Botox Brow Lift & Forehead Wrinkles

A Botox Brow lift is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that entails strategically injecting botulinum toxin type A, more commonly known as Botox, into specific facial muscles to raise the eyebrows. By relaxing these muscles, the eye area opens and the central muscle in the forehead lifts without resistance, resulting in a lifted appearance and a more defined brow. A Botox brow lift is an excellent alternative to a brow lift surgery or surgical forehead lift, and there is essentially zero downtime involved. When it comes to facial rejuvenation treatment with cosmetic injectables, including Botox injections and dermal fillers, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green in NYC is an international expert, located in the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Maintaining a proper skincare routine and limiting sun exposure can help keep your skin healthy and youthful. However, when your skin begins to lose elasticity and show the visible signs of aging, Botox, chemical peels, lasers, and non-invasive skin tightening can be the solution. As we age, the brow area often begins to sag and furrow, and dynamic fine lines and wrinkles may become more apparent. These wrinkles can result in a tired or angry-looking appearance. To combat these wrinkles, small amounts of “baby Botox” can be skillfully injected by Dr. Green. Botox is the gold standard non-invasive cosmetic treatment when it comes to reducing the appearance of dynamic fine lines and wrinkles, and can provide an excellent non-surgical brow lift.

Dr. Michele Green in New York City is an internationally renowned board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with over two and a half decades of experience providing her patients from around the world with the best non-invasive treatment options available, including the Botox brow lift. Dr. Green is an Allergan Platinum injector of Botox and offers what has been described as the “best Botox injections in New York”. Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, and Super Doctors consistently vote Dr. Green as one of New York’s best dermatologists for her holistic approach and ‘less is more’ philosophy when it comes to facial rejuvenation treatment.

What is a Botox Brow Lift?

Traditional facelifts or brow lifts are invasive plastic surgery procedures, often associated with a host of potential side effects and lengthy recovery times. A Botox brow lift, however, is a popular non-invasive cosmetic procedure designed to lift and lengthen the skin above the brow and forehead to open up the eye area and create a more defined brow bone, without any extensive downtime. The difference is subtle but elegant and gives the appearance of a brow lift, without the need for invasive cosmetic surgery. The cosmetic effects of Botox brow lift last for several months and require an advanced injector technique. Dr. Michele Green is an expert Botox® injector and platinum Allergan provider. Dr. Green is a master at cosmetic facial injections and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, offering a host of her Upper East side NYC private office. A Botox brow lift can be just the procedure to help restore a more youthful appearance without any recovery time.

Botox Brow Lift NYC

As the face ages, one of the areas that are of key concern is the forehead area.  Many patients don’t realize how the appearance and treatment of the forehead can affect the entire face.  As we age, we develop more lines on our foreheads and lose volume, but the brows themselves begin to sag and furrow. This wrinkled appearance of our foreheads can give a scowling or angry appearance. This aging can be corrected through non-invasive cosmetic treatments such as a non-surgical brow lift with Botox, dermal fillers, and laser treatments. Dysport® can also be used as well as Xeomin® to create such a non-surgical brow lift. Dr. Green will use a combination of these treatments, known as a “liquid facelift” to treat facial sagging, frown lines, heavy brows, and jowls in her discreet New York City dermatology office.

Non-surgical brow lifts with Botox

Botox® cosmetic is a simple and effective way to have a non-surgical brow lift. A Botox brow lift is an injectable treatment that will remove forehead wrinkles and lines, raise sagging eyebrows and reduce the appearance of upper eyelid hooding.  A small amount of Botox needs to be injected above the lateral aspect of the eyebrows to lift droopy brows and provide a lift. By skillfully injecting small amounts of “Baby Botox” into key areas of the glabella and forehead areas, the forehead will be raised and you will have a relaxed and more youthful appearance.

Some muscles pull the eyebrows down, such as the orbicularis oculi and the corrugator muscles. The corrugators (known as the “11’s”), are the muscles that cause the vertical lines between the eyebrows and are the depressors of the inner part of the eyebrows. Other muscles pull the eyebrows up, namely the frontalis muscle. The procerus muscle is located between the eyebrows as well. Botox weakens the corrugator and procerus muscles, which allows the central part of the forehead to relax and open up and the inner brow to lift up, giving you a non-surgical brow lift.

Non-surgical brow lifts are much preferred over surgical brow lifts, since surgery can give you a very unnatural “surprised” look. In addition, there are considerable complications from surgical brow lifts including hair loss from the incisions, scars, and localized pain and headaches from the surgery.  Dr. Michele Green much prefers the subtle, yet elegant, enhancement of the non-surgical brow lift using botulinum toxin, or Botox for brow rejuvenation.

