If you routinely get asked, “Are you upset?” when you’re perfectly content, you may also be familiar with the term “resting bitch face,” or RBF. What social media considers a grumpy or sullen look is actually just a neutral expression that tends to be misread by others.
But what is resting bitch face, and what can you do about it? At ICLS, we prefer to call it “resting angry face.” But more importantly, we focus on subtle, natural-looking cosmetic solutions for those looking to soften their look. In this guide, we’ll help you understand what RBF is and discover personalized treatment options in Canada. Let’s explore surgical and non-surgical methods to get rid of an angry resting face and meet your aesthetic goals.
What People Mean by “Resting Bitch Face”
Despite what you may see online, RBF is not a personality trait. Rather, it’s a neutral expression that others may interpret as angry, tired, unapproachable, or irritated. You may feel just fine, but your face might say otherwise.
Typically, a resting angry face occurs due to a mix of anatomy and perception.
Why Neutral Faces Can Be Read as Negative: Research Snapshot
Even neutral faces can carry subtle cues. For example, someone with a furrowed brow or downturned mouth might be perceived as angry, even when they’re not. Likewise, certain facial signals may convey contempt, like tightening and raising one or both corners of the lip.
Furthermore, our brains form impressions from faces in a matter of seconds. We may judge a stranger’s character based on their facial features alone.
For example, humans tend to make quick judgments about a person’s trustworthiness or intelligence based solely on how their faces look. In other words, facial expressions can bias perceptions.
Common Anatomical Patterns Behind a “Resting Angry” Look
A resting angry face tends to share a few common characteristics.
- Downturned mouth corners: Volume changes along the marionette lines can cause some people to appear sad, tired, or angry. This can also happen due to an overactive depressor anguli oris, which is a thin muscle below the corner of the mouth.
- Glabellar frown lines: The small frown muscles (including the corrugator and procerus) between your brows can make you look concerned or upset, even at rest.
- Brow features: A low or flat lateral brow or brow asymmetry can come across as tired or stern.
- Volume shifts: Subtle volume loss in the midface, temple, or chin can make the brows and mouth corners appear heavier.
Each person has unique concerns and anatomical features. That’s why we personalize each treatment plan at ICLS. At your initial consultation, we’ll review your options and goals to find the right techniques for you.
How Do I Get Rid of “Resting Bitch Face”?
Many patients come to ICLS wondering how to look less angry at rest. Here are some popular options for softening a resting angry face and helping you look more like yourself again.
Botox for a Resting Angry Face
Neuromodulators like Botox for resting bitch face can help relax the small muscles that pull on the brows or mouth corners. These treatments provide quick results, with most treatments taking only about 15 minutes.
Here’s what to expect with Botox treatment:
- A series of strategic injections that feel like tiny, momentary pinches
- Little to no downtime; get back to your routine the same day
- Noticeable changes within three to five days; results settle after about two weeks and last three to four months
- A two-week review to fine-tune placement and ensure natural Botox results
Many patients like that Botox preserves natural movement while smoothing away frown lines and wrinkles. It offers a minimally invasive, effective way to refresh and rejuvenate the skin.
Subtle Brow Lift
Sometimes, neuromodulators alone aren’t enough to lift a heavy-looking brow, especially at the tail. A subtle brow lift can reposition the brow to convey a more open, friendlier look.
Here’s what to expect with a brow lift:
- Surgical procedure performed under anesthesia
- Small incisions tare ypically hidden in the hairline (or sometimes the upper eyelid crease)
- Longer-lasting results than Botox injections
- About seven to 14 days of initial downtime
Any surgical procedure carries a degree of risk. We’ll discuss potential side effects like scarring, asymmetry, and temporary sensation changes during your consultation.
Dermal Fillers To Support and Soften
Carefully placed hyaluronic acid filler can instantly soften a stern look at rest. Consider dermal fillers for downturned mouth corners, marionette lines, and even the chin edge.
Here’s what to expect with dermal fillers:
- Mild swelling or bruising for one to three days
- Long-lasting results, typically nine to 18 months
While this procedure is reversible, it’s crucial to rely on experienced injectors. Improper placement or overfilling can result in asymmetry, lumps, or even serious complications. At ICLS, we take a conservative approach when placing fillers for the safest, most natural-looking results.
What Results Look Like (and What They Don’t)
Outcomes vary depending on the treatment and each patient’s unique concerns and anatomy. Here’s a general overview of what to expect after treatment for a resting angry face.
Results
With any procedure, we’re looking to ease the frowny vibe, not alter your features. You’ll still be able to move your face and feel like yourself. You’ll just have a softer, more approachable resting look after treatment.
Typical Plan
Most people start with one or two small areas, such as the mouth corners or between the brows. We re-check after two weeks and provide minor touch-ups as needed. We’ll also recommend a maintenance plan you’re comfortable with to sustain your results.
