Question
I’m 38 and I live in St. Paul. I have some frown lines on my forehead and between my eyebrows, though I don’t feel that they’re yet that horrible that I need to consider surgery. However, what I would really like to have fixed is one of my eyes as the eyebrow has becoming increasingly droopier over the years. It’s now a big difference between my two brows and the droopy one goes over my eyelid. Is this something that can be fixed with a brow lift or would an eyelid lift be more appropriate? Are there any less invasive, non-surgical alternatives that would lift my droopy brow?
Answer
Your questions about asymmetry of the brows are very appropriate and understandable. All of us have some mild degrees of asymmetry, but with time and laxity they can become more accentuated. If there’s a mild to moderate degree of asymmetry of the brows, this can often be improved to some degree with some Botox injected beneath the tail of the brow which allows it to elevate slightly. In addition, as we age, we lose volume and for some patients we recommend some filler be added beneath the brow to reestablish some of the youthful fullness in the eye area, and this often will create a secondary elevation of the brow to a mild degree. Any significant brow decent, however, needs to be corrected with surgery. These surgeries are not terribly invasive and can be performed through small incisions behind the ear without shaving any hair. Many patients are back to their normal activity within a matter of a few days. So, when you come in to see us in consultation, we can discuss a variety of options that can meet your needs.