Shaping of the eyebrows with botulinum toxin type a (boNT-A)

Abstract

Botulinum exotoxin type A (BoNT-A) injections can improve the shape and position of the eyebrows by balancing the forehead and periocular muscles. The muscles involved in modifying the eyebrows may be functionally divided into the elevator (the frontalis), the medial depressors (the medial portion of the orbicularis oculi, the corrugator supercilii, and the procerus), and the lateral depressors (the lateral portion of the orbicularis oculi). Specific targeting of relevant musculature of the periocular, glabella, and forehead can allow a clinician to achieve medial and lateral brow elevation, correct iatrogenic or intrinsic brow asymmetry, and alter the arch of the brow in a cosmetically pleasing manner. Complications or undesired effects of BoNT-A injections in the treatment of eyebrow shaping, such as brow and/or eyelid ptosis, can be mitigated and/or corrected with a keen understanding of relevant anatomy and proper BoNT-A injection technique.