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What is a "Botox Lift" or "Botox Brow Lift"?

asked 4 years ago by anon
Latest answer by John Q. Cook, MD
Question viewed 74,944 times
Tags: injection, non surgical, technique

I thought that Botox could make your face sag more, so how is a Botox Lift even possible? How does a Botox Brow lift work?

37 answers to What is a "Botox Lift" or "Botox Brow Lift"?

+2

Botox brow lift, is it for me?

Botox, if placed in the proper position can raise the eye brows a few millimeters. Now this may work for someone who has mild brow ptosis (droop). Now remember that the effects of Botox lasts approximately 3 to 4 months. And if you seek anything longer than that a surgical procedure such as endoscopic brow lift might be necessary.
Kami K. Parsa, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.oculoplastic.info

+1

What is a "Botox Lift" or "Botox Brow Lift"?

Botox paralyzes muscles.  Therefore if you are able to paralyze the group of muscles that cause eyebrow depression, you can achieve a brow lift.  If you also paralyze the muscles that lift the eyebrow, it may not work. There is a fine balance between the muscles that lift the eyebrow and depress the eyebrow.
Sam Goldberger, MD

Beverly Hills Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.neweyelids.com

+4

Tug of war muscles: Botox Lift

In physiology, we term the actions of muscles to be agonist and antagonist muscles. This refers to the results of the muscle contraction. Certain muscles play "tug-of-war" with areas of the face. Examples include: The corner of the mouth: Muscles lift the corner in a forced "cheeky" smile or turn the corner of the mouth downward with frowning. The outer part of the eyebrow: The squinting muscles pull the eyebrow downwards while the forehead muscles pull it upward. The... more
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+3

BOTOX for the Brow

BOTOX is a muscle relaxant that generally lasts for about 3 months. BOTOX can be used to weaken muscles selectively thereby changing the dynamic balance among facial muscles pulling in different directions. To raise the brow, BOTOX is injected into two or three muscles that actually pull the brow down, so with these muscles weakened, the brow lifts slightly. In addition, the main lifting muscle of the brow creates lines when it lifts the forehead. By selectively weakening... more
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+3

While Botox can make the brow droop, it can also cause...

While Botox can make the brow droop, it can also cause an elevation of the brow. There are several muscle groups which work to move the brow. There are a set which moves the brows up and a set which moves the brows down. By selectively injecting the muscles which move the brow down, there is unopposed action of the muscles which move the brow up. Hence - a brow lift. While this works well, the effects are temporary and minimal. For patients with severe brow ptosis and fat pseudoherniation, a... more
D.J. Verret, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+3

All parts of our bodies are supplied by muscle groups...

All parts of our bodies are supplied by muscle groups that work in opposition to each other for complete and proper function. In the arm, for example, we have the biceps muscles to flex the elbow and triceps muscles to extend the elbow. In the forehead as well, there are muscles that elevate the brow and others that pull it down or depress it. The ones that pull the brow up cause the sideways lines of the upper forehead and those that pull the brow down cause the vertical frown lines... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+2

Botox lift is simple

Botox makes muscles weak. That is how is relaxes facial lines. If you put Botox in the muscle around the eye below the level of the brow it will relax those muscles. If those muscles are relaxed they can't pull down on the brow. Thus you get a mild brow lift. We are talking about 1-3 mm of lift typically, not as much as with a surgical procedure. Hope this helps.
Ivan Wayne, MD

Oklahoma City Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Finesse required for Botox brow lift

The position of the eyebrows is determined in large part by balance between the muscles that elevate them and the muscles that pull them down. The elevator muscles cause the horizontal lines in the forehead. Depressors are the same ones that cause crow's feet, if you picture what happens when you squint your eyes. There are also depressors toward the middle. By putting just the right amount into the depressor muscles, the elevators are unopposed so the brow drifts up. But overdoing it... more
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+2