Natural-Looking Safeguard
The goal is subtle shifts that preserve natural facial movement. That’s why we have built-in safeguards to avoid a frozen or over-plumped look. By starting low and building slowly, we create gradual, adjustable changes. Friends will likely read your expression as “rested” or “friendlier,” not “different.”
Safety, Downtime, and Who’s a Good Candidate
Each treatment carries varying degrees of risk, depending on the procedure type. We’ll go over expected downtime, potential complications, and whether you’re a good candidate at your first visit.
Downtime
Most people return to their usual routines on the same day of treatment. You may have mild redness or bruising that fades within one to three days.
We recommend waiting at least until the next day to apply makeup. It’s also best to skip alcohol, saunas, and tough, sweaty workouts for 24 hours afterward. This precautionary step may help reduce swelling and allow for proper healing.
Risks
The most common side effects are temporary tenderness, swelling, or small bruises. Some patients have slight asymmetry. In rare cases, there may be a heavy-feeling brow due to improper placement or circulation-related problems with fillers.
Working with an experienced provider like ICLS is the best way to avoid suboptimal results. We rely on anatomy and patient preferences to guide the technique, ensuring the best possible outcomes.
Good Candidates
Ideal candidates include healthy adults who want a softer, friendlier resting look, not a different face. If you’re seeking subtle changes and you’re comfortable with occasional upkeep, you may be a good candidate. An in-clinic assessment allows us to evaluate your features and discuss your goals. From there, we can determine your suitability for various treatments.
FAQs About Resting Angry Face
What is “resting bitch face,” really?
RBF is simply a colloquial label for a neutral expression that people interpret as unfriendly, displeased, or unapproachable. Neutral faces can carry tiny cues, such as frown lines, that people overread and equate with personality traits. Research shows we make snap judgments from faces, equating facial features with emotions.
How do I get rid of it?
We target the muscles that signal “frown” at rest. Common treatment areas include between the brows, mouth corners, and marionette lines. At ICLS, we typically use neuromodulators like Botox for precise targeting. If needed, strategic dermal fillers can help plump up mouth corners and lines. Some patients benefit from a subtle chemical brow lift to address heavier-looking brows.
Will I look “done”?
No, not with conservative dosing and precise placement. At ICLS, we aim to eliminate the negative signal, not erase your facial expressions. You’ll still look like yourself, only without the edge.
How long will it last?
Botox usually lasts about three to four months. Hyaluronic acid fillers last from nine to 18 months, depending on the product, placement, and individual metabolism. ICLS will review your results two weeks after treatment and fine-tune as needed.
Is this only a women’s issue?
No. The label carries a gendered stereotype. However, perception affects everyone. Research suggests that bias can influence how neutral faces are read. In one study, facial expressivity correlated with likability and social success. That’s why anyone sending the wrong facial signals can benefit from targeted treatment.
Your Consultation Pathway
Your first visit to ICLS is all about mapping out how your neutral face is read. This assessment lets us personalize a treatment plan based on your unique features and preferences. The goal is to help you look less frowny at rest without completely changing your face.
Here’s a closer look at the consultation process.
Step 1: Photos & Movement
We review photos at rest and with basic expressions to see what kind of signals your face is sending. We look at brow position, the space between the brows, the mouth corners, and any lines that suggest a frown.
Step 2: Plan Order
We begin with a small amount of neuromodulator, such as Botox, in the overactive “pull” muscles. If necessary, we add hyaluronic acid filler to gently add volume to the mouth corners or marionette lines.
If you’d prefer a more lasting change to your brow position, our surgeon can discuss a surgical brow lift with you. This procedure involves anesthesia and real downtime, so it’s important to review your medical history and lifestyle. The surgeon will determine suitability in the initial consultation.
Step 3: Start Low, Review, Maintain
After treatment, we establish an easy maintenance rhythm that works for you. Muscle relaxers like Botox typically require upkeep every few months; fillers last longer (around nine to 18 months).
At ICLS, we contribute to the ongoing conversation about resting angry face and its cultural implications. Check out a brief media mention featuring ICLS’ own Dr. Sheetal Sapra, who combined Botox and filler to address one patient’s “number 11” lines. The writer says she previously had a look of “permanent annoyance.” After treatment at ICLS, she saw instant improvements and continued results over time.
Soft, Natural, and Unmistakably You: Next Steps
If you’re looking to fix frown lines in Canada, ICLS is here to help. Our customized, anatomy-guided approach allows us to transform frownie facies into softer, friendlier-looking resting expressions.
To learn more about treatment options for resting angry face, reach out to ICLS to book a consultation or chat with our caring, helpful team. We’re happy to discuss your options and design a plan for subtle changes that suit you best.