A subtle lift, no incision required.
A nonsurgical brow lift uses precisely placed neuromodulator to relax the small muscles that pull the brow downward, allowing the muscle that lifts the brow to work with less resistance. The result is a softer, more open, less tired-looking upper face — achieved with an injection, not an incision.
Brow position is the result of an ongoing balance between the frontalis muscle, which lifts the brow, and a group of depressor muscles — including the corrugator, procerus, and lateral orbicularis oculi — that pull it down. Gravity, fat loss, and genetics gradually shift that balance over time, allowing the depressors to win out and the brow, particularly its outer tail, to settle lower.
A drooping outer brow doesn't just change the shape of the eye area — it can also crowd the upper eyelid, contributing to the appearance of hooding that patients sometimes mistake for an eyelid problem alone.
By precisely relaxing the depressor muscles at the outer brow with a neuromodulator (Dysport, Botox, or Xeomin — see our wrinkle relaxers page), the frontalis muscle is able to elevate the brow's outer tail without opposition, producing a subtle lift concentrated mainly at the lateral brow — not a full, all-over reshaping of the brow line.
Dr. Kim places product with precision to achieve this specific lateral effect; injecting the wrong location, or too broadly, can flatten the brow rather than lift it — which is why technique and placement matter as much as the product itself.
A nonsurgical brow lift works best for mild, primarily lateral brow ptosis. When brow descent is more moderate or severe, or when there's significant excess upper eyelid skin contributing to the tired appearance, a surgical brow lift — or eyelid surgery — will produce a more meaningful, longer-lasting result than injectables alone.
Dr. Kim will tell you directly during consultation which category your anatomy falls into, rather than attempting to stretch a nonsurgical approach beyond what it can reasonably achieve.
Results typically last 3–4 months, similar to other neuromodulator treatments, before the muscles gradually regain their normal movement and a touch-up is needed to maintain the lift.
Not with careful, precise placement. Dr. Kim targets the specific depressor muscles at the outer brow to create a subtle, natural-looking lift rather than an exaggerated or "startled" appearance.
No — a nonsurgical brow lift produces a more subtle, temporary lift concentrated at the outer brow, while surgery repositions the brow more substantially and permanently. Dr. Kim can help you determine which is the better fit for your degree of brow descent.
Most patients report little to no discomfort. The injections themselves feel similar to a quick pinch, and no downtime is required afterward.
"Dr. Kim always gets it just right — natural, never overdone. I've been going to him for years."
"Quick, easy appointment and beautiful, natural results every time."
"Friendly staff, minimal wait, and I always leave looking refreshed, not fake."