Why Do You Have “Spock Eyebrows” After Your Botox Treatment?
Let’s face it. We get our Botox because we want to get rid of or prevent those pesky wrinkle lines we see in the mirror every day. Have you gone in for your quarterly ‘Tox treatment and within a week or two noticed one brow higher than the other? Or both brows a little higher than you’d like, giving you that surprised look? It can happen to ANYONE, from even the most seasoned injectors! Let’s talk about why this happens, how long it lasts, and how it can be fixed.
A Little Anatomy Lesson…
A little Botox brow lift is a good thing, but when botulinum toxin is injected only in the central part of the upper forehead with the sides untreated, “Spocking” may occur. In the aesthetics world, we call the lifting of the brow arch too much a “Spocked Look.”
The frontalis muscle aka the forehead muscle spans across the ENTIRE forehead. This is the muscle that is responsible for elevating the eyebrows. While treating the lines you can see (probably most noticeable in the center of the forehead) it’s also important to treat the entire muscle so that in a couple of weeks when the Botox is all kicked in, you have a nice smooth forehead and natural looking brows and no overarch or surprised facial expression. The Spock eyebrow belongs in Star Trek only!
Keep in mind, everyone’s facial anatomy is different, which means what a unit or two of Botox does for one may be completely different for someone else.
How Can It Be Fixed?
If you notice after a week or two that your brows are lifting more than you would like, or one brow is slightly higher than the other, just give your injector a call! It is an easy fix! A drop or two of Botox/Dysport above the brow that is lifted will bring that Spock brow back down to where she belongs within a couple of days!
If you experience ptosis, or drooping of an eyelid, this means the Botox/Dysport seeped down a little too far and relaxed a little too much. Dealing with a droopy eyelid sucks, but it happens. Call your injector! Your injector will document Botox injection sites to avoid during future appointments so that you don’t experience the same unwanted Botox side effects again!
There are drops available that can be used in the eye daily to help the eyes appear more open for those experiencing ptosis (eyelid droop). This is a temporary fix, but typically the ptosis must wear off on its own over time.
Patient is raising eyebrows in both photos and does not have Spock eyebrows (or wrinkles!)
If I’m Not Seen To Get It Fixed, How Long Does It Last?
You come in for your Botox/Dysport injections every 3 months, so if you experience ptosis or Spock eyebrows after Botox, it will peak at 2 weeks. It should begin to correct as the product wears off, and your facial muscles should be back to “normal” by the 3-month mark. No one wants to be unhappy with their result, so communication is key! This is why when you are a patient being injected for the first time especially, coming in for a follow-up, or “two-week tweak” is so important. At this time your injector can assess the result and take note of any changes that need to be made, including Spock Eyebrows, a droopy eyelid, or uneven muscle strength, at the next appointment, or touch up any areas needed to give you that perfect result!
There is a lot that goes into perfecting your result, do your homework. Choose an injector you trust who will be open and honest about the risks, rewards, and expectations of the treatment! This is why we highly recommend avoiding Botox parties and discount deals and choosing a trusted medical provider instead. At Rejuvenation MD, we take the utmost care in assessing your facial anatomy and thoroughly documenting your ‘Tox treatment for the best possible patient experience. Whether you are treating your forehead, DAO muscle for frown lines, masseters for teeth clenching, or platysmal bands for a non-surgical neck lift, you want an injector you can establish a relationship with, someone who will get to know your face as well as you do!
Dr. Umbreen Chaudhary, MD
At Rejuvenation MD we believe that self-care isn’t selfish. Dr. Umbreen Chaudhary has over sixteen years of experience in aesthetic medicine and strives to provide natural-looking results to her patients. Our friendly staff is committed to helping you reach your aesthetic goals and will customize a treatment plan for you.
