Sagging eyebrows, or "brow ptosis," are a common concern as we age. Whether you are interested in preventative measures or corrective options, the team at OLA Aesthetics can help. Our Perth clinic offers a variety of treatments that can address sagging brows while maintaining your facial strength, skin health and expressiveness.
A Note From Dr Aleks
Even a few millimetres of eyebrow descent can change how we look. Higher-set eyebrows help create a larger visible area of the upper eyelid, giving us a more open-eyed appearance and a larger canvas for makeup. On the other hand, lower-set or sagging brows reduce the visible portion of this area and may contribute to upper eyelid hooding.
Before treating this area, I make sure I understand your unique facial structure. The position of your brows is determined by a combination of your skin, muscle, fat and bone structure, and I need to know exactly how these factors relate to each other before designing your treatment plan.
Common Characteristics
- Lowered eyebrow position
- Upper eyelid heaviness
- Reduced distance between eyebrow and upper lash line
- Tired or angry appearance, even when rested
- Asymmetry between eyebrows
- Flattened or straightened eyebrow arch
Contributing Factors
- Decreased collagen and elastin production
- Genetics
- Sun exposure and other environmental factors
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Weakening of forehead muscles
- Gravitational effects
- Hormonal changes
Understanding Sagging Eyebrows
When you look in the mirror and notice your eyebrows are not sitting where they used to, you're seeing the combined effects of changes happening across multiple layers of your face:
Surface Layer (Epidermis)
- Thinning of the skin
- Decreased moisture retention
- Reduced skin barrier function
- Textural changes
Middle Layer (Dermis and Muscles)
- Weakening of the frontalis muscle that lifts the eyebrows
- Restructuring of existing collagen and elastin networks
- Decreased production of new collagen and elastin
- Changes in facial muscle tone and coordination
Deep Layer (Fat and Bone)
- Shifts in fat distribution around the orbital rim
- Volume loss in the temples and forehead
- Subtle changes in bony support
- Repositioning of deep fat pads that support facial contours
Frequently Asked Questions
Most people notice changes in eyebrow position starting in their late 30s to early 40s. However, we've seen patients in their early 30s with genetically lower brows, and others in their 50s whose brows have maintained great position. Factors like sun exposure, smoking and even sleep position can affect how you age. What matters is how you look and feel, not age milestones.
Look for changes in the distance between your eyebrows and upper eyelids. You might unconsciously raise your brows or experience forehead fatigue if excess skin is accumulating in your upper eyelids. Visibly, your brows may flatten and lose their arch. The outer portion may appear significantly lower. If you have a pronounced case, your eyebrow position may fall below the orbital rim (the bone that forms your eye socket).
There are nonsurgical approaches that can help lift and rejuvenate the brow area. These treatments have effects like collagen stimulation and tissue contraction with no incisions or minimal incisions. Nonsurgical options generally involve minimal downtime and provide subtle, temporary improvements. Many patients prefer starting with these less invasive options before considering surgery, while others use them to maintain results after a surgical procedure.
Surgical approaches involve physically repositioning the eyebrow tissues and may remove excess skin, providing more dramatic and longer-lasting results. These procedures are typically performed under general anesthesia. Incisions, downtime and more significant risks are involved.
While facial exercises get a lot of attention online, the scientific evidence for their effectiveness is unfortunately quite limited. They do not address most of the underlying factors that cause brows to sag, such as skin laxity, collagen loss and changes in fat distribution.
Request Your Private
Consultation at OLA Aesthetics
If you have noticed changes in your brow position or are simply curious about what options might be right for you, we'd love to welcome you to our Perth clinic for a personalised consultation.