Treatment options
and downtime.
Neurotoxin
Downtime: No downtime (mild redness
or pinpoint swelling at injection site,
resolves within hours)
injectable treatments
Brow Heaviness
A descending brow creates heaviness around the eye that reads as fatigue — and it's often caused not by skin laxity alone but by an imbalance between the muscles that lift and depress the brow. When the depressors win, the lateral brow drops. Dr. Martin addresses this by placing neurotoxin into the specific muscles pulling the brow downward — primarily the lateral orbicularis oculi and corrugator — allowing the frontalis to elevate the brow with less opposition.
The result is a subtle upward shift of the lateral brow, typically two to four millimeters, that opens the eye area without looking worked on. This is a technique-dependent treatment. The margin between a natural lift and an overcorrected or asymmetric result is narrow, which is why Dr. Martin evaluates brow position in the context of overall facial balance and eyelid anatomy before recommending it. Patients with significant descent or substantial skin laxity are told directly when neurotoxin alone isn't going to move the needle enough to be worth doing.
Why does the brow descend with age?
The brow's position is maintained by a balance of forces — muscles that elevate it and muscles that depress it. With age, volume loss above the brow, skin laxity, and an imbalance in how those opposing muscle groups are working can all contribute to descent. The brow position also changes with how neurotoxin has been administered historically — over-treating the forehead without addressing the depressor muscles is a common cause of brow heaviness that we see at our practice. Understanding the underlying cause is essential before recommending any intervention.
What is a neurotoxin brow lift, and how does it work?
A neurotoxin brow lift involves strategically placing small doses of neurotoxin into the muscles that pull the brow downward — primarily the lateral orbicularis oculi and, when appropriate, the corrugator — allowing the frontalis, which elevates the brow, to work with less opposition. The result is a subtle upward shift of the lateral brow that opens up the eye area and reduces heaviness. At our practice, we evaluate brow position carefully before this treatment — the lift we can achieve with neurotoxin is modest, typically two to four millimeters of lateral elevation, and we want patients to have realistic expectations about what that means for their appearance.
Am I a good candidate for a neurotoxin brow lift?
The best candidates are patients with mild to moderate brow descent — enough to contribute to a tired or heavy appearance but not so significant that surgical intervention would be the more appropriate solution. Patients with significant skin laxity, significant ptosis of the upper eyelid, or significant brow descent due to bone structure changes are typically better served by a consultation with a facial plastic surgeon. At our practice, we give you an honest assessment of what neurotoxin can and can't accomplish for your specific anatomy, and we'll refer you appropriately if we believe surgery would serve you better.
Can brow lifting be combined with other treatments?
Absolutely — and it often produces better outcomes when combined thoughtfully. Temple filler, for instance, can support lateral brow position from above by restoring the volume that contributes to brow support in that region. Forehead neurotoxin, when placed correctly alongside the depressor treatment, can contribute to a more open, refreshed appearance overall. At our practice, we think about brow position in the context of the whole upper face — because changes in one area influence how everything around it looks, and the most natural results come from treating the face as a connected system rather than targeting individual features in isolation.
Begin with a
comprehensive evaluation.
Every patient relationship begins with a thorough assessment and an open conversation. We take the time to understand your history, concerns, and long-term goals before recommending treatment. Complete the form below and one of our team members will reach out to you soon.
Before
and after.
Explore real patient transformations made possible through Dr. Gregory Martin’s comprehensive, all-in-one approach to care. Results vary by individual. These images are provided for educational purposes and do not guarantee specific outcomes.