BOTOX vs Brow lift, Which is better?
What is BOTOX?
BOTOX is one of the most popular temporary solutions to ward off wrinkles and creases from the face. It works by way of an injection to the face that contains the namesake BOTOX, a toxin emitted by the bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. When used in small, diluted amounts, this toxin has been tested and FDA approved to weakens muscles that are responsible for facial lines. Since muscles do not contract or contract less with BOTOX, facial lines relax and recede.
BOTOX is usually administered into the frown lines between the eyebrows, though it can be applied to other problem areas like the forehead, and around the eyes or mouth. The actual procedure takes a few minutes without the need for anesthesia; patients will only feel small discomfort. The results will show after about three to seven days after the injection. Results last for four to six months. However, despite the temporary nature of the results, wrinkles will return less severe, as BOTOX essentially conditions the muscles to relax. Thus, the more you reapply BOTOX, the greater you are conditioning your facial muscles to ease.
In order to lift the brows with BOTOX, it is injected into the muscles that pull the eyebrow down (the orbicularis oris, the procerus, and the corrugators). The forehead muscles will lift the brow, as long as it is not aggressively treated with BOTOX. Lift tends to be more significant in the tail of the brow, out towards the temples. 1-3 mm of lift is a typical response.
Browlifts: A More Permanent Solution
Looking for something that will last longer than BOTOX? A brow lift or forehead lift procedure may be for you. If you suffer from signs of aging in the upper area of the face such as sagging or low eyebrows, deep wrinkles in the forehead, excess fatty deposits or skin above the eyes or frown lines between the eyebrows, a brow lift can correct these all by tightening the soft tissues in the forehead. As opposed to BOTOX a surgical brow lift actually lifts the tissues. The effect of a brow lift can be further enhanced with BOTOX, by manipulating varying muscle strengths. But usually, most patients need less or no BOTOX in the forehead after a brow lift.
Brow lifts are performed in different ways based on length of incisions, different locations and, usually nowadays, with an endoscope; a thin camera that helps view and examine the inside of your body. The three different brow lifts are the open brow lift, the endoscopic brow lift, and the limited incision lateral browlift. The type of brow lift you choose to have should be discussed with Dr. Westreich, who will help you decide the specifics of each procedure and what the best one is for you.
The result of the surgery will be apparent about six months post-op, as this is the recovery period for your hairline and scalp to have fully healed. Browlifts yield longer-lasting results than BOTOX, freezing out the severity of wrinkles for several years. Gravity will take its toll as aging continues, but portions of the brow lift, especially wrinkle lines in the brow and the frown line area, should never be as severe again and may return only mildly over the years.