Because both options target the same area of the face, I often see patients who have trouble deciding between a brow lift or BOTOX Cosmetic at my Sarasota practice. Though the final decision is always left to the patient, I do offer some guidance to those who aren’t sure which is right for them.
BOTOX Cosmetic is an injectable treatment that temporarily reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles by paralyzing the muscles that cause them. Though BOTOX Cosmetic is FDA-approved for use on crow’s feet and the lines that form between the eyes (sometimes called the “11s”), many plastic surgeons find that it’s effective on other parts of the face, too. But like any minimally invasive procedure, BOTOX has its limits. It’s not a permanent solution, although it can be reapplied every several months as needed. And because it works on the muscular level, BOTOX won’t address the issue of loose, sagging skin.
In general, BOTOX Cosmetic is a great option for individuals who are mainly concerned by lines and wrinkles around the upper face. I also recommend BOTOX and injectable dermal fillers as a way for patients to experience a rejuvenated look before committing to it with surgery.
A brow lift improves the overall appearance of the entire upper face. By repositioning the forehead and eyebrows, it can help patients look more alert and rested while smoothing out wrinkles around the forehead and eyes. At my practice, my partners and I provide several different kinds of brow lifts to accommodate the unique needs of a variety of people. For example, a temporal brow lift uses a smaller incision to lift the lateral one-third of the brow to refresh a patient’s appearance with less recovery time.
Brow lift surgery is one of the best ways to target multiple aspects of facial aging. Though these patients need to take a few days off from their normal activities following surgery, a brow lift doesn’t require any long-term maintenance as BOTOX does. Both of these options have their merits; what’s best for you depends on your lifestyle and specific areas of concern.