Cosmetic procedures have come a long way in the quest for a more youthful appearance. When it comes to rejuvenating eyebrows and lifting sagging brows, traditional surgical methods have been the go-to option. However, advancements in non-surgical techniques now offer a viable alternative for individuals seeking a brow lift without going under the knife.
Today, we’ll discuss the non-surgical brow lift method, exploring various techniques medical professionals employ to enhance brow appearance. Discover how these non-invasive procedures work, their benefits, and whether they may be the ideal solution for your patients.
What Is a Non-Surgical Eyebrow Lift?
As the name implies, eyebrow lifts done through a non-surgical procedure do not involve traditional surgery methods, “going under a knife”, or total anesthesia. Instead, they’re performed using either injectables (chemical eyebrow lift) or ultrasound, providing the same natural-looking lifting effect. They are a more desirable option among patients who do not want surgery.
The goal of this procedure is to even the brow and reduce the “tired eyes” look that a sagging brow creates with age. Patients undergoing this procedure get a rejuvenated look and an overall more youthful appearance.
Today, brow lifting can be done using dermal fillers based on hyaluronic acid, Botox, threads, and ultrasound energy. Here’s how each of them works.
Dermal Fillers
One of the most common non-surgical procedures patients request involves dermal filler injections. These organic, usually hyaluronic-based gel-like liquids restore the patient’s natural looks. Dermal fillers like Sculptra have near-universal use and improve collagen production, among other benefits.
Any brow lift procedure using a dermal filler is quick and painless. Often involving several injections in the upper eyelid area, directly beneath the eyebrows. In this application, the fillers restore volume lost due to aging in the eyelids, and slightly raise the eyebrows. The results aren’t as dramatic as some dermal filler treatments, instead being very natural looking, although an added benefit is that the patients can continue their daily activities without delay.
Botox
Botox and its various alternatives are probably the most famous type of fillers. Based on the botulinum toxin type A, these injections are designed to relax the muscles in the treated area, reducing the frown lines and restoring the youthful appearance.
Over the years, medical professionals have specialized in injecting Botox, giving their patients a refreshed look. They inject Botox into the area around the brows. This method smooths the skin, lifting the brows and correcting the droopy eye look.
Threads
A novel approach to brow lift without surgery is using products for thread lifting. These are unique kinds of threads that, once injected under the skin, start slowly dissolving while also providing a facelifting effect.
Most thread manufacturers use a combination of caprolactone and polylactic acid, components that stimulate natural fibroblast production. While dissolving, the threads also boost the collagen in the patient’s skin and are one of the longer-lasting methods for eyebrow lift.
Ultra Sound
Ultrasound therapy, or Ultherapy as its most frequently called, is the most complex method that provides the longest-lasting results. An average treatment lasts about an hour.
This therapy aims to stimulate the natural collagen and elastin reserves in the brow area. It might be a lengthy procedure, but it’s also the only solution that doesn’t involve needles or injectables.
How Non-Surgical Brow Lift Works
Since this cosmetic treatment does not involve surgery, it is typically performed by aesthetic doctors or dermatologists. Often, the procedure is customized based on the patient’s goals and physiology. The medical practitioner also assesses the patient’s suitability for the brow lift and suggests how they should proceed from there.
The most common method for a non-invasive brow lift involves injecting either Botox or Dysport into specific muscles around the eyebrows. The doctor will use a very fine needle to administer the injections, targeting the muscles responsible for brow drooping. The neurotoxin temporarily relaxes these muscles, allowing the brow to lift naturally.
If dermal fillers are part of the treatment plan, a fine needle or cannula is used to inject the filler into strategic points around the brow area. The filler adds volume and support, helping to lift and contour the brows.
Generally speaking, the procedure doesn’t differ much from any other filler technique. Once the fillers or threads are injected, they naturally raise the brow by relaxing the corrugator, orbicularis oculi, and procerus muscles, which are the main “culprits” for sagging the brow.
What Causes the Eyebrows to Sag?
As we get older, our skin and facial features become saggy and give us that tired look. For a lot of people, that leads to dissatisfaction with their appearance and even depression. Many decide to undergo an eyebrow lift without surgery, which temporarily helps reduce the aging effects.
