Botox Brow Lift
As an alternative to a traditional brow lift which requires going in for surgery, the Botox brow lift has been in increasingly high demand. This rise in popularity is brought on by the latest brow trends favoring a raised, feline-looking brow area sometimes referred to as a “cat-eye” or “fox eye”. Now with just a few pricks, this popular look can be achieved using neurotoxins Botox, Dysport, Achieve Brow Lift with Botox and Xeomin in a treatment referred to as the “Botox Brow Lift”
Portrait Medical Director and Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Patrick Blake is an experienced injector who leads a team of expert cosmetic injectors in Southern California. We spoke to him all about this increasingly popular treatment to get his professional insights and tips for providing a high-quality treatment with optimal results.
What is a Brow Lift?
Over time, and as a result of the ongoing effects of aging and gravity, eyebrows tend to drop, most noticeably around the outer edge. With this gradual drop of the brow area comes a natural decrease of the eyebrow arch. This is often particularly bothersome for women, as the natural arch of the eyebrows is popularly viewed as attractive. One of the most famous examples of this lifted eyebrow look are supermodel sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid (although they have never publicly admitted to having the procedure).
Bella Hadid is a common example patients reference when requesting a brow or forehead lift. Along with her sister, Gigi Hadid, the supermodel is credited for her signature feline gaze.
Historically, the only “true” method for an eyebrow lift, also called a forehead lift, has been a surgical procedure. A surgical brow lift aims to lift the forehead and eyebrow region by tightening the soft tissues in the area, Achieve Brow Lift with Botox with the effect of restoring a more youthful appearance to the forehead, upper eyelids, and eyebrows. More recently, however, neurotoxins have been a popular and far less invasive alternative to a surgical eyebrow and forehead lift. According to Dr. Blake, a successful brow lift can be achieved pharmacologically using neurotoxins, such as Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin with just a few strategically placed injections as opposed to a surgical procedure with recovery down time.
Technically speaking, neurotoxins such as Botox work to lift the brow area by relaxing the muscles which normally pull the brows downward, primarily the orbicularis oculi, and in turn allowing the forehead’s muscles to lift the brows without resistance. This allows the highly desired dramatic arch and outer portion of the brow to naturally float upwards and appear lifted.
How Many Units to use for a Botox Brow Lift
The short answer: Not very many. Most cosmetic injectors agree that a successful botox brow lift can be achieved using as little as 4-6 units of Botox.
Most patients combine a Botox brow lift with the treatment of other areas, for example, the horizontal lines of the forehead, the “11” lines between eyebrows, or crows feet. While treating these areas will increase the total number of units needed, according to Dr. Blake “when treating the 11 lines or the crow’s feet, we achieve a degree of eyebrow lift”. Because of this effect, the number of additional units needed for a Botox brow lift or forehead lift is surprisingly small, ranging from 2-4 units per side to produce a dramatic result.
Keep in mind the difference in units between neurotoxins, as Botox and Xeomin units differ from Dysport units. Always ensure proper conversion and dilution techniques. Visit our wrinkle relaxers page to learn more about the differences between these three neurotoxins.
