How to Prevent Dropped Brow with Botulinum Toxin Injections: Aesthetic Student’s Guide
As aspiring aesthetic professionals, mastering the art of botulinum toxin injections is crucial for delivering safe and satisfying cosmetic outcomes. On Level 7 Aesthetics Certificate we will not only look at the full process of botulinum toxin injections (often referred to as Botox®, which is actually a popular brand name and not the substance) including client consultation, marking up, injecting, and also insider tips from some of the UK’s most established Aesthetic Practitioners (who are some of the first Level 7 Aesthetics non-medic graduates). One particular skill we hope our learners will all master is how to handle and hopefully avoid complications, such as Dropped Brow from botulinum toxin. In this educational resource, we’ll equip aesthetic students with the knowledge and techniques necessary to avoid dropped brow issues during botulinum toxin treatments, ensuring confidence and competence in practice.
It is essential that practitioners are trained, qualified, insured and fully understand facial anatomy and how to safely carry out this treatment. Complications can arise in the hands of amateurs. We strongly encourage all to consider taking our Master of Aesthetics 7 route. This includes everything from the ground up, with the latest OFQUAL regulated beauty, laser and aesthetic qualifications, including the Level 7 Aesthetics certificate as well as a First Aid qualification.
Dropped brow from Botulinum Toxin, also known as “brow ptosis” or “brow descent,” refers to a potential side effect that can occur when anti-wrinkle injections are administered improperly or excessively in the forehead area. Botulinum toxin (type A), is commonly used for cosmetic purposes to reduce wrinkles and fine lines by temporarily paralysing facial muscles.
When it is injected incorrectly or too heavily into the forehead muscles, it can cause excessive relaxation or weakening of the muscles responsible for lifting the eyebrows. As a result, the brow may appear to droop or descend, giving the individual a tired or unhappy appearance.
This side effect typically occurs when the product spreads beyond the intended treatment area or when too much Botulinum Toxin is injected into the forehead muscles. In the short video on this page, a-training CEO Chris Wade (the founder of Level 7) explores how to avoid giving your clients treatments that could lead to this complications.
Brow ptosis holds significant relevance in aesthetic procedures as it can dramatically alter facial expressions and overall appearance.
Discussing treatment goals and potential side effects with your clients is always an essential part of any cosmetic consultation. If dropped brow does occur, it is usually temporary and resolves as the effects of the treatment (such as Botox® or other brands of Botulinum Toxin) wear off, typically within a few months.
One of the key areas when we are looking at injecting botulinum toxin into the brow area is the distance between the temple and the hairline. As the video shows, measure the distance and look at how concave the area is and whether there is any hollowing. Hollowing and shorter distances generally mean your client will be more prone to a dropped brow and to heaviness on the eyelid area. To help prevent this complication from your treatment, you need to allow the frontales to raise and engage. This will covered on Level 7 aesthetics OFQUAL qualification, but if you already are a qualified Level 7 graduate carrying out these treatments then the short video on this page should act as a good reminder of this.
On the Level 7 we will cover:
1. Understanding Dropped Brow and otters :
– Exploring the anatomical factors contributing to dropped brow post-injections.
2. Injection Site Selection:
– The importance of precise site selection to minimise the risk of brow ptosis.
– Highlight key areas to avoid and alternative injection sites for optimal results.
3. Dosage and Dilution:
– Exploring the correlation between dosage, dilution, and the likelihood of complications like dropped brow.
– Provide guidelines for calculating appropriate doses and dilutions based on patient characteristics.
4. Injection Technique:
– During Level 7 we will look at injection depth, angle, and tissue manipulation, to reduce the risk of dropped brow.
– Realise the importance of steady hand movements and controlled injection pressure.
5. Patient Assessment and Consultation:
– Outline the essential steps in patient assessment to identify potential risk factors for dropped brow.
– Discuss effective communication strategies during consultations to manage patient expectations and address concerns.
6. Post-Treatment Care:
– Educate students on how to advise clients on post-injection care protocols to optimise results and mitigate complications.
– Emphasise the importance of follow-up appointments for monitoring and potential adjustments.
As well as the treatment and injecting, we will also look at marking up a client for botulinum toxin injections and the best way to do this to avoid compilations. As well as relevant anatomy and underpinning knowledge.
