The eyes and eyebrows are arguably the most important facial features. They are a focal point; the place people look when having a conversation, and one of the ways that we communicate emotions. Through years of laughter, we gain expression lines and being such a prominent part of your overall appearance; it’s understandable to have concerns about signs of ageing like fine lines, dark circles or sagging skin. 

One of the biggest concerns people often seek help for is a heavy brow – it’s often associated with ageing as the skin loses collagen and elastin, which causes the brow to drop. The face has a large concentration of muscles, particularly in the forehead, which means that the skin in this area needs to be more mobile. 

As you get older, the collagen breaks down, especially if you’ve spent a lot of time in the sun, which causes the forehead to lose elasticity and the brows begin to sag. It’s a very common concern that both men and women have, particularly more mature individuals. 

Having said this, younger people are also not immune to sagging brows as it could be caused by genetics. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available, whether heavy brows have been caused by ageing or genetics, allowing you to choose the right procedure with your consultant’s guidance.

Wrinkle Injections

Wrinkle injections are a type of prescription-only medicine applied directly to the facial muscles to block nerve impulses that cause the muscles to contract. While it is typically used to treat fine lines and wrinkles, it can also be an excellent minimally-invasive treatment option to improve the appearance of a sagging brow. When injected into the muscles around the brow that have lost their elasticity, it can reduce the muscle activity that causes a heavy brow. 

Using wrinkle injections lifts the brow by just a few millimetres which is enough to give a subtle lift and more youthful glow, so it’s ideal for anyone who is just starting to notice sagging skin around the brows. This option may not be suited to patients who are concerned about the level of sagging skin and would like a more drastic change. 

The treatment can be used for forehead lines at the same time as targeting the muscles that cause a sagging brow. As a series of injections apply the treatment, there is no downtime. Patients can expect to see initial results within a few days, while the full results can be seen after 30 days, although results can vary between patients.

Dermal Fillers 

For individuals who feel they need a more powerful intervention, dermal fillers can enhance your natural features and give a subtle boost and a more youthful appearance. Dermal fillers are clear gels that are injected into the forehead to plump the skin and restore your natural features by lifting the brows and preventing sagging, but they can also be used to treat heavy brows caused by genetics. 

They are often referred to as non-surgical facelifts because they’re so effective with very minimal discomfort. Dermal fillers are subtle yet effective, integrating into your tissue for a very natural look. The amount of filler that is injected can vary depending on how severe the heavy brow is and how subtle you would like the end result to be; it’s often applied to multiple areas across the forehead for a more cohesive look.

 The treatments are non-invasive with very minimal recovery time, and the results can last up to 18 months, making it an effective way to treat sagging brows.

ULTRAcel 

ULTRAcel is like a non-surgical facelift. Specialist handheld devices apply a combination of different high-end technologies that work together to tighten the tissue on your forehead and face as a whole. 

ULTRAcel works by using High Intensity Ultrasound and radio frequency technology to target the skin and deeper tissues, enacting your body’s natural healing process and promoting the growth of new collagen. This results in smoother and firmer skin that looks tighter and more youthful. 

When ULTRAcel is used on your forehead, the tightened skin helps to lift the brow and reduce the appearance of sagging brows. It’s non-surgical with very little downtime, and the results can last up to two years, with the best results expected at the 6-month mark.

Choosing a brow lift treatment

When researching treatment for a heavy brow, it’s important to think about how the treatments will integrate into your lifestyle. It’s important to consider each procedure’s merits and downfalls, how much upkeep they will require and how subtle you would like the finished look to be. 

Booking a consultation to discuss your concerns with a professional and have your skin examined is the best place to start, and allows you to receive personalised advice that can help you to make your decision.