I am hearing this question more and more lately. I will explain the facial anatomy and what happens to the skin when the muscles of the brows, forehead and around the eyes are relaxed.
The muscles that lift the brows up (levitators) are called the frontalis. This sheet of muscles causes horizontal lines across the forehead.
The muscles that pull the brows inward and down (depressors) are part of the glabellar region. These cause the "number 11s" or vertical lines between the eyebrows directly above the nose.
Then we have the muscles that pull down the outside part of the eyebrow and contract around the eyes. These are called the obicularis occuli and cause the "squint" and crow's feet wrinkles.
When you inject the glabellar region with a neuromodulator like Botox, Dysport or Nuceiva, those muscles relax and the eyebrows lift centrally and they slightly separate. The fine lines that are caused from the contracted muscles smooth out.
When we relax the depressor action of the obicularis oculi, the tail of the eyebrow stays up, the eye opens up and the crow's feet smooth out.
Sometimes when we only relax those two areas the brows can appear raised or "spocked." For a more natural and balanced look, it's important to relax both the depressors and the levitators. An experienced injector will have you back for a follow-up and work to find the dosage and placement that works best for you.
As always, if you have any questions I'd be happy to set up a consultation and meet with you, I'm here to help.
