Background: Botulinum toxin has been used successfully for the treatment of hyperfunctional facial lines.
Objective: To determine the alteration in brow position after botulinum toxin treatment of the brow depressor muscles.
Methods: Eleven women, 30-60 years old, were treated. Prior to treatment, brow position was measured relative to the pupil. Relaxed position and elevated position with frontalis contraction were evaluated. Botulinum toxin was injected into bilateral eyebrows. Each brow received one injection into the glabellar region (5 U) and four equally spaced injections along the lateral orbital rim below the brow (total of 10 U). Brow position was measured for postinjection relaxed and elevated positions at three points, from the central pupil to the nasal, central, and temporal brow.
Results: A statistically significant elevation of the right and left brows was observed in both relaxed and elevated positions. The largest mean elevations were noted in the right central brow position (relaxed 1.86 mm, elevated 2.09 mm) and the left central brow position (relaxed 3.06 mm, elevated 2.86 mm).
Conclusion: Botulinum toxin is a safe and effective treatment for temporary browlift. The elevations produced in the nasal, central, and temporal brow can produce an aesthetically pleasing female brow with desirable shape and height.