A non-surgical brow lift can be achieved using medications such as Botox©. While not as effective or long-lasting as a surgical brow lift, a non-surgical brow lift can open the eyes up in a beautiful, natural-appearing way. Treatment of the brow with Botox© requires an understanding of the facial muscle anatomy. Moreover, the mechanism of achieving a brow lift non-surgically is commonly misunderstood by patients. This blog post seeks to help patients understand how a non-surgical brow lift with medications such as Botox© works. Seek a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon if you have concerns about your face or neck. A consultation with a well-trained, experienced injector is essential to determine whether a non-surgical brow lift is appropriate for you.
How Does a Non-Surgical Brow Lift with Botox© Work?
Dr. Jeffrey Harmon
Only One Muscle Lifts the Eyebrows
Only one muscle in the face lifts the brows. Called the frontalis muscle, it extends in a ribbon across the forehead. The frontalis muscle contributes to the horizontal wrinkles treated by placing medications such as Botox© in them and/or with skin resurfacing procedures.
Multiple Muscles Pull the Eyebrows Down
In contrast, multiple muscles depress, or pull down, the brows.
The orbicularis oculi muscle surrounds the eye and contributes to eye closure in addition to depressing the brows. It is a portion of the muscle located off to the side of the eyes that is treated with medications such as Botox© for crow’s feet.
The paired corrugator supercilii muscles and the procedure muscle are strong muscles that create eleven lines between the eyebrows. They also depress the medial eyebrows. These muscles are also frequently treated with medications such as Botox©.
A Non-Surgical Brow Lift Temporarily Weakens the Muscle(s) that Pull the Eyebrows Down
Many believe that treatment of the forehead with Botox© will help lift the eyebrows, likely because the muscle is located above the eyebrows. This is a common misconception.
In fact, it is treatment of the muscles that pull the eyebrows down, including the orbicularis oculi (crow’s feet) and the corrugator muscles and procerus muscle (eleven lines) that can contribute to a non-surgical brow lift. This is because the muscle that lifts the brows will be stronger during the dynamic push-and-pull between muscles that lift the eyebrows and muscles and pull the eyebrows down.
Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon
It is important to seek a fellowship-trained specialist in plastic surgery of the face and neck when you have concerns about your face or neck.
Request a Consultation
Request a consultation with Dr. Harmon at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery in Cincinnati. Visit our clinic. You will learn more about Dr. Harmon’s credentials, style, and approach. Build a relationship with our dedicated team. Do not stop searching “plastic surgery near me.” Get in touch with us to learn more.
This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute direct medical advice. It is essential that you have a consultation with a qualified medical provider prior to considering any treatment. This will allow you the opportunity to discuss any potential benefits, risks, and alternatives to the treatment.