Why Do I Have Droopy Eyebrows After BOTOX® Cosmetic?
Posted February 01, 2025 in BOTOX® Cosmetic
The muscle-freezing efficiency of BOTOX® Cosmetic is perfect for those areas on your forehead and around your eyes that are showing signs of aging. However, some patients may find themselves dealing with an unexpected side effect: drooping eyebrows. In this blog, we’ll discuss the reasons why you may experience drooping eyebrows after a BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment—and how to avoid them.
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How Does BOTOX® Cosmetic Work?
Even though they may all look the same, there are actually two types of wrinkles on your face: active and passive. Passive wrinkles are the lines on your face that result from genetics and environmental effects. Thin or dry skin, sun exposure, lifestyle choices—all of these can break down collagen and elastin in your skin, leaving you with differing levels of damage.
Active wrinkles are caused by long-term repetitive use of the muscles in your face. When concentrating or frowning, the muscles between your eyebrows contract, which causes the skin in the area to ripple and fold. Similarly, squinting contracts the muscles around your eyes, causing crow’s feet. You unconsciously use these muscles all day, every day, so as the collagen and elastin in your skin decrease over time, these wrinkles etch themselves deeper and deeper into your face. These are the types of wrinkles BOTOX® Cosmetic can treat.
BOTOX® Cosmetic is formulated with botulinum toxin A, which is derived from the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. It is a neuromodulator, which means it works by interfering with the transmission of nerve impulses that control muscle contractions. More specifically, BOTOX® Cosmetic blocks the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter responsible for activating muscle contractions. By preventing the contraction of forehead muscles responsible for frowning and intense concentration, BOTOX® Cosmetic smooths out active lines and wrinkles for a rejuvenated, more youthful appearance.
Reasons Your Eyebrows May Droop After a BOTOX® Cosmetic Treatment
While BOTOX® Cosmetic is generally a safe and effective way to address signs of aging, it’s important that you go into the treatment understanding the potential side effects, including droopy eyebrows. Some of the most common reasons eyebrow drooping might occur after BOTOX® Cosmetic injections include:
Injection Placement and Technique
The most common reason for eyebrow drooping after a BOTOX® Cosmetic procedure is incorrect placement of the injections. When treating forehead wrinkles with BOTOX® Cosmetic injections, the treatment targets the frontalis muscle, which is responsible for raising your eyebrows. If too much product is injected or the injections are placed too low on your forehead, the frontalis muscle can become overly relaxed, resulting in drooping brows.
Your Individual Anatomy
Everyone’s facial anatomy is unique, which can also impact the outcome of your BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments. If you have naturally heavy brows, the incorrect amount of BOTOX® Cosmetic can relax your frontalis muscle too much and cause drooping. On the other hand, a history of weak forehead muscles or sagging brows can increase the likelihood of this side effect. That’s why sharing your medical history with your BOTOX® Cosmetic injector is essential to help them accurately customize your treatment plan and ensure the best possible results.
Product Migration
Although BOTOX® Cosmetic is formulated to remain in the targeted treatment area, improper injection technique or incorrectly caring for your face after your BOTOX® Cosmetic session can cause the product to migrate. For example, rubbing or massaging your forehead after BOTOX® Cosmetic injections may cause it to disperse. This can not only reduce the effectiveness of the injection but can also cause your brows to sag.
How to Avoid Eyebrow Drooping After a BOTOX® Cosmetic Treatment
The most vital component to ensuring that your BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment is successful and that you aren’t left with drooping eyebrows is choosing a skilled and experienced injector. Because BOTOX® Cosmetic is such a popular treatment (with over three million patients taking advantage of its rejuvenating effects in 2023), you will probably find that your options for treatment are nearly endless.
The availability of low-cost options may tempt you to choose a lower-cost provider, especially if you’re trying BOTOX® Cosmetic for the first time. However, selecting a highly trained and experienced provider for your initial treatment is especially important. The right provider will have in-depth knowledge of facial anatomy as well as the skill and experience to strategically place your BOTOX® Cosmetic injections for optimal results.
Below are some additional tips to help ensure that your BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment is successful—and your brows stay elevated where they belong:
Communicate With Your Injector
Your injector’s expertise is key to beautiful results, but the other component to achieving the best possible results is the information you give them. Be honest about any prior experiences with BOTOX® Cosmetic or similar treatments, and let them know if you have a history of weak brow muscles or eyebrow drooping, especially after a neuromodulator treatment. This information will help them tailor the BOTOX® Cosmetic dosage and injection placement to your unique needs.
Start Small
For first-time BOTOX® Cosmetic patients, starting with a lower dose is often the best approach. Erring on the side of caution allows you and your injector to see how your forehead muscles respond to the treatment, and helps your injector adjust your future BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments to maximize your results.
Follow Your Injector’s Post-Treatment Instructions
After your BOTOX® Cosmetic procedure, your injector will give you recovery guidelines. While BOTOX® Cosmetic doesn’t require downtime, there are some do’s and don’ts to observe to ensure you receive your desired results. Following these instructions minimizes your risk of side effects, including drooping brows.
BOTOX® Cosmetic Injections in Fresno, CA
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a safe and effective way to reduce signs of aging on your forehead and achieve a refreshed appearance. The more you know about the procedure, the better equipped you will be to choose the right injector and the less likely you will be to experience drooping eyebrows after your BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment. To schedule a BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment with the highly skilled and experienced injectors at Valley Institute of Plastic Surgery, call our office today at (559) 435-9646 or complete the online contact form.