Botox Brow Lift Vs Thermage for the Eyes?

Hi! 1)  Thermage is useful elsewhere, but we don't think it is very effective in the upper face. 2)  Skillfully injected Botox can really produce a Chemical brow lift (about 30 units).

Hello Bobbi, As basic overview here are the differences: Botox : is an injection that works by paralyzing the muscles that pull the brow down. As a result the muscles which lift the brow are unopposed and the brow lifts up. By controlling the amount of Botox injected and by accurately injecting specific muscles, very nice results can be achieved. Typically the wrinkles between the eyebrows are also improved along with the brows. Results last anywhere from 3-6 months. Thermage: is a... more

These treatments use completely different methods to try to result in a non surgical brow lift. Thermage uses a radiofrequency unit to try to get the muscles in the forehead to tighten, hence raising the brows. My guess is that it would be considerably more expensive than a Botox brow lift. Personally, I have never been impressed with the results of this procedure. A Botox brow lift may work, but the results are limited in degree and in duration of effect. more

It sounds as though you are looking for non-invasive options for brow lift.  You should likely widen your consideration to include Ultherapy, approved this year for this indication.  I have found both procedures to be highly satisfying for appropriate candidates.  Thermage has a variable track record for this and many physicians are shying away from this option.

I have not seen one patient with long term benefits from Thermage. I think it can help some in the short term but is really not a good long term option in my opinion. 

I would avoid Thermage around the upper eyelids. Botox for crow's feet and the forehad is a great way to improve the appearance of the face.

First, these two treatments work very differently. A Botox Browlift works by relaxing the muscle in the upper face that pull downward on the brow. Relaxing these muscles causes the ones that pull upward on the brow to take over resulting in a "Botox brow lift". Thermage for eyes works by heating and contracting skin tissue causing an upward lift. These are just basic descriptions of the procedures, but we think if you review the other physicians opinions, you will find an... more

To treat aging eyes, we want to address several issues. There is looseness of the eyelid skin, and there may be some dropping of the forehead and brow over time that makes the eyes and eyelids look heavy. Thermage tightens the collagen bundles in the skin leading to overall skin tightening in the treated area. The results you see depend in large part on the condition of the skin when you start. Someone with a lot of sun damage, and someone who is older, is not going to get as... more

A very telling sign of whether Thermage works is the number of Thermage units that are available for purchase from Plastic Surgeons who no longer use them or believe that it works. The medical reports indicate that only 30% of patients undergoing treatment with Thermage see any change, and there doesn't appear to be any way to predict who these patients will be in advance of treatment. There are many options for treatment. Go see a plastic surgeon who has embraced non-surgical treatments... more

The position of the eyelids, eyebrows, and the degree of eyelid hooding are anatomic characteristics that can add age to a patient and limit visual fields in the upper hemisphere. These are often surgical problems with the gold standard for treatment remaining surgery. Consult with a plastic surgeon familiar with browlifts, eyelid lifts, and Botox to determine the most appropriate treatment. Thermage will do little to correct any of these problems, even in the best case scenario.... more

Bobbi I think that the patients who have actually had the treatments can answer your question. 42% of patients say Thermage was "worth it" and 74% of patients say Botox was "worth it". I am assuming that "worth it" means that given the amount of money they paid, the patient was happy with the results. While this question was not specific to the brow lifting, it does speak to the effectiveness of these treatments. The effectiveness of both treatments will... more