Written and medically reviewed by Hassan Khan, MPharm — independent prescriber (GPhC registration 1126145).

What are “the 3 areas”?

When people talk about “the three areas” for anti-wrinkle injections, they almost always mean the three parts of the upper face where expression lines tend to show first: the forehead, the frown lines between the brows, and the crow’s feet around the eyes. Clinics often describe treatment as one, two or three areas — simply meaning how many of these are treated in a session. You do not have to treat all three; the right number is whatever is appropriate for your face and agreed at your consultation.

Area 1: Forehead lines

These are the horizontal lines that appear across the forehead when you raise your eyebrows. They are among the most noticeable expression lines because we lift our brows so often. Treating the forehead softens these horizontal lines — and because the forehead works together with the frown area, a prescriber will often consider these two together to keep your brow looking balanced and natural rather than heavy.

Area 2: Frown lines (the “11s”)

These are the vertical lines that form between the eyebrows when you frown or concentrate — often nicknamed the “11s”, and known clinically as the glabellar lines. They can make people look cross or tired even when they feel fine. This is one of the most commonly requested areas, and it is frequently treated alongside the forehead for an even result.

Area 3: Crow’s feet

These are the fine lines that fan out from the outer corners of the eyes when you smile or squint. Softening them can give a fresher, more rested look around the eyes while still letting you smile naturally. Because the skin here is delicate, careful, well-judged treatment matters — another reason the assessment beforehand is so important.

Can you treat one or two areas instead of all three?

Absolutely. Some people only want their frown lines softened; others prefer a balanced result across the whole upper face. More areas is not automatically better — the aim is a natural result that suits you, not the maximum number of areas. Your prescriber will talk through what will actually help and what will not.

Which areas are right for you?

That is exactly what a consultation is for. A prescriber looks at how your face moves, listens to what is bothering you, and checks that treatment is safe and suitable before anything is prescribed. Sometimes the honest answer is that a different treatment — or no treatment at all — is the better choice, and we will always tell you if so. If lost volume or skin quality is the real concern, options such as skin boosters may suit you better.

A note on safety

Anti-wrinkle injections use a prescription-only medicine, so wherever they are given, a prescriber must assess you first. Treating the upper face well takes training and judgement — the areas sit close to muscles that control the brow and eyelid, so precise, appropriate dosing is what keeps results looking natural and safe.

Explore more: Anti-wrinkle injections at our clinic · What are anti-wrinkle injections? · How long do they last? · Cost UK — what’s included · Aesthetics clinic hub