Surgical brow lift

A surgical brow lift is the domain of the plastic surgeon and is no longer a common surgical procedure, thanks to the advent of Botox injections. A surgical brow lift is an invasive procedure which requires general anesthesia, with an incision within the hair line. Many plastic surgeons perform a “coronal incision” which is an incision created from ear to ear across the to of the head, within the hair-bearing skin, behind the hairline. This lift surgery is most commonly done through an endoscopic brow lift. The forehead is then lifted to create a smoother forehead. Many patients will also opt for additional cosmetic surgery at this time, specially eyelid surgery. As we age, the skin around the eyes becomes lax and contributes to the appearance of being tired or aging. While a Botox brow lift can raise the brow area, it cannot affect the skin around the eye area and a blepharoplasty may be advised in such patients who have an excess amount of skin in their upper eyelids. For these types of surgical procedures, it is best to consult with a board certified oculoplastic surgeon or plastic surgeon who are experts in these types of cosmetic surgical procedures.

How does Botox work?

Botox works by disrupting the nerve signal in specific facial muscles in which it is injected, causing temporary muscle weakening, and stops the muscle’s ability to contract. As these muscles stay loose, the skin smooths out and fine lines and wrinkles are reduced.

What causes frown lines?

• Sun damage with the damaging UV rays cause fine lines and deeper wrinkles to form.
• Genetics
• Smoking
• Stress
• Alcohol
• Repeated facial expressions such as frowning or squinting

What is a Botox eyebrow lift?

The position of the eyebrows is largely controlled by two opposing muscle groups. One group of muscles pulls the eyebrows down and another group elevates the eyebrows. Botox is able to temporarily relax the muscles which pull the brows down, and allows the muscles which elevate the eyebrows to work unopposed. The result of these Botox injections is a subtle brow lift, with a natural looking appearance.

Can Botox lift your eyelids?

Botox can have a subtle effect in lifting your eyelids by elevating the brow. Botox is used to lift the outer tail of the eyebrow, which reveals a small amount of eyelid skin. By injecting Botox in small aliquots into the lower forehead and outer tail of the eyebrows, the brow raises as well as the eyelids. If you are looking for a profound effect of eyelid lifting, you may want to consider a blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, to remove any excess eyelid skin.

How much is a Botox brow lift?

The price for Botox varies based on the experience of the injector. If you consult an experienced board certified dermatologist, like Dr. Green, versus a nurse injector who learned to inject Botox on a weekend course, the cost of a Botox brow lift will be higher. Medspas may have untrained injectors and are generally less expensive.

How long does a Botox brow lift last?

A Botox brow lift can last approximately 3 to 6 months. When the Botox wears off, the lines in the forehead will be able to reform and the smoothing effect of Botox will dissipate.

How many units does a Botox brow lift take?

A Botox brow lift can take 4 to 6 units at the lateral aspect of each eyebrow. Commonly, patients have a vertical frown line at the glabella area which needs treatment and 20 to 25 units of Botox are typically needed there. In addition, if some patients need the forehead lines treated, 10 to 30 units of Botox may be needed for the best results.

Does a Botox brow lift hurt?

Botox injections do not hurt when injected for the brow lift, forehead, crow’s feet, furrows, or any other facial muscles. However, some patients are more sensitive to cosmetic injections than others. If you are sensitive to injections, we recommend applying a topical numbing cream one hour before your treatment, to minimize any potential discomfort from the Botox injections.

Where is Botox injected for a brow lift?

There are many ways to inject Botox in the forehead, depending on a patient’s anatomy.  If there are very low set droopy brows, the procerus muscle needs to be injected (the muscle between the eyebrows) and a carefully placed amount of Botox around the orbicularus oculi muscles (the muscles around the eyes) to pull down the tail of the brow.  In addition, there are times when the upper portion of the forehead needs an injection to relax the forehead muscle and this helps pull the brows up more.

Will Botox lift the eyebrows?

Yes! Botox injections can be used to provide the eyebrows with a lifted, defined appearance. Dr. Michele Green in NYC is an Allergan Platinum injector of Botox and has decades of experience providing her patients with what has been described as the “best Botox in New York”, including the Botox Brow lift. When you consult with Dr. Green for your Botox injections, you will have the opportunity to discuss with her regarding your unique skin concerns and ideal cosmetic results. Dr. Green will work with you to create a customized treatment plan that is best addressed to your needs and provides you with optimal natural-looking, long-lasting results.

How can I prepare for a Botox brow lift?

It is important to refrain from any blood thinners, like Coumadin, aspirin, Aleve, Advil, or Motrin, for one week before having Botox injections. It is also advised to discontinue any multivitamins, vitamin E, Fish oil,  or St. John’s wort, for one week before injections and discontinue alcohol for 2 days before treatment.

What should I expect after a Botox brow lift?

Immediately after a Botox brow lift you may have some swelling at or near the injection sites. There can be some localized bruising which may be noticeable for a few days. It is recommended to ice the treated area immediately after injection with a cold ice pack. We recommended being upright for 4 hours after Botox injections and refrain from heavy exercise or saunas for 24 to 48 hours after treatment. Arnica forte is recommended to prevent any bruising. You can return to your normal activities within 24 hours after your Botox treatment.

Who is a good candidate for a non-surgical brow lift?

The best candidate for a non-surgical brow lift is based on a patient’s anatomy and the degree of facial sagging. If you have a noticeable drooping of the brow line, or have deep lines across the forehead or in between the eyebrows, you may be a good candidate for a Botox brow lift. A Botox brow lift may also be the answer for an uneven (asymmetric) brow line, or a “worried” or “angry” appearance.

Skin care to augment the results of Botox injections

Using the proper skin care is essential to the overall anti-aging process. Sun damage causes an increase in fine lines, wrinkles, and overall skin damage. Dr. Green will recommend the best skin care to use to treat existing sun damage and wrinkles, and prevent future damage from occurring. Since Botox treats isolated muscles of facial expression, but not skin tone or texture, it is important to incorporate the right skin care to your daily routine.

Dr. Green’s MGSKINLABs line of products have been formulated with powerful antioxidants, like her Vitamin C serum, and essential retinols, as in the Antioxidant Infusion. By combining the best anti-aging products into your daily skin care, you can reverse fine lines, sun spots, and skin discoloration. Daily sunscreen use is also critical for maintaining the best overall skin care routine, and Dr. Green’s line of products have some of the best sunscreens and eye creams as well.

What types of wrinkles does Botox injectable treat?

• Frown lines (glabella)
• Forehead lines and wrinkles
• Chin wrinkling
• Masseter muscle for facial slimming
• Crow’s feet around the eyes
• Platysmal bands around the neck for neck lines and cords
• Lip flip for perioral wrinkles

Botox injections for forehead wrinkles

In October 2017, Allergan announced the FDA approval of BOTOX® Cosmetic for usage on moderate to severe forehead lines. These lines display horizontally on a forehead and are associated with frontalis muscle activity in adults.

The forehead is one area which many people are concerned about, because the wrinkles and lines that form in this area are very visible. Wrinkles in the forehead occur naturally as we age, but their appearance can make a person look overly serious, and are sometimes known as “worry lines.” These lines can be caused by muscles that are over-active, pulling the skin and forming lines and wrinkles.

Before & After Photo: 1 syringe Restylane, Botox to glabella & forehead

To counter these lines, Botox can be injected into the forehead to help reduce the appearance of these wrinkles. The way Botox works is that it is injected into the skin in small doses and the serum prevents the signals from the nerve cells from reaching the muscles in the forehead, which stops the muscles from forming the lines in the first place. Botox is effective for around three to six months before a top-up is required. Botox works well as a treatment that is used on its own, but also when combined with additional treatments can be a very effective combination procedure.

Botox is great for the treatment of over-active muscles that cause a certain kind of wrinkle. On the other hand, wrinkles that appear because of the reduction of collagen which occur through the natural aging process, are not good candidates for Botox. In these cases, other procedures such as dermal fillers are more useful. As we age, we may benefit from different types of treatments to cover both types of wrinkle formation and so it is worth reviewing all options with Dr. Michele Green before proceeding.

Side effects of forehead Botox injections

A potential side effect of Botox treatments in the forehead area is the “Spock brow” or “Jack Nicholson look.”   This effect happens when the side portions of the forehead muscle pull harder than the central portion of the forehead and an unnaturally arched eyebrow occurs.  This “Spock look” can be easily corrected with a small amount of Botox placed laterally in the forehead.  In addition, if too much Botox is injected into the forehead, the brow can actually look heavier and move the eyebrows down with the result being that the eyes look smaller and the eyelids heavier.  Localized swelling and bruising can occur as with any cosmetic injection.   For the best and most natural Botox results, it is so important to consult an expert in Botox for the best cosmetic result.  Dr. Michele Green has been a master injector of Botox for 25 years in NYC and continues to pride herself in not over-injecting patients and creating a beautiful and natural looking appearance.

Thermage for a laser brow lift

One of the newer ways to create to a brow lift is through radiofrequency technology. Radiofrequency has been proven to tighten the skin around the jowls and neck for years now.  However, a newer use for Thermage®  is to give you a noninvasive brow lift, raise the eyebrows and treat the periorbital lines around the eyes as well. Through the new Thermage FLX, there is no down time, no needles, and no discomfort. The radiofrequency laser heats the skin and creates new collagen and lifts the brows. The new collagen produced tightens and lifts the brow, giving you a rejuvenated and refreshed appearance.

Laser resurfacing with Botox injections

The Fraxel® laser is an extremely popular laser resurfacing laser, to help rejuvenate the skin. With the Fraxel Dual laser, there are two lasers in one – to treat fine lines and wrinkles and to treat hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and sun spots. Most patients who already have fine lines on their forehead or skin laxity, also have had some degree of sun damage. The Fraxel laser is a “magic eraser” and removes the actinic damage, sun spots, fine lines and wrinkles with minimal recovery time. Many patients combine a Botox brow lift with Fraxel laser resurfacing to smooth out the surface of the skin as well as fine lines.

How can Juvederm be combined with a Botox brow lift?

Another method to enhance the effects of a Botox brow lift is to inject Juvederm above the eyebrow area. Juvederm injections above the eyebrows helps to lift the brows and fill in any areas of hollowing above that area. The result is restored facial volume and a rejuvenated appearance with an enhanced brow lift. Juvederm lasts for up to one year in duration and will help create a more youthful silhouette.

Combining dermal fillers with Botox injections

For individuals looking to improve the overall appearance of their face, Botox can be combined with other dermal fillers, such as Sculptra, Juvederm, Belotero and Restylane. One facial filler which falls into this category is Juvederm Voluma™ XC. Juvederm Voluma adds volume to the cheeks, nasolabial, temples, and chin areas. When combined with Botox it can help improve the overall appearance of the face and create a more youthful appearance.

Botox injections to crows feet, glabella and forehead, 1 syringe Restylane Lyft & 2 syringes Juvederm Voluma

Belotero and Juvederm Volbella are two other  FDA approved options that can complement Botox. These dermal fillers are often used for restoring volume to the lips, but they can also be used for smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles in the perioral (around the mouth) and forehead area. They are commonly used for restoring lost volume for “frown lines” after Botox injections have first treated this area. Juvederm Vollure is another option to treat deeper facial lines, also recently approved by the FDA in 2017. All of these dermal fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid, which is a substance that naturally occurs in the body.

Another treatment that works well with Botox is Restylane®, which can be used to target nasolabial folds (smile lines) and tear troughs (under hollows) to replace lost volume for facial rejuvenation.

One half of a syringe of Restylane under eye, 4 weeks later

Botox and dermal fillers can also be used in conjunction for jawline contouring. Injecting Botox into the masseter muscles can provide a facial slimming effect. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, such as Juvederm Voluma or Restylane Contour can be used to treat the chin and lower face in order to enhance the contour of the jawline and create a more defined appearance. When you consult with Dr. Michele Green in NYC for your facial rejuvenation treatment, she will work with you to determine the right combination of cosmetic injectables for perfectly addressing your needs and achieving your ideal cosmetic results that are natural-looking and long-lasting.

Can you fix a heavy brow after Botox? How long does heavy brow last after botox?

The cosmetic effects of Botox typically last between three to four months. If your Botox injections have resulted in the appearance of a heavy brow, it generally will resolve on its own as the Botox disappears.

How do I get started with a Botox brow lift?

If you are considering a non-surgical cosmetic treatment option for achieving the appearance of a lifted brow and open eye area, a Botox brow lift may be the best solution for you. Dr. Michele Green was one of the first board-certified dermatologists in New York City to incorporate cosmetic Botox injections into the facial rejuvenation treatment plans of her patients. Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, The New York Times, and Super Doctors consistently identify Dr. Green as one of New York’s best physicians for her holistic approach, ‘less is more’ philosophy, and her dedication to her patients and expertise. As an Allergan Platinum injector of Botox with over two and a half decades of experience providing the best non-invasive cosmetic treatments available, Dr. Green will work with you to customize your facial rejuvenation treatment plan so that it is best suited to your unique needs and overall aesthetic goals. Contact us online today or call the NYC-based office at 212-535-3088 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Michele Green and get started with your Botox brow lift.