If I get Botox for the glabella lines only, what are the chances of getting spock brow? Trying to find a good doctor in Toronto.

Thank you for your question. Although the fear of a ‘Spock brow’ is valid, keep in mind that these do not occur with Botox placed in the glabellar lines. A ‘Spock brow’ is the result of Botox placed along the outer portion of the brows, closer to the temples. However, to avoid any complication, it is imperative that you put your trust in a board-certified plastic surgeon and his team. An experienced provider will know the right amount of Botox and the correct placement to eliminate your Frown Lines without any risk. 

Hi there, It’s difficult to say exactly if and to what extend your brows will raise after having Botox or another neuromodulator injected into the glabella. If you have a particularly strong frontalis/forehead muscles, your brows may raise. This is because the glabellar muscles and the forehead muscles oppose one another, so when one of the opposing muscles is weakened, the other “picks up the slack”. If your brows in fact do raise higher than you’d like, you can have your injector add a unit or two to the lateral sides of the forehead where the brow is most raised (creating an unusually high arch). This should help lower the brows without making them look/feel too heavy. I would suggest going for a consultation with a certified skilled provider for assessment prior to treatment.

Neuromodulators like Botox or Xeomin do not lead to a "Mr. Spock" appearance when used in the glabella for frown lines. Unusual looking eyebrows after neuromodulators are more likely from failing to address the forehead muscle (frontalis) where it meets the temple region. Hope this helps. Dr Joseph

Hi Kaleesii, 
And thank you for your question. “Spock” brow typically occurs from injecting Botox into the orbicularis muscle near the tail of the eyebrow.  Botox injection to smooth the 11 lines/glabella targets a different set of muscles (corrugators and procerus primarily) and if injected correctly, should not cause the “spock” brow.  I hope this helps. Best regards, Dr. Karanetz.

yes your injector is experienced and understands facial anatomy, your chances of having a Spock brow with glabella injection are very slim. Be sure to choose an expert injector who has years of experience Injecting.

A “Spock” brow can sometimes happen after Botox injections to the 11s if the upper forehead muscles overcompensate. If this happens, a few units of Botox above each brow will correct the problem. It’s not always possible to predict who will have this effect, so I always like to see patients back at two weeks after their first Botox treatment to assess the results.

If you go to an experienced injector, you should not have any of the issues you mentioned.  You need someone with vast knowledge of facial anatomy and musculature so they know where and how to inject neuromodulators.  You need to wait about ten days after injections to assess how you look.  If you feel there is problem, schedule another appointment with your injector and they can most likely make a correction.

"Spock brow" occurs when the muscles on the inner portion of the brows are injected but the outer portion is left untreated. This allows the muscles that control the outer portion of the brow to pull upwards resulting in an elevated Spock brow. This look can easily be corrected with a small injection of Botox.

When I have clients who would like to have only their frown treated, sometimes I suggest also adding 2 units to the area in the forehead to avoid spocking or balance the appearance of the forehead. This should not cause the forehead to drop. Hopefully if you are going to a new clinic, they schedule a 2 week follow up so that if anything needs perfecting it can be done in a timely manner for you.

Your muscle movement needs to be assessed to see the amount required and the placement of your Botox.  Spocking occurs when the forehead muscles are allowed to pull up too much when the glabellar muscles are relaxed. An experienced cosmetic dermatologist can determine the correct Botox treatment for you.