Bunny Lines Botox in Irvine, CA — Smooth the Wrinkles Across Your Nose

Bunny lines are caused by repeated contraction of the nasalis muscle — specifically its transverse head, which runs diagonally across the nasal bridge and sidewall. When the nose is wrinkled expressively, the transverse nasalis contracts and gathers the skin of the nasal sidewall into diagonal creases that fan outward from the nasal bridge. Over time, repeated contraction deepens these creases into the skin.

Bunny lines are common in patients who have had glabella Botox — when the corrugator supercilii is relaxed, some patients unconsciously recruit the nasalis to compensate, producing lines that were not visible before treatment. In these patients, adding a small amount of Botox to the transverse nasalis at the same glabella session prevents this compensatory wrinkle pattern from developing.

In patients without prior Botox, prominent bunny lines at rest reflect either a strong or habitually active transverse nasalis, thinner skin on the nasal sidewall that shows creasing more readily, or a combination of both.

The transverse nasalis is a thin muscle running diagonally, and its injection point must be precise to target the muscle belly without affecting adjacent structures. The levator labii superioris alaeque nasi — the muscle that elevates the upper lip and nostril — passes nearby. Injecting too close to the alar crease or too inferiorly can partially relax this muscle, producing temporary drooping of the upper lip or altered nostril shape during smiling.

Dr. Munib places the injection point on the transverse nasalis approximately at the level of the inferior end of the nasal bone — above the alar crease and lateral to the nasal tip. The dose is kept low, typically 2 to 4 units per side, and placed superficially to remain in the nasalis rather than penetrating deeper where the levator lies. Patients with a narrow nasal bridge or thin nasal sidewall skin require particular care in placement.

Because the nasalis is a small muscle with limited mass, the result from a well-placed, low-dose treatment develops within seven days and typically lasts three to four months.

Bunny lines are often treated alongside frown lines and crow's feet for a balanced upper face.

Glabella Botox — frown lines and the 11s.

Crow’s Feet Botox — smile lines around the eyes.

Botox & Dysport Treatments — the full Botox treatment hub.

Most patients see results begin at 3–5 days post-treatment with full effect at 2 weeks, lasting 3–4 months. Duration depends on dose, individual metabolism, and muscle activity — Dr. Sabeen Munib, MD reviews maintenance timing at follow-up and adjusts dose at the next session if needed.

Patients with visible bunny lines on smile or scrunch who want softening without erasing animation are candidates for microdroplet treatment. Whether bunny lines Botox is right for you depends on the muscle pattern, adjacent treatment history, and goals — assessed by Dr. Munib before any dose is decided.

Common transient effects include mild injection-site swelling and bruising for 1–7 days. Rare events include diffusion to adjacent muscles causing temporary nasal flare changes or brow asymmetry, which is why microdroplet technique and physician-level placement matter. Dr. Sabeen Munib, MD performs every bunny lines treatment personally.

If you notice diagonal creases on the sides of your nose during smiling or squinting — or if bunny lines have appeared after starting glabella Botox — a consultation at Spectrum Skin Clinic will assess whether adding a small nasalis dose to your next appointment is the right adjustment. Dr. Sabeen Munib sees patients in Irvine, CA. Most bunny lines consultations are brief additions to an existing upper face Botox review.