What is a Botox brow lift?
A Botox brow lift is a type of procedure that treats frown lines between your brows. It also elevates the height of your eyebrows with Botox Cosmetic (botulinum toxin type A) injections. These shots work by relaxing underlying muscles to smooth your skin on the outside and relaxing the muscles between the brows. This allows the forehead muscles to pull up the now-relaxed muscles between the brows, thereby elevating the brows and opening up the eyes.
Additional Botox injections can be placed at the ends of the eyebrows to help relax those muscles as well. This allows the forehead muscles to now pull up that area, too. The amount of lift you get will vary, depending on your age and tone of the muscles that are left active to pull up the now-relaxed muscles.
For stubborn frown lines between the eyebrows, this procedure can help smooth out deep wrinkles without surgery. These types of wrinkles are also called glabellar frown lines.
Botox is a nonsurgical procedure. It’s different from a traditional brow lift, which is a type of cosmetic surgery that involves incisions and removal of your skin.
Botox is only recommended for adults ages 18 and older. Both men and women with moderate to severe frown lines may benefit from a Botox brow lift.
People who seek Botox injections for frown lines have likely already tried over-the-counter treatments to no avail. This type of brow lift is best for significantly sagging skin that can be corrected with this type of muscle lifting. Some candidates may also consider a blepharoplasty at the same time for maximum results around the eye area.
Before you undergo this procedure, you’ll first need to see your doctor for a consultation. At this time, they’ll also assess any individual risk factors.
You may not be a good candidate for Botox injections if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. The toxins used in the shots could harm babies and unborn fetuses.
Botox injections are charged in two ways: either by the number of units used, or by area. For a brow lift, your doctor may use slightly more injections. This is compared to a smaller procedure, such as wrinkles around your eyes, known as crow’s feet. You may spend up to $800 on one visit.
Also, keep in mind that personal medical insurance doesn’t cover Botox used for cosmetic reasons.
The procedure for a brow lift via Botox is relatively straightforward. You’ll be in and out of your doctor’s office within minutes. But before you get started, you’ll need to take some preparatory steps first. Your doctor may advise that you discontinue blood-thinning medications, as well as those that make you bleed easily, such as aspirin.
Before injecting Botox into the brow area, your doctor may apply an anesthetic cream to reduce pain. Discomfort during the injections is rare. The actual procedure only lasts a few minutes, according to Honolulu Med Spa.
Both the results and recovery from Botox treatments are relatively quick. The process takes mere minutes, and you can start seeing results within a week. However, a 2017 study found that significant results weren’t noted until about one month after the initial injections.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), Botox injections last about three to four months on average. Some treatments can last up to half a year.
One of the reasons why many people choose Botox over surgery is because of the short recovery time. After the procedure, you should be able to get back to your everyday schedule — even work or school. Still, the AAD recommends that you don’t work out for at least two hours after the injections.
Overall, Botox injections are considered safe for most people. However, there’s a risk of side effects, too. You might see some mild redness, swelling, and bruising at the injection site. According to the AAD, such symptoms go away within a week.
Mild side effects from Botox cosmetic include:
- headaches
- soreness
- numbness
Serious side effects are rare. However, you should notify your doctor right away if you experience any of the following:
- breathing difficulties
- droopy brows or eyelids
- problems eating and swallowing
- speech changes
If you’re having a brow lift surgery done at the same time as Botox injections, then you may be at risk for surgery-related side effects, such as infection.
Finally, never buy Botox online or seek injections at a nonmedical facility. This can lead to serious complications — even paralysis.
The results of a Botox brow lift can start taking effect within just a few days. To maintain your results, though, you’ll need to go back every few months for more injections. The more injections you get over time, there’s a possibility that the underlying muscles around the eyebrows can wear down and produce even better anti-aging results.
Your doctor will advise you on when you need to come back for a follow-up treatment. You’ll know it’s time if you see your wrinkles start to emerge between the eyebrows again.
A Botox brow lift can help treat dynamic wrinkles, or wrinkles formed from movement, such as those between your eyebrows. It can elevate the height of the brows, too. It may also be combined with other procedures, such as a blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery.
Keep in mind that Botox isn’t a permanent fix for frown lines. Good skin care techniques can help maintain a more youthful appearance. Talk to your doctor about all your options for lifting your brows.