Expression Lines That Stand Out in Summer — How We Approach Botox

Hello. This is Dr. Kim Yeon-jin, director of UHCELL Clinic Gangnam, where we focus on each person’s own beauty.

When summer comes, more people visit the clinic worried about expression lines:

• “From squinting in the sun, my glabellar lines feel deeper.”
• “When I smile, the fine lines around my eyes stand out more.”
• “Even at rest, it feels like a wrinkle mark is left.”

Expression lines are natural lines made when you make expressions, but as they repeat and deepen, marks start to remain even at rest.
Today I’ll talk about why expression lines stand out in summer and how best to approach botox.

Why do expression lines stand out in summer?

There’s a reason expression lines bother people in summer.

When sunlight is strong, you naturally squint more often, folding the same muscles repeatedly.

And when UV weakens dermal collagen (the protein that supports firmness), the folded lines don’t smooth out and are more likely to stay.

• Strong sun means more squinting, using the same muscles repeatedly
• UV weakens collagen, so lines smooth out less
• Add dryness, and fine lines stand out more

So summer expression lines often aren’t “sudden” — muscle movement and skin condition overlap to make them more visible.

Are there different types of wrinkles?

Not all wrinkles are the same. When the cause differs, the approach changes too.

• Dynamic wrinkles (expression lines): formed when muscles fold during expressions — glabella, forehead, crow’s feet are typical
• Static wrinkles: those that remain even at rest as time passes
• Wrinkles from loss of firmness: fine, overall crinkling as collagen decreases

Botox is a concept that mainly approaches dynamic wrinkles formed by muscle movement.
Meanwhile, already-set static wrinkles or loss of firmness have limits with botox alone, so distinguishing them comes first.

Can home care smooth expression lines?

This doesn’t mean home care is meaningless. The basics are built at home.

• Daily UV protection (the most basic way to slow wrinkles and firmness loss)
• Enough moisture so fine lines stand out less
• Reducing the habit of unconscious squinting

Still, there are clear limits.

Temporary fine lines from dryness may become less visible with moisture.
But dynamic wrinkles formed by muscles folding repeatedly are hard to change with topicals, which can’t alter the muscle movement itself.

That’s exactly why so many people say, “I apply good products, but my glabellar lines stay the same.”

How does a clinic approach botox?

The core of clinical botox isn’t “putting in a lot” but “the right muscle, the right amount.”

Botox is used on the idea of softening the movement of muscles that fold excessively, helping wrinkles form less.

Here is something I want to share honestly.

• The effect isn’t permanent; it gradually returns over time (individual variation)
• Putting in too much can make expressions look unnatural, so a conservative design is safer for a natural look
• The area and dose vary with your expression habits and muscle state

Type	Key point
Dynamic wrinkles	Soften the movement of repeatedly folding muscles
Natural expression	Not excessive, only where needed

That’s why I believe the most important thing in botox isn’t the dose, but the process of first reading “which muscles create wrinkles in your expressions.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does one botox session last forever?

It isn’t permanent. Muscle movement gradually returns over time, and how long it lasts varies widely by individual. The cycle and dose are best decided through a specialist consultation.

Won’t botox make my expressions unnatural?

Putting in too much can feel that way. That’s exactly why we design conservatively — only the amount needed where needed — prioritizing a natural look. There is individual variation, so a consultation is needed.

Is it okay to get botox in summer?

More important than the season are your skin’s condition and your schedule. That said, UV protection and moisturizing matter more after a procedure, so it’s best to consider your lifestyle too. We recommend a specialist consultation.

Can botox smooth already-deep wrinkles?

It can help with dynamic wrinkles formed by muscles, but already-set static wrinkles have limits with botox alone. It’s accurate to first distinguish the wrinkle type before approaching it.

※ Effects and how long they last vary by individual; for an accurate assessment, please consult a specialist.