Saggy eyebrows are one of the main telltale signs of aging skin. Our skin’s elasticity and collagen diminish with our growing age. Plus, the muscles also become weaker. As a result, the skin around the eyebrows begins to droop. Many people look for permanent ways to tighten and lift their eyebrows, as saggy brows can make the face appear aged and exhausted. Stay with us as we explore all the treatments and prevention methods for saggy brows.
🩺 1. What Causes Saggy Brows?
The area around the eyes plays a key role in facial aesthetics. Saggy brows enhance the appearance of wrinkles, forehead lines, and age the face significantly. Some common factors that contribute to brow sagging are as follows:
Loss of Collagen And Elastin
Collagen and elastin are responsible for the plump and wrinkle-free appearance of the skin. Unfortunately, as we age, both of these proteins decrease gradually. This leads to more skin laxity and wrinkle formation.
Sun Damage And Free Radicals
UV radiation from the sun and free radical damage due to the pollutants in the atmosphere are a significant cause of skin sagging, wrinkles, pigmentation, and fine lines.
Repetitive Facial Expressions
People who are very expressive and use many facial expressions when talking are more prone to the formation of frown lines, smile lines, wrinkles, and sagging brows.
Gravity
Lifelong exposure to the downward pull of gravity also accelerates the process of skin laxity and wrinkle formation. This is a common cause of sagging brows in older people.
Genetics
Genetics influences the structure, collagen, and elastin levels, and the plumpness of the skin. Due to a positive family history, some individuals are more prone to developing saggy brows than others.
2. How to Prevent Saggy Brows Naturally
Unfortunately, there is no natural way to improve the appearance of saggy brows in genetically predisposed individuals. However, for other causes, improvement may be possible through the following steps:
A. Facial Exercises & Massage
If you have ever wondered how to prevent droopy eyebrows, the answer may lie in facial exercises and facial massage. Natural brow lifting exercises have a significant impact on the health and laxity of the brow muscles. Examples include forehead stretches and gentle brow lifts. Like any other exercise, these work by increasing muscle strength and decreasing laxity.
📌 Using tools like a gua sha for facial massage or getting lymphatic drainage massages that target lymph flow can also help prevent brow sagging.
B. Skincare Routine for Brow Support
An effective skincare routine goes a long way in maintaining the elasticity and youthfulness of facial skin, including the eyebrows. Active ingredients such as retinols, peptides, and vitamin C promote cell renewal, boost collagen, keep pigmentation at bay, and enhance skin appearance. Consistent use of effective sunscreen prevents UV-induced sagging and laxity.
C. Diet & Hydration
Diet and hydration status directly impact the overall health, elasticity, and tone of the facial skin. A diet high in essential nutrients is the building block for plump and firm skin and muscles.
Proteins help in maintaining collagen and elastin levels, while fats (Healthy) maintain skin plumpness. On the other hand, vitamin C promotes collagen production, reduces pigmentation, and prevents UV damage. Moreover, antioxidants prevent free radical damage.
🔴 Approximately 60% of the adult human body is water. Water is required to sustain cell shape. It also helps flush out toxins, ensure skin elasticity and firmness, and reduce the appearance of sagging. Maintaining proper hydration is the easiest way to prevent saggy brows. For the firmness and resilience of skin and muscles of the eyebrows and the periocular area, an effective skincare routine, a nutritious diet, and adequate hydration are required.
D. Sleep & Posture Habits
Mechanical trauma, like excessive rubbing and touching, is an important factor in promoting skin sagging and wrinkles. Mechanical habits repeated over a long period of time promote saggy brows and adversely impact skin elasticity. These include:
- Rubbing or tugging on the face, eyebrows, or forehead
- Manipulating the skin roughly when applying eye or brow makeup products
- Aggressive washing and drying of the face with a towel
- Pressing the face into the pillow while sleeping
- Leaning one side of the face on the palm as a habit
- Resting the forehead of the eyebrows on the hand for prolonged periods
- Excessive use of facial expressions in daily life
- wearing hats or tight headbands, or other garments around the forehead area, habitually
These mechanical habits either lead to or contribute to brow sagging by repeated stress and stretching. Over time, mechanical habits lead to a gradual breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers. This loosens the skin attachments and causes the formation of microtears in the skin and fascia. This is especially true for the sensitive and thin skin around the eyes and eyebrows. Constant friction and rubbing in this area is a common cause of sagging, wrinkles, fine lines, and crow’s feet.
🏥 3. When Natural Prevention Isn’t Enough: Surgical Solutions
In some cases, like a genetic predisposition to brow sagging, natural preventive efforts are not enough. However, all hope is not lost. Cosmetic surgical procedures, such as brow lift surgery options, offer a durable solution for this aesthetic issue.
Brow Lift Surgery
A brow lift or forehead lift surgery aims to raise the position of the eyebrows to achieve aesthetic improvement and youthful contours of the face. To access the tissues of the forehead and brows, an incision is made along the hairline or around the temples. This is followed by adjusting the skin, muscles, and connective tissue underneath to smooth wrinkles and raise the brows. After excising loose skin, the incision is sutured closed.
It takes approximately 1.5 to 3 hours to complete a traditional brow lift procedure. The benefits of a brow lift include the opening up of the periocular area, reduction in forehead wrinkles, and a more youthful contour to the face. Various types of brow lift surgery are available based on the extent of cosmetic alterations required. These include:
- Conventional brow lift (Coronal brow lift)
- Endoscopic brow lift
- Temporal brow lift
Conventional Brow Lift vs Endoscopic Brow Lift
A conventional browlift has a longer incision and is more invasive. Due to this reason, there is a higher risk of scarring and paresthesia, and the recovery period is longer. The outcome of a conventional brow lift is very effective and durable. It is a suitable surgery for extensive brow sagging.
An endoscopic lift has smaller incisions and is less invasive comparatively. The recovery period is shorter, and there is less risk of scarring and paresthesia. Unlike a traditional brow lift, an endoscopic lift lasts only 1 to 2 hours. It is more suited to mild to moderate brow sagging. The drawback of an endoscopic brow lift is the requirement for specialized equipment and the steep learning curve for the surgical techniques.
Brow Lift Recovery And Outcomes
The initial recovery period for a brow lift procedure lasts 10 to 14 days. Most people can resume daily life activities at this time. Complete healing and full realization of the cosmetic outcomes may take 3 to 6 months.
Get your consultation booked with Dr. Cengizhan Ekizceli—Turkey’s top plastic surgeon- by contacting us today!
