Is BOTOX® Cosmetic Better Than a Brow Lift?

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Forget crow’s feet—many men and women fret about the forehead lines, frown lines, and droopy brows that come with age and repeated muscle movements. Happily, there is more than one treatment for this very common condition that affects the upper face, and the results are astonishing.

What Can I Do About My Aging Brow Line?

The two main corrective treatments for a sagging brow line are a surgical brow lift or an injectable treatment, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic. Both are safe procedures conducted by a trained plastic surgeon, but there are various pros and cons associated with each. Consult with a specialist to find out which is the right procedure for you.

What Is a Brow Lift?

Also known as forehead rejuvenation, a brow lift is performed under an anesthetic in a hospital or outpatient surgical clinic. There are several types of brow lift, but all involve incisions at or behind the hairline and the tightening of the skin and tissue of the upper face. A qualified cosmetic surgeon will be able to determine just which type of procedure is right for you.

Patients can choose from various levels of invasiveness, including the:

• Endoscopic brow lift (requires short incisions—performed with the assistance of an endoscope)
• Coronal brow lift (requires longer incisions)

What Are the Pros and Cons of a Brow Lift?

Pros

A brow lift offers the potential for the more extensive correction of deeper lines. The effects are long lasting, with smoother skin possible for several years. Brow lift surgery works especially well for patients who are older with more severe effects of aging. A brow lift can also be done alongside other facial procedures, such as eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) or a facelift.

Cons

Even endoscopic brow lifts are somewhat invasive procedures (at least) and leave some scarring (usually hidden in the hairline). There is some downtime following the surgery, with a recovery period that can take several weeks.

What Is BOTOX® Cosmetic?

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a botulinum toxin type-A injectable designed to relax the muscles of the upper face, resulting in a smoother complexion.

What Are the Pros and Cons of BOTOX® Cosmetic?

Pros

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a non-invasive injectable performed in an office in a matter of minutes. It is a great alternative to surgery for younger patients who don’t yet require a more serious treatment for lines and wrinkles.

Cons

BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments involve multiple quick and painless injections, but local bruising and soreness may result. Results usually fade after three to four months, and repeated treatments are required to maintain results. While rare, a few may find they are allergic to or tolerate the injection poorly. 

Unlike brow lift surgery, it does not work as well on deeper wrinkles and does not affect the appearance of wrinkles that are not caused by repeated muscle movements.

Interested in Learning More?

If you are looking to improve the skin quality of the upper face for a more relaxed and youthful appearance, give the professionals at Wilson Plastic Surgery a call at (256) 551-2002 or fill out our online contact form. If you are in the Huntsville, Alabama, area, they can explain the relative benefits of brow lift surgery and BOTOX® Cosmetic for laxity correction.