When it comes to facial rejuvenation, the eyes and brows play an outsized role in how youthful, alert, and approachable you appear.
As a triple board-certified plastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon, and head and neck surgeon, Dr. Andrew Lyos brings a uniquely comprehensive understanding of facial anatomy to this delicate area of the face. With decades of experience and an academic foundation rooted in surgical precision and aesthetic restraint, our practice is uniquely positioned to help patients determine whether BOTOX® or a brow lift is the most effective path to a younger-looking appearance.
While both treatments can rejuvenate the upper face, they work in fundamentally different ways. The right choice depends on anatomy, aging patterns, and long-term goals.
Why Brows Age the Face
The position of the eyebrows has a powerful influence on how youthful—or aged—the face appears. Even subtle changes in brow height can dramatically alter facial expression and overall balance.
As the brow gradually descends with age due to gravity, muscle activity, and declining skin elasticity, it can create a cascade of aging effects across the upper face, including:
- A heavier, more closed-off eye appearance
- Deepened horizontal forehead lines
- More pronounced frown lines between the brows
- Upper eyelid skin that appears loose or hooded
- A facial expression that looks tired, stern, or unintentionally angry
Because the brow sits at the intersection of the forehead and eyes, its descent often makes the entire face appear older—even when the skin itself remains relatively smooth. Addressing brow position is, therefore, one of the most impactful ways to restore a refreshed, alert, and naturally youthful appearance.
How BOTOX Works for Brow Rejuvenation
BOTOX is a neuromodulator that temporarily relaxes targeted facial muscles. In the upper face, it is commonly used to soften dynamic wrinkles such as horizontal forehead lines and vertical frown lines between the brows.
When placed with precision, BOTOX can also create a subtle chemical brow lift by relaxing the muscles that pull the brows downward while preserving the muscles that elevate them. This effect can gently open the eye area and refresh the expression.
BOTOX Highlights
- Non-surgical and quick
- No downtime
- Temporary results (typically 3–4 months)
- Best for mild to moderate brow descent and expression-related lines
What a Brow Lift Accomplishes Surgically
A brow lift addresses not only muscle movement but also the structural descent of the brow. By repositioning the underlying tissues and muscles of the forehead, the procedure restores the brows to a more youthful, natural position while smoothing deep creases that cannot be corrected with injectables alone.
Modern endoscopic brow lift techniques allow this rejuvenation to be performed through small, well-hidden incisions, minimizing scarring and recovery time.
Brow Lift Highlights
- Surgical and structural correction
- Long-lasting results
- Improves brow position, forehead lines, and upper eyelid heaviness
- Ideal for more advanced aging changes
BOTOX vs. Brow Lift: Which Is Right for You?
The decision is not about which option is “better,” but which is more appropriate for your anatomy and goals.
| Concern | BOTOX | Brow Lift |
| Dynamic forehead lines | ✔ | ✔ |
| Mild brow drooping | ✔ | ✔ |
| Moderate to severe brow descent | ✖ | ✔ |
| Temporary improvement | ✔ | ✖ |
| Long-term correction | ✖ | ✔ |
| Structural repositioning | ✖ | ✔ |
In many cases, BOTOX is an excellent early solution, while a brow lift becomes the definitive option as aging progresses. Some patients benefit from combining both, using BOTOX to refine results after surgical repositioning.
BOTOX or Brow Lift? Let’s Find Out Together.
True upper facial rejuvenation depends on understanding how the brows, forehead, eyelids, and underlying musculature work together—and how those relationships change over time. When this anatomy is misjudged, results can look unnatural, overdone, or short-lived.
That is why experience and expertise matter more than the treatment itself. As a triple board-certified plastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon, and head and neck surgeon, Dr. Andrew Lyos brings a level of anatomical precision and aesthetic judgment that is especially critical in brow and upper-face rejuvenation. His approach is never one-size-fits-all. Instead, it is carefully tailored to your facial structure, aging pattern, and long-term goals—whether that means BOTOX, a brow lift, or a thoughtfully planned combination of both.
To determine whether BOTOX or a brow lift is the best path forward for you, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Andrew Lyos today.
Sources
- Endoscopic Brow Lift: A Retrospective Review of 628 Consecutive Cases Over 5 Years – PubMed
- The influence of forehead, brow, and periorbital aesthetics on perceived expression in the youthful face – PubMed
- Botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of glabellar rhytides – PubMed
- Endoscopic Brow Lift: A Retrospective Review of 628 Consecutive Cases over 5 Years
- Periorbital Surgery: Forehead, Brow, and Midface – PubMed