Reasons for drooping brow and brow bone skin on one side of the face? (Photo)

Question

I have noticed my brow over my right eye being lower than my left and the hood of my eye becoming lower for some time now. But recently it's gotten much more noticeable and consistent and now it's at the point that it irritates my eye and disturbs my vision. I sometimes cross my eyes when I'm trying to see something up close. I'm 40 years old. Causes? Possible solution?

James Bonaparte, MD, MSc, FRCSC · Answer

if you ever see one side of your face get weaker or change, you should get assessed by a physician (your family physician to start). Once you do that, and assuming everything is ok, there are some good options to help.I posted  a link below with a discussion on the eyebrows and forehead. Dr Bonaparte

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photographs.  Dropping of the brow and increased upper eyelid skin can all be a part of the normal aging process.  It would be important to be evaluated thoroughly by a board certified plastic surgeon who can diagnose the cause and offer treatment options, such as a chemical brow lift using botox, a surgical brow lift or an upper eyelid lift.

Benjamin Van Raalte, MD · Answer

Having an assymetric or not matching brow is not unusual. I see it commonly.Yours could be treated by Botox. Botox relaxes muscles and by treating the muscles around the lateral eye (crows feet) lifts the brow. Alternatively, a little can be placed above the side that is higher to lower it. Sometimes a combination of both. It depends what the patient wants to achieve and sometimes a touch up is neededThe crossing your eyes to see something up close is aging of the eye and not related to the brow droop. You may need bifocals, and the squinting to see up close is a frequent sign of that. I would recommend an eye examination.The other option for assymetric brows is a brow lift. A mini brow lift can lift the lateral aspect without giving the surprised look.See a board certified plastic surgeon for a consultation. For the up close squinting see an opthamologist.

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

You can consider Botox brow lift or the Ultherapy non surgical brow lift.See the link below for the Ultherapy ebook. Dr Karamanoukian#RealSelf100 Member

Mark A. Blair, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question as well as including a photo.  I do agree that you should be evaluated by a physician to make sure nothing serious is going on. There is a non-surgical, more long term procedure that you can have done on the brow that is drooping.  It is called Ultherapy.  Ultherapy is FDA approved for a brow lift and it has been very successful.  Ultherapy is Ultrasound, just like used for imaging, but when ultrasound waves cross, it creates friction, and friction creates heat. Basically tiny thermal (heat) injuries are laid under the skin at dual depths, and your body's natural response to an injury is to "build collagen" to repair. This collagen building process causes the skin to lift in the treated area.  You can learn more about this procedure and locate a provider in your area by referencing the web link below.Good Luck!

Brian Arslanian, MD · Answer

HiThanks for the question.  You need to be evaluated by a physician to make sure nothing serious is going on.  You do have a rather noticeable asymmetry, more so than you would expect in an average person.  Things like Bells Palsy and other motor neuron disease need to be ruled out.  If all that is ruled out then yes you could try some Botox to even things out.  Would need to see what happens when you raise your eyebrows though.  Good Luck"The above answer has been given without seeing this
patient and cannot be substituted for actual in-person examination and medical
advice; it is only opinion. Seek in-person treatment with a trained medical
professional for appropriate care."

Steven Swengel, MD · Answer

You definitely have a lower arch to the right brow.  You did not mention whether all muscles on that side of your face are able to move as easily as the left side.  Assuming that all muscles work and we have eliminated the potential of a mild Bell's Palsy, I would recommend trying only a couple of units of Botox infrabrow(beneath the right brow)to relax the upper portion of the orbicularis muscle that can 'pull' the brow down if the oribicularis is overly active on that side.  This is often all that is necessary to make a correction for a brow that is lower than the other.

George Commons, MD (retired) · Answer

If you had 3 or 4 brows they would all be at a different level.   This is normal.     You could consider a Botox brow lift for a little lift.  A surgical brow lift with emphasis on the down side would correct this considerably.   My Best,  Dr Commons

Reasons for drooping brow and brow bone skin on one side of the face? (Photo)

Answers (8)