Brow Lift: Before and After, Muscle Relaxant and Side Effects

A brow lift (also known as a forehead lift or eyebrow lift) is a procedure designed to raise lowered eyebrows and smooth horizontal forehead lines. Whether your brows have dropped due to aging, genetics, or simply the natural loss of skin elasticity, the effect on your appearance can be significant. Drooping eyebrows can make you look tired, older, and less vibrant. A non-surgical brow lift using a muscle relaxant injection offers a minimally invasive solution to restore a fresh, open look.

What Is a Brow Lift?

A brow lift refers to the non-surgical elevation of the eyebrows, most commonly performed using a muscle relaxant injection. The goal is to give patients a more alert and open expression. Eyebrows play a major role in how we appear to others — when they droop, we tend to look fatigued and older than we are.

A muscle relaxant injection is considered a low-pain, low-risk alternative to surgical brow lifting. In surgical procedures, excess tissue around the eye is removed under anesthesia. The non-surgical approach requires no downtime and is significantly less expensive. However, in cases of pronounced skin laxity, surgery may still be the most effective option — this is determined individually after a medical consultation.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Brow Lift?

The treatment is suitable for both men and women who wish to counteract visible signs of aging around the eyes. As skin loses elasticity over time, the brow area begins to droop, making the eyes appear smaller and the face more tired. However, a weak connective tissue structure can also be genetically caused, leading to hooded eyelids even in people in their late twenties. In any such case, an aesthetic procedure may be considered following consultation with a specialist physician.

Hooded Eyelids and the Brow Lift

Patients with pronounced drooping skin above the eyes often have what are known as "hooded eyelids." In severe cases, excess skin can completely cover the mobile eyelid, visually reducing the size of the eye. It is important to distinguish between a brow lift targeting hooded eyelids via muscle relaxant injection and the cosmetic trend of eyebrow lamination, which uses chemical adhesive to shape the brow hairs — an entirely external process with no effect on the underlying muscle or skin structure.

How Does a Non-Surgical Brow Lift Work?

The muscle relaxant is injected into the specific muscle groups beneath the eyebrows. By relaxing these muscles, the brow is gently elevated by a few millimetres, creating a natural lifting effect. Before the procedure, a medical consultation takes place to rule out any contraindications. These may include:

Ongoing medication therapy
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Allergies to the filler substance
Active infections
Certain neuromuscular disorders

A topical numbing cream is typically applied before the injection to make the treatment as comfortable as possible. The procedure itself takes only a few minutes.

Brow Lift Before and After

The effects of the treatment typically become visible within approximately 48 hours, though the final result may take up to two to three weeks to fully develop. Before-and-after photographs clearly illustrate the difference: the eye area appears firmer, the eyes look larger, and the overall facial expression looks fresher and more youthful. If the expected effect does not appear, it is advisable to follow up with the treating physician.

How Long Does a Brow Lift Last?

The body naturally metabolises the muscle relaxant after approximately three to six months. During this period, the eyebrows remain elevated and the gaze appears awake and refreshed. A touch-up treatment is possible once the effect starts to fade. Medical guidance generally recommends repeat treatments no more than every six months. Frequent patients may sometimes extend the interval to around nine months.

Aftercare Instructions

To prevent infections, it is important not to touch the injection site — especially with unwashed hands. After the treatment, patients should avoid anything that significantly increases blood circulation:

Strenuous exercise
Sauna visits
Hot showers
Extended sun exposure
Physically demanding activities

It is also recommended to avoid alcohol immediately after treatment. Smoking should ideally be avoided for at least four to six hours post-procedure.

Brow Lift Cost

A non-surgical brow lift with muscle relaxant typically starts at around 200 to 250 euros. Final costs depend on the specific practice, the amount of product used, and the individual treatment plan. Compared to surgical options, which can exceed 2,000 euros, this is a considerably more affordable choice. Important note: in many countries, injections with muscle relaxant may only be administered by licensed medical professionals. Unusually low-cost offers — particularly from abroad — should be approached with caution.

Possible Side Effects

A brow lift with muscle relaxant is generally well tolerated with minimal side effects, thanks to its minimally invasive nature. However, as with any medical treatment, a residual risk of side effects remains. These may include:

Dryness in the eye area
Itching at the injection site
Redness at the injection site
Headaches

In rare cases, incorrect dosage or application may lead to more pronounced swelling around the eyes and face. Swelling usually subsides on its own, but consulting a physician is advisable if in doubt.

Muscle Relaxant vs. Hyaluronic Acid Brow Lift

A hyaluronic acid filler can be used in addition to a muscle relaxant injection for a more comprehensive result. While the muscle relaxant provides the primary lifting action, hyaluronic acid can be injected above the brow — into the orbital bone area — to add volume and structural definition. Hyaluronic acid works in the skin tissue rather than the muscle and is generally well tolerated, as it naturally occurs in the body. Both substances are considered mild, low-downtime alternatives to surgery.

Can You Prevent Drooping Eyebrows?

While it is not possible to entirely prevent the natural aging of skin, certain measures can slow the process. Preventative steps include:

Protecting the skin from UV radiation
Avoiding nicotine, caffeine, and excessive alcohol
Maintaining a healthy diet and staying well hydrated
Using mild skincare products with hyaluronic acid suited to your skin type

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a muscle relaxant brow lift and a surgical brow lift?

A muscle relaxant brow lift relaxes the muscles pulling the eyebrows downward, producing a gentle, temporary lift lasting three to six months. A surgical brow lift permanently elevates the brows through tissue repositioning — suitable for more pronounced sagging.

By how many millimetres do the eyebrows rise after a brow lift?

A muscle relaxant brow lift typically achieves an elevation of approximately one to five millimetres, depending on individual anatomy and the amount injected. Even this modest lift can make a visually significant difference to the overall appearance.

Can a brow lift treat hooded eyelids?

For mild cases of hooded eyelids, a brow lift can produce a noticeable improvement by elevating the brow. In more pronounced cases with significant excess skin, an upper eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is usually the more effective solution.

How long does a hyaluronic acid brow lift last?

A hyaluronic acid filler brow lift typically lasts approximately nine to twelve months. The added volume beneath the brow provides structural support and a subtle elevation effect.