With age, the position of the eyebrow can drop, leading to hooding of the skin above the upper eyelid. Peripheral vision can be impaired by this excess tissue. There are many methods used to correct a droopy brow. Botulinum toxin (Botox®, Dysport®, or Xeomin®) injected in the muscles that depress the eyebrows can help to naturally and subtly raise the brows. This is temporary and generally lasts around 3 to 4 months. A minimally invasive surgical technique, the endoscopic brow lift, uses between 2 and 5 small incisions just behind the hairline to lift and suspend the eyebrows permanently. In older patients and in men, a direct brow lift, removing skin just above the eyebrows, can lift the brows and the carefully placed scar can be hidden at the top of the eyebrow.
Recovery after brow lift usually takes about 1-2 weeks. After this time, most patients return to work. Swelling and bruising can last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks depending on individual anatomy and physiology.