Botox lifting the brow

Botox can be used to eliminate forehead wrinkles. At the same time a small amount injected int he infrabrow region laterally will elevate the lateral brow and give a small lift.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

Botox can create a brow lift in some patients

Botox, when done properly can create the appearance of a brow lift in some patients. There are small muscles in the forehead that are used in scowling or frowning. Botox can create a small (3-4 millimeters) of lift in the outer brow area by relaxing those frown muscles that pull the brow downward in that area and staying away from the other muscles in the forehead. This is done by temporarily paralyzing the muscles. This creates a slight raise of the eyebrows, and the results can vary... more
Scott W. Mosser, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+2

Botox Brow Lift

In the upper face, there are muscles that pull upward on the brow and those that pull downward. The key to a successful brow-lift is to relax those facial muscles that are pulling downward on the brow. In doing so, the muscles that pull upward take control and make the eyes appear more open and alive. It is a subtle technique, but when done well, can have a profound effect on helping a patient look refreshed.
Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Botox if injected properly can often create a chemical brow lift in most patients

Botox if injected properly can often create a chemical brow lift in most patients. Botox acts by weakening the muscles that cause frowning and scowling. If botox is used to treat the depressor muscles of the forehead that cause scowling or frowning and the other forehead muscles on the side are left alone, this will often result in arching or raising of the eyebrows especially where they tend to hang over the outer aspects of the eyelids. This is especially a positive feature in females who... more
Scott Trimas, MD

Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Botox lift: Botox weakens the muscle that pull your eyebrows down

This allows your muscles that elevate your eyebrows to work with less inhibition. This is how the Botox brow lift works. Botox weakens the muscles between your eyes and around your eyes to allow the frontalis muscle to lift the eyebrows up more. It takes experience to do this but knowing where to put the botox can make a huge difference with the results.
Philip Young, MD

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Botox lift is a 'chemical brow lift'

Botox can be used to achieve a 'chemical brow lift'. There are antagonistic muscles in the face/brow that work in balance to adjust the brow position. If one appropriately injects the opposing muscles in the correct positions, one can achieve a 'brow lift'. The frontalis muscle can be injected in the forehead, but not in the area directly above the outer aspect of the brow. This will allow the frontalis muscle to raise the brow if the muscle which pulls down the brow, the orbicularis, is... more
Sanjay Grover MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+2

Botox Brow Lift - Mechanism

Botox Cosmetic works by paralyzing the targeted muscles. With respect to the brow region, there are muscles that act to "pull down" the brows (the "depressors"), and muscles that "lift up" the brows. With this in mind, specific muscle groups that "pull down" the brows can be treated with Botox Cosmetic, thereby, leaving muscles that "lift up" the brows UNOPPOSED. Essentially, the balance between the 2 opposing muscle groups has been altered,... more
Christopher Chung, MD

Corona Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox can be used to lift the brows

The position of the brows is largely determined by two factors. The first factor is the natural downward settling that occurs with the aging process. The second is the balance between the muscles that pull the brow downward and those that lift the brow. There are two main muscle groups that pull the brow downward. One cluster of muscles is in the space between the eyebrows just above the nose. If you look in the mirror when you activate these... more
John Q. Cook, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

johnqcookmd.com

+1

Botox brow lift

Used incorrectly Botox create sagging and funny expressions. Used correctly it does not. A Botox brow lift smooths the forehead and lifts the brow using Botox injections. The frontalis muscle raises your forehead, making cross lines. The corrugator muscle complex brings your brow down, making vertical frown lines between the brows. The orbicularis oculi muscle under the outer brow brings down the outer brow. Done correctly, Botox balances the pull... more
Elizabeth Morgan, MD, PhD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox Browlift

