What if your eyes feel heavier after getting forehead Botox? Differences from a forehead lift and selection criteria (Before and after photos)

 

hello, Director Baek In-soo of Garnet Plastic Surgery no see.
In the clinic, I frequently encounter patients who say, "I got Botox for my forehead wrinkles, and while the wrinkles improved, my eyes actually feel heavier." This is a classic scenario that occurs when a decision is made based solely on wrinkles.

 

Forehead wrinkles are not simply a skin problem. Movement of the frontal muscles, position of the eyebrows, sagging of the forehead and eyelids These factors often have a combined effect. Therefore, even for the same forehead wrinkles, Botox is appropriate for some people, while a different approach is required for others.

 

Today, I will explain step-by-step how forehead Botox and a forehead lift differ, in what cases a forehead lift can be considered, and the principles behind Garnet Plastic Surgery's Pentaxfix forehead lift.

 

🔹 Why do forehead wrinkles form?

Repetitive contractions of the frontal muscles and sagging due to aging work together.

Horizontal wrinkles on the forehead are mainly Frontalis muscle It is related to the repetitive contraction of the frontal muscle. When you raise your eyebrows or make facial expressions, the frontal muscle moves repeatedly, causing wrinkles to form on the skin.

 

However, as you get older, the following changes may also come into play.

 

🔸 Decrease in elasticity of forehead skin and soft tissues
🔸 Downward movement of the eyebrows
🔸 Sagging of the upper eyelid skin
🔸 Movement of the muscles between the eyebrows and around the eyes

 

Therefore, when looking at forehead wrinkles, not only the wrinkles themselves Evaluating the position of the forehead and eyebrows together This is important.

 

🔹 How does forehead Botox work?

This is a method to temporarily reduce the movement of the muscles that cause wrinkles.

Forehead Botox is a method that temporarily weakens the movement of the frontal muscle to reduce the action of the muscle that repeatedly causes wrinkles.

 

Advantages of forehead Botox	reason
A relatively simple procedure	This is because it is performed via injection without an incision.
The recovery period is relatively short.	The burden of returning to daily life is relatively light.
Helps improve dynamic forehead wrinkles	This is because it directly reduces the cause of wrinkles that form when making facial expressions.

 

However, the frontal muscle is not simply a muscle that creates wrinkles. It also plays a role in lifting the eyebrows. Therefore, depending on the individual's eyebrow and eyelid condition, eyebrows may droop or the eyes may feel heavy after Botox.

 

🔹 Why Eyes Feel Heavy After Forehead Botox

This is because the compensatory action of using the frontal muscles to open the eyes decreases.

For those whose eyelids or eyebrows are already drooping, use the frontal muscle to lift the eyebrows while opening the eyes. Compensatory action This may occur. In this state, if the movement of the frontal muscle decreases, the following flow may occur.

 

Reduced frontal muscle movement
↓
Reduced strength in lifting eyebrows
↓
Eyebrows look droopy
↓
The skin of the upper eyelid may appear more covered
↓
Your eyes may feel heavy or stuffy

 

Therefore, rather than deciding on forehead Botox based solely on the degree of wrinkles... Checking for sagging of the eyebrows and upper eyelids together This is important.

 

🔹 What is different about a forehead lift?

It is a surgery that corrects the position by moving sagging tissue upward.

Forehead lifting is not simply a surgery to smooth out forehead wrinkles. It involves moving sagging forehead, eyebrows, and upper facial soft tissues upward and Surgery to improve sagging by fixing in the appropriate position no see.

 

🔸 Forehead Botox
Reduces the movement of muscles that cause wrinkles.

 

🔸 Forehead lift
It moves sagging tissue upward to correct the position of the eyebrows and forehead, and selectively regulates the action of wrinkle-forming muscles if necessary.

 

The key is not just looking at the wrinkles. Viewing the structure and function of the entire upper face together no see.

 

In surgery, depending on the patient's condition, it is crucial to dissect the tissues supporting the forehead and eyebrows, reposition the sagging forehead and eyebrows to the desired location, and securely fix them in place. Even in cases of severe forehead wrinkles, the movement of the wrinkle-forming muscles is not unconditionally eliminated; instead, the muscles can be selectively adjusted by considering their location and movement.

 

In other words, the goal of the surgery is not to "remove the entire frontal muscle," but Reducing excessive wrinkle formation and correcting sagging upper facial contours to an appropriate position You can understand it as follows.

 

🔹 Forehead lift can be considered for these people

We see cases where wrinkles and sagging appear together.

You may consider a forehead lift if the following characteristics appear together.

 

✔ Cases where horizontal forehead wrinkles are deep and appear repeatedly
✔ When eyebrows appear lower than before
✔ Cases where the upper eyelid skin sags and covers the eye
✔ When you strain your forehead to open your eyes
✔ If you have experienced heavy or stuffy eyes after forehead Botox
✔ If you want to improve forehead wrinkles and sagging eyebrows and eyelids together

 

but Not all forehead wrinkles require a forehead lift. The appropriate treatment method may vary depending on the cause of the wrinkles and the position of the eyebrows and eyelids.

 

 

🔹 How is the Pentaxfix forehead lift performed?

It proceeds with 5 points that consider both stability and balance.

Garnet Plastic Surgery's Pentaxfix forehead lift is performed by considering five major points.

 

🔸 ① 2 Endotines
The elevated tissue is stably fixed using Endotines on both sides.