Several factors can contribute to the sagging or drooping of eyebrows. Here are some common causes:
- Aging: One of the primary causes of sagging eyebrows is the natural aging process. The skin loses elasticity as we age, and the underlying tissues, including the muscles and ligaments that support the brows, weaken. This leads to a gradual descent of the eyebrows and can create a tired or aged appearance.
- Genetics: The genes we inherit from our parents can also play a role in the positioning and shape of our eyebrows. Some individuals may have inherited lower or droopier eyebrows, making them more prone to sagging as they age.
- Sun exposure and skin damage: Chronic sun exposure can cause damage to the skin, leading to a breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers. Over time, this can contribute to the sagging of the eyebrows.
- Lifestyle: Certain lifestyle choices can impact the appearance of the eyebrows. Factors such as smoking, poor nutrition, inadequate sleep, and high stress levels can accelerate the aging process and contribute to sagging eyebrows.
- Facial expressions: Repetitive facial expressions, such as furrowing the brow or raising the eyebrows, can gradually stretch the skin and underlying muscles, leading to brow sagging over time.
- Weight loss: Significant weight loss can cause the skin and tissues to lose elasticity, resulting in sagging eyebrows.
While it’s impossible to stop time, understanding the factors that contribute to our brow losing its shape can help us delay the aging effects by avoiding the causes mentioned before whenever feasible.
Surgical Brow Lift vs. Non-Surgical Brow Lift
For many years, surgery was the only way people could correct eyebrow droop. Nowadays, widespread usage of fillers and other non-surgical methods has become a more popular brow-lifting technique, but both methods have their pros and cons.
Starting with the most obvious – if your patient isn’t keen on going under the surgical knife, then fillers and other methods discussed earlier in the article are better suited for them. Both the treatment and aftercare are quicker and less painful than those with traditional surgeries. The injectables are so advanced that they leave no visible marks and are basically risk-free.
That being said, an eyebrow lift in a non-surgical method isn’t a permanent solution for saggy eyebrows. Fillers like Botox and Juvederm might produce quick results, but they dissolve over time. On average, that period is just one year, although it could be even shorter depending on the patient’s metabolism and the amount of filler used.
A surgical lift is also a better choice for more mature patients with deeper wrinkles and folds in the eyebrow area. It might not be an ideal solution recovery-wise, but it does produce longer-lasting results.
Conclusion
The availability of non-surgical options provides an exciting opportunity for individuals seeking to rejuvenate their appearance without undergoing surgery. Whether it’s the natural effects of aging, genetics, or other factors contributing to sagging eyebrows, these non-invasive procedures offer an effective solution.
Although not a permanent solution, a brow lift with filler, threads, or ultrasound is a great choice for patients who want a procedure with minimal downtime, fewer risks compared to surgery, and natural-looking results.
FAQ
How can I lift my eyebrows without surgery?
By using chemical brow-lifting techniques, it’s possible to achieve the same or similar results in a surgical procedure. Currently, popular choices are dermal fillers, Botox, threads, and ultrasound therapy. Most of these products are available through our online store.
What is the best brow lift method?
This is still a hot topic of discussion, as both surgical and chemical methods provide excellent results. Surgery is a better choice for patients with deeper wrinkles and of a certain age, while filler injections provide quick but temporary results at almost no downtime.
Are non-surgical brow lifts permanent?
No, a non-surgical brow lift is not permanent, which is the only downside of the treatment. The non-surgical method is usually performed with injectable chemicals, which dilute over time and rarely last more than a year.
References
Techniques of Eyebrow Lifting: A Narrative Review; Nasser Karimi (MD, MPH), Mohsen Bahmani Kashkouli (MD), Hamed Sianati (MD), and Behzad Khademi (MD); Jun 2020
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7151508/
Expert Opinion on Non-Surgical Eyebrow Lifting and Shaping Procedures; Dima Omran, Salem Tomi, Adel Abdulhafid, Kamal Alhallak; Nov 2022
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/9/6/116
