Bunny lines are small creases across the upper nose or beside the nose that become visible during a scrunch, smile or laugh. The nasalis muscle contributes to this movement, while nearby frown, eye and smile activity can change the pattern. Some lines appear only in expression and are simply part of how a face moves.
Start with the expression, not the name
Bunny lines are the informal name for small creases across the bridge or sides of the upper nose. They often become visible when you scrunch your nose, and they may also appear as your smile, squint or laugh brings several parts of the upper face into motion.
The useful question is not simply whether a line is present. Notice when it arrives, whether it softens when your face relaxes and whether the movement feels familiar on both sides. Those details give the name some real context.
Which pattern are you noticing?
The creases arrive as you scrunch
They soften again when the face rests. This often points to an expression-led pattern rather than a constant mark.
A fine line remains between expressions
Movement may still contribute, while skin texture and the depth of the resting crease add another part to the picture.
The timing or direction is not identical
Faces do not need to move as mirror images. A new, sudden or symptomatic change deserves appropriate medical attention.
What creates the crease?
The nasalis is the main muscle associated with bunny lines. As it contributes to a nose scrunch, the skin over the upper nose and sidewalls can fold into small diagonal or horizontal creases.
That simple explanation has limits. The visible region sits among neighbouring facial muscles, and anatomy varies between people. Smile, frown and eye movement can join the expression, so a line in one place does not prove that one muscle is acting alone.
The face at rest adds another clue. A crease that disappears with relaxation tells a different story from one that remains visible without a scrunch.
A quick way to read the pattern
Look at the face at rest
Check whether the skin becomes smooth again or whether a fine resting line remains.
Use your ordinary expression
A natural movement is more informative than repeatedly forcing the strongest possible crease.
Notice the smile and eye area
See whether the same upper nose creases arrive with smiling, laughing, squinting or frowning.
The anatomy is more varied than the nickname suggests
A 2025 cadaveric and ultrasound study of bunny-line anatomy found variation in the muscles contributing to the visible region. It supports a broader anatomical view, but it cannot identify the cause of an individual line from a webpage or photograph.
Why the rest of the upper face matters
The upper nose is close to the frown, eye and smile areas, and expressions often recruit more than one region. Corey may compare the face at rest with a gentle scrunch, smile and frown to understand when the crease first appears.
Previous upper face care can also change what you notice. If the pattern appeared after an appointment elsewhere, bring the date, documented areas and any review advice rather than trying to reconstruct the details from memory.
This broader view belongs to a personal assessment. The bunny line assessment page covers that clinic pathway, while this page keeps its focus on meaning, anatomy and movement.
When a different health pathway comes first
A familiar crease that appears with expression is usually a different question from a new health symptom. Seek appropriate medical care for sudden facial weakness, altered sensation, significant pain, swelling, trauma, breathing difficulty, skin breakdown or a changing lesion. A cosmetic consultation should not delay assessment of those concerns.
If the change is recent but not urgent, or records from previous care are incomplete, allowing more time or retrieving the records may make the next conversation clearer.
Bring the question to Oakleigh
You will meet directly with Corey Anderson RN for a calm, private look at the upper nose movement you have noticed.
Corey can compare the area at rest and in expression, answer your questions and explain whether the concern is ordinary movement, needs another assessment pathway or is reasonable to discuss further. The appointment can end with information only.
Come in for a clearer view of the movement
Meet Corey in Oakleigh to show what you notice, ask questions and decide whether explanation, waiting or a further conversation feels right.
Common Questions
What does the term bunny lines mean?
Bunny lines are small creases that appear across the upper nose or along the nose sidewalls when the nose scrunches. The name is informal, but the movement pattern is linked to real facial anatomy.
Which muscle is involved in bunny lines?
The nasalis muscle is the main muscle discussed with bunny lines. Corey also looks at nearby upper face movement, because frown, forehead, smile and squint patterns can change how the upper nose moves.
Why do bunny lines appear when I scrunch my nose?
Nose scrunching folds the skin over moving muscle. The lines may appear with smiling, laughing, squinting, smelling something strong or making a brief expression. In many adults, this is normal movement.
Are bunny lines always a treatment issue?
No. Some upper nose lines are ordinary expression lines and do not need treatment. A consultation can help separate normal movement, skin texture, nearby muscle patterns, prior treatment effects and personal concern.
Why does Corey assess the upper face as well?
The nose does not move in isolation. Brow tension, frown movement, forehead lift, smile pattern, squinting and skin quality can all affect how upper nose lines appear and whether waiting is the better choice.
Can previous treatment affect bunny lines?
It can. Previous cosmetic treatment in nearby movement areas may change how the upper face compensates. Corey may ask what was done, when it happened and whether movement changed afterwards.
What should I watch in a mirror before consultation?
Notice whether the lines appear only when scrunching, smiling, squinting or frowning, whether they remain at rest, whether they are one sided, and whether the concern is skin texture, movement or asymmetry.
When would waiting or referral be safer?
Waiting or referral may be safer if symptoms are new, painful, one sided, linked to skin change, linked to facial weakness, medically unclear, or if expectations, timing or consent are not settled.
Can I book to discuss upper nose movement only?
Yes. A consultation can be used for assessment and questions only. Booking does not mean treatment will be recommended, suitable or performed on the same day.
Is this bunny lines page personal medical advice?
No. This page is general anatomy and consultation information for adults. It cannot diagnose a concern, confirm suitability or replace individual assessment with a qualified health practitioner.
Sources and clinical references
- Guidelines for registered health practitioners who perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures
- Advertising a health service
- Anatomy, Head and Neck: Facial Muscles
- Anatomy, Head and Neck, Nose
- Anatomical etiology of bunny lines based on cadaveric dissection and ultrasonographic evaluation
- Ahpra guidelines for registered health practitioners who perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures
- Ahpra guidelines for advertising higher risk non-surgical cosmetic procedures
- Ahpra public register of practitioners
- TGA advertising health services and cosmetic injections FAQ
- TGA advertising health services that involve therapeutic goods
Is this for you?
Consider booking a consultation if
- Adults who want to understand upper nose lines before booking
- Readers deciding whether the concern is mostly nasalis movement or part of a broader upper face pattern
- Patients preparing questions before a bunny lines consultation
This may not be for you if
- People seeking a diagnosis from a public page
- People expecting the page to confirm treatment suitability
- People who are not adult patients
Suitability is confirmed at consultation. This list is general guidance, not a substitute for clinical assessment.