 

🔸 ② 1 main tunnel
Bone tunneling is formed in the skull to secure additional fixation points.

 

🔸 ③ Bilateral myofascial correction
We correct the fascia on both the left and right sides together to consider the position and balance of the elevated tissue.

 

🔸 ④ Correction of forehead and eyebrow position
It does not simply pull the skin, but also considers the sagging forehead and eyebrow position together.

 

🔸 ⑤ Fixation considering the balance of the upper face
The goal is to fix it in a natural position, tailored to the individual's forehead and eyebrow shape.

 

What is important in forehead lifting is 'balance' The goal is not to make the eyebrows unconditionally high. Because eyebrows that are too high can actually create an unnatural impression, Height of the forehead, position and shape of the eyebrows, degree of upper eyelid drooping, asymmetry of the left and right eyebrows, direction and depth of forehead wrinkles, function of opening the eyes You must consider this comprehensively.

 

🔹 Things to Know About Pre-Surgery Checkups and the Recovery Process

It is not a surgery decided solely based on the depth of the wrinkles.

Forehead lifting is not a surgery decided solely based on the depth of wrinkles. Before surgery, the following must be comprehensively verified.

 

🔸 Current position of the eyebrows
🔸 Sagging of the upper eyelid skin
🔸 Length and shape of the forehead
🔸 Asymmetry of left and right eyebrows
🔸 Degree of forehead wrinkles and frown lines
🔸 Eye-opening habits and the degree of frontal muscle use
🔸 History of surgery around the eyes or forehead

 

In addition, since a forehead lift is a surgical procedure, various recovery processes and side effects may occur depending on the individual.

 

✔ Commonly occurring changes — Swelling and bruising, tightness, decreased sensation in the forehead or scalp, temporary asymmetry, scalp discomfort
✔ Rare but worth considering — Surgery-related complications such as infection or bleeding, persistent paresthesia, scarring issues, eyebrow asymmetry, excessive or insufficient elevation, and nerve damage
Therefore, before surgery Identifying both the expected changes and potential side effects through sufficient consultation This is important.

 

 

🔹 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Do my eyes always feel heavy after getting forehead Botox?

No. It does not occur in everyone. However, if your eyebrows or upper eyelids are already drooping, or if you have a strong compensatory mechanism of using the frontal muscles to open your eyes, there is a possibility that your eyes may feel heavy.

 

Q2. Do I absolutely need a forehead lift if I have forehead wrinkles?

No. Depending on the cause of the wrinkles and the degree of eyebrow and eyelid sagging, Botox or other treatments may be more suitable.

 

Q3. Does a forehead lift make the eyes bigger?

If sagging eyebrows and forehead were covering the upper eyelids, correcting them upwards can make the eye shape appear more defined. However, the degree of change varies depending on the individual's anatomical condition.

 

Q4. Will forehead wrinkles disappear completely if I get a forehead lift?

Forehead wrinkles are caused by a complex interplay of various factors, including not only muscle movement but also skin elasticity and aging. Therefore, rather than expecting all wrinkles to disappear completely, the goal is to improve both the movements that cause wrinkles and the sagging that lead to them.

 

Q5. What is the most important thing in a forehead lift?

It is not simply about pulling too hard, but about creating a natural balance by considering the position of the eyebrows, forehead, and upper eyelids together with the function of opening the eyes.

 

🔹 Conclusion

🔹 Key Points
Forehead wrinkles are not just a skin issue. The movement of the frontal muscle, the position of the eyebrows, and the sagging of the upper eyelids all work together. Forehead Botox is How to reduce the movement of wrinkle-causing muscles And, forehead lifting is Surgery to correct the position of sagging tissue The biggest difference is that...

 

🔹 Verification points
If you have experienced heavy eyes after Botox, that itself could be a sign that you need to check for sagging of your eyebrows and upper eyelids. Not only the depth of the wrinkles Where your eyebrows are, and whether you tense your forehead when you open your eyes Take a look at it together.

 

🔹 Reasons why specialist consultation is necessary
In forehead lifting, rather than simply smoothing out wrinkles, I... Naturally restoring upper facial balance while preserving the function of opening the eyes We place great importance on this. Since the causes of forehead wrinkles vary from person to person, the most important step is the process of accurately diagnosing what method is necessary for you.

 

In front of the mirror, check not only your forehead wrinkles but also the height of your eyebrows and the movement of your forehead when you open your eyes. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have at any time ✨

 

📖 Reference Materials
· Anatomical consideration for botulinum toxin injection of the frontalis muscle based on analysis of intramuscular innervation. Scientific Reports. 2025;15:8919. (A study analyzing the intramuscular nerve distribution of the frontal muscle to address anatomical criteria to be considered when injecting botulinum toxin)
· Complications of Botulinum toxin A: An updated review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2021. (A review summarizing complications such as eyebrow and eyelid sagging that may occur after botulinum toxin treatment)

 

 

Garnet Plastic Surgery Clinic

Director Baek In-soo

- Graduated from Korea University College of Medicine
- Graduated from Korea University Graduate School (Major in Plastic Surgery)
- Plastic surgeon at the National Medical Center
- (Former) Chief Director of Jewelry Plastic Surgery Clinic
- Regular member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- Regular member of the Korean Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
- Regular member of the Korean Craniofacial Society
- Regular member of the Facial Contouring Research Group of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- Regular member of the Oculoplastic Surgery Research Group of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- Regular member of the Rhinoplasty Research Group of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons