Achieving a lateral brow lift with botulinum toxin type A

The shape and position of the brows are altered by the tension of the facial muscles. Botulinum toxin may be used to weaken the pull of individual muscles involved in facial expression. Inhibition of the facial muscles pulling on the lateral brow skin can be used to lift and shape the brow. This article details the injection technique used to lift the lateral brow. Botulinum toxin is injected to weaken the brow depressors, which allows the unopposed frontalis muscle fibers to raise the brow. The goal is to inject and weaken the superior and lateral fibers of the orbicularis oculi muscles. Injecting botulinum toxin into specific points of the orbicularis oculi can attain a lateral brow lift of 1 to 3 mm. An effective lateral brow lift can open the eyes, giving the patient a more alert youthful appearance and creating an aesthetically pleasing brow shape.