot smooth out the lines nearly as efficiently as Botox or Dysport. Therefore, it is important to lower expectations from these treatments.

Additional Considerations for Exfoliating Treatments

In addition, it is important to keep in mind these treatments are not suitable year-round. There are sun-exposure restrictions that often prevent patients from getting these treatments during the summer months. It is best to wait until fall when the weather cools off, and the skin has returned to its baseline color.

To achieve the best possible results, a combination of these exfoliating treatments with Botox or Dysport can be used. By relaxing the muscles and keeping the skin exfoliated, the skin achieves its healthiest complexion.

Creating A Personalized Treatment Plan For Dynamic Wrinkles

If you are interested in treating dynamic wrinkles on your face but are unsure where to start, it is best to schedule a consultation with a trained provider. At Atalo Aesthetics, our Nurse Practitioners use the Visia Facial Analysis system during consultations to capture the most accurate photos of the skin. Throughout the treatment process, maintenance photos are taken to monitor progress and ensure appropriate results are being achieved. Regardless of your age, appearance of dynamic wrinkles, or budget, a customized plan can be created for you. Schedule a consultation today!