Botox is a muscle paralyzing substance that is injected into or near facial muscles by a doctor or nurse injector to weaken or prevent it from working for a period of months. It may seem counter-intuitive that paralyzing facial muscles can lift your brow, but this is exactly how Botox works. Our faces have muscles that pull in opposing directions, so in the case of the brow the idea is to paralyze the muscles that pull downward while leaving the ones that lift the brow untouched... more
Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

drnichter.com

+1

Botox Brow Lift

This is also known as a chemical browlift. Your eyebrow position is determined by the balance of the eyebrow lifting muscles and the eyebrow lowering muscles - like a see-saw. Botox can be used to weaken the eyebrow lowering muscles to assist the eyebrow lifting muscles and raise the eyebrow. It is very effective, subtle, and an easy way to lift the brow and soften the eyebrow/eyelid area at the same time. Unfortunately, it lasts 3-4 months but is easy to do again.
Gregory J. Vipond, MD

Pasadena Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox and surgical brow lift each have their place

The action of Botox can elevate the brows and achieve improvement in the appearance of the aging face. It is not, however, an equivalent to surgical elevation of the brows. I believe that both have their place in the armamentarium of the plastic surgeon. For mild cases of brow ptosis or if there are contraindications to surgery, either financial or medical, Botox can offer a low-cost, short-term improvement. In instances of significant ptosis of the brows, it will not be as effective. I... more
Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

BOTOX Browlift

Yes, some muscles of the upper face lift the brow and some lower the brow. If we weaken the muscles that lower the brow a modest elevation will occur. It is a nice lift and will give you an idea of what a brow lift can do for you. In addition, weakening the muscles that pull your brow and lateral eyelids down is helpful to maintain the results of your browlift. Good luck!
Hannah Vargas, MD

Kansas City Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

A Botox Brow lift

You are right in that Botox injected into a forehead can actually cause the brow to droop. But if it is used to selectively treat the depressor muscles of the forehead, it may actually cause the brows to lift.
Lawrence Kass, MD

Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.kassmd.com

+1

Botox Browlift

BOTOX cosmetic is used to soften selective muscles of the face by inactivating them. The forehead and eyebrow region is made up of muscles which both pull the eyebrows up as well as pulling the eyebrows down. By injecting Botox below the eyebrows, this can inactivate the muscles which pull the eyebrows down and allow the muscles which raise the eyebrows to be unopposed. In this fashion one can obtain a minimal lifting of the eyebrows without a formal surgical brow... more
Stephen A. Chidyllo, MD

Red Bank Plastic Surgeon
+1

The Botox Browlift

Of course, Botox is a very useful technique to give you temporary elevation of the lateral brow and shaping, if done correctly, as well as softening of the upper forehead and face. These are all temporary. It works by partially relaxing the orbicularis oculi muscle laterally to allow for the forehead muscles to elevate the lateral brow. This can be done in a very skillful fashion, but one has to avoid that peaked look of the eyebrows. That is why it is important when doing Botox for the... more
Rod J. Rohrich, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox brow lift - how does it work?

Think of the brow as being "in the middle" of a tug-of war.  On one side, are the muscles of the forehead that lift up the brow.  On the other are the muscles (around the eye) that pull the brow downward. If you Botox the muscles that pull the brow downward, the other team "wins", and the brow moves upward. Clinically, we put a small dose of botox just beneath the lateral part of the brow - and voila - up it goes.  Of course, you can't... more
Thomas Fiala, MD

Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox brow lift

This is when botox is injected into the orbicularis muscle in the brow. That muscle is used to depress the brow or lower it. Paralyzing it does the opposite or lifts it! The lift for a botox brow lift is not as much as a surgical browlift but some people love it.
Chris Thiagarajah, MD

Washington DC Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Ways to Enhance Results of Botox Browlift

Botox lifts the brow by relaxing the muscles which depress the brow, thereby allowing the elevator muscles to work more freely. Consequently, brows can be elevated. There are addtional ways to enhance results of botox browlift: Non-surgical Options: quick, simple, effective, natural, minimal down-time * micro-tatoo: enhances the brow hair * eyelash enhancers: Latisse to help to thicken the brow hairs * fillers: juvaderm, restylane, and especially perlane and restylane give instant... more
George Sun, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox lift

Botox can elevate the brow by injecting Botox in the muscles that pull the brow don, these are the frown lines muscles and a small muscle at the upside part of the brow. Then the forehead muscle which pulls the brow up takes over and elevates the brow
Samir Shureih, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox treatments to lift the brow

There are muscles in the face that pull down the eyebrows and muscles that lift up the eyebrows. A skilled Botox injector can carefully inject just the muscles that pull down, giving a lift to the brows. This will also give the eyes a more open look. Most people can expect up to 2 millimeters of lift, which sounds like a little but in the face is usually enough for a noticeable improvement.
Jordana Gilman, MD

New York Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Botox works for brow lift.

Hi. 1)  The position of your brows is determined by a muscle balance.  One muscle pulls the brows up and other muscles pull the brows down. 2)  If Botox is used to relax the downward pulling muscles, then the upward pulling muscle is unopposed, works more effectively, and you get a brow lift.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox - chemical brow lift

Botox works by temporarily paralyzing muscles. If the muscles were creating facial lines, then these lines will be smoothed when the muscles are no longer active. As skin looses its intrinsic stretch and elastic properties with aging, facial lines develop as the brain tries to keep things elevated. Botox is perfect for young patients who are just beginning to show forehead lines, since halting the undesirable muscle activity removes the lines and the skin still has enough recoil to hold... more
Michael A. Bogdan, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox lift or Botox Brow Lift

Great question. Nearly all the muscles in our body are arranged in 2 opposing groups. Muscles that FLEX fighting muscles that EXTEND. In the face, muscles that LIFT are opposed by muscles that depress. Two important structures of the face can be lifted : the Brows and the corners of the mouth. BROWS - the brow is pulled down centrally by the pull of the corrugator muscles and laterally by the orbicularis muscle. Placing Botox in these muscle areas allows the brow lifting muscle, FRONTALIS,... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox brow lift is very effective

Hi, Botox works by chemically paralyzing muscle groups. If your doctor wants certain portions of the face to be positioned in a certain direction, he or she can use Botox to paralyze the muscle groups with cause the face to move in the opposite direction. So, in the case of the brows, Botox can be used to perform a brow lift by targeting the depressor muscles of the brow. Along the inner portion of the brow, this is the corrugator, depressor supercilii and procerus muscles, which also are... more
Sam Jejurikar, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox Lift: Injecting the tail of the brow

I believe that the Botox brow lift you are referring to is a tail of the brow injection. The mechanism which allows this to happen is via chemical relaxation of a muscle that functions to pull the brow down (the superolateral orbicularis oculi). This functions to spring the brow upward, lifting the lateral brow. In addition, use of Botox in the glabella region (the 11's) causes perceptible widening of the space between the brows, producing the illusion of a lift and a more relaxed look to... more
Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox injections can give a modest lateral brow elevation

The lateral orbicularis muscle (muscle around the eyes involved with squinting) is a depressor of the lateral brow.  Paralyzing this portion of the muscle allows the brow elevators to have a greater effect on brow position.
York Jay Yates, MD

Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox lift can correct droopy eyebrows

Droopy eyebrows can sometimes be improved by the administration of Botox Cosmetic into antagonistic muscles such as the lateral orbicularis oculi. This produces a slight elevation in eyebrow position.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox Brow Lift

The Botox Brow-Lift is a technique that good plastic surgeons uses all the time. The frontalis and obicularis oculi muscles are "antagonistic muscle pairs" for eyebrow position - when one contracts the other relaxes - changing the eyebrow position. The skill part of injecting botox is understanding the anatomy of the antagonistic muscle pairs in the face and injecting the right amount of botox in the right places to control the position of the eyebrows. I also use this concept... more
Daniel Reichner, MD

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

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