Brows are a key indicator of facial expression and youthfulness — drooping brows make the eyes look tired, stern, and aged. The muscles responsible are the ‘brow depressors’: (1) Orbicularis oculi (pars orbitalis) — the ring muscle surrounding the eye socket; lateral contraction pulls down the outer brow (tail). (2) Depressor supercilii — at the inner brow, pulling the inner brow down when contracted. (3) Corrugator supercilii — between the brows, pulling the inner brows inward and downward. Meanwhile the ‘brow elevator’ — the frontalis — is the only muscle that lifts the brows. When depressors are overactive and the frontalis must work double-time to maintain brow position, deep forehead lines develop over time while brows remain drooping. The principle of Coretox brow lift: precisely relax overactive brow depressors (especially the lateral orbicularis oculi), allowing the frontalis to easily return brows to a higher position — non-surgical, 10 minutes, no downtime. Rappoel Dermatology near Gangnam Station, Seoul, provides Coretox non-surgical brow lift.
Technical Principles of Coretox Brow Lift
- Muscle balance theory: Brow position is determined by the balance between ‘brow depressors vs the elevator (frontalis)’ — Coretox is precisely injected into the lateral orbicularis oculi (below the brow tail), depressor supercilii, and corrugator supercilii, temporarily relaxing the downward pull so the frontalis gains relative advantage and brows naturally lift
- Precise point injection: A typical brow lift plan: lateral orbicularis oculi (3-5 units per side) plus depressor supercilii (2-3 units per side) plus corrugator supercilii (3-5 units per side) — with brow tail elevation as the main goal, and minimal inner-brow relaxation to avoid unnatural brow shape. Total volume approximately 15-25 units
- Brow shape preservation technique: Unlike traditional ‘full paralysis’ — brow lift emphasizes ‘partial relaxation’: only weakening the depressor pull without full paralysis, preserving natural dynamic expressions and avoiding the ‘stiff brow’
- Relationship with the frontalis: Strictly avoid the frontalis body itself during injection — only target the lateral orbicularis oculi and glabella muscles, preventing frontalis relaxation from paradoxically lowering the brows (the most common failure cause)
- Coretox characteristics: Coretox (Korean-manufactured toxin using the same type A botulinum 900kDa core protein as Botox) provides stable results, taking effect in 3-7 days and lasting 4-6 months
Treatment Strategies for Different Brow-Eye Concerns
- Drooping brow tail (tired eyes): Outer brow drooping with a tired look. Strategy: focus on relaxing the lateral orbicularis oculi (3-5 units per side) — the main muscle pulling down the brow tail; may combine minimal frontalis injection above the tail (1-2 units) for assisted elevation
- Drooping inner brow (stern look): Inner brow pulling down, appearing frowning and stern. Strategy: relax the depressor supercilii (2-3 units per side) plus corrugator supercilii (3-5 units per side) — inner brow elevation while softening glabellar lines
- Heavy eyelid type (ptosis-like): Heavy upper eyelid fat or loose skin making the eye-brow distance close. Strategy: brow lift injection as the base plus frontalis assistance above the tail (slightly increased total) — but assess whether true ptosis (muscular) exists; true ptosis needs other treatment
- Close eye-brow distance type: Brows too close to the eyes. Strategy: relax the lateral orbicularis oculi and depressor supercilii, lifting brows overall to open the eye-brow distance — each session improves the distance by 2-3mm
- Synergy with forehead lines type: Drooping brows with deep forehead lines. Strategy: brow lift injection plus forehead line injection (moderate) — relaxing the depressors reduces frontalis strain, combined with minimal frontalis relaxation to soften lines, dual improvement
Rappoel Coretox Brow Lift Treatment Protocol
- Consultation assessment (5 min): Static and dynamic (raising, frowning) evaluation of brow position, shape, and frontalis compensation → confirm droop type (tail/inner/overall) → design injection plan (points and volumes)
- Cleansing and marking (3 min): Forehead makeup removal → alcohol disinfection → mark injection points (lateral orbicularis oculi, depressor supercilii, corrugator supercilii)
- Precise injection (5-8 min): 30G fine needle → sequential injection: lateral orbicularis oculi (3-5 units per side) → depressor supercilii (2-3 units per side) → corrugator supercilii (3-5 units per side) → gentle pressure briefly
- Dynamic assessment (2 min): Patient raises and frowns to confirm preserved movement → check brow symmetry → micro-adjustment if needed
- Post-care instructions (2 min): Avoid lying flat and massaging the injection area for 4 hours → avoid strenuous exercise, sauna, and alcohol for 24 hours → avoid facial massage for 1 week → effects appear in 3-7 days, 2-week follow-up
Coretox brow lift takes about 10-15 minutes with no downtime; brows naturally lift in 3-7 days, lasting 4-6 months. Located 3 minutes from Gangnam Station Exit 10, with seamless English and Chinese consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Coretox brow lift and surgical brow lift?
Different mechanisms and scope: (1) Coretox brow lift — non-surgical, 10-15 minutes, no downtime; relaxes the brow depressors (lateral orbicularis oculi, depressor supercilii, corrugator supercilii) so the frontalis lifts the brows; suitable for mild-to-moderate muscular droop; lasts 4-6 months, requiring regular touch-ups. (2) Surgical brow lift — incisional or endoscopic repositioning and fixation of the brows, 1-2 weeks recovery, permanent results; suitable for severe droop with obvious skin laxity (age-related) or large positional adjustment. (3) Assessment — press the skin above the brow: if it lifts easily with finger pressure, the droop is muscular and Coretox works well; if loose skin cannot be lifted, surgery is more appropriate. Rappoel physicians perform this test during consultation.
Will my brows become completely immobile or ‘stiff’ after Coretox?
With proper technique, no — brow lift is about ‘partial relaxation,’ not full paralysis: (1) Volume control — only 3-5 units per side at the lateral orbicularis oculi, a moderate-low dose that weakens the downward pull while preserving most muscle function. (2) Point selection — only the brow depressors are injected; the frontalis is completely avoided, so raising brows remains fully possible. (3) Dynamic preservation — a good brow lift result is ‘higher brow position with natural raising and frowning expressions’ — Rappoel physicians have patients raise their brows repeatedly during the session to confirm. ‘Stiff brow’ typically occurs with excessive dosage or accidental frontalis injection — not expected at a proper clinic.
How soon do brow lift results appear? How long do they last?
Timeline and duration: (1) Onset — 3-5 days after injection brows feel easier to lift, with full effect at 7-14 days — the toxin needs time to bind nerve endings and block signals. (2) Peak — 2-4 weeks post-treatment shows the clearest result, eye-brow distance improving 2-3mm, eyes looking more alert. (3) Duration — effects last 4-6 months; the depressors gradually regain strength and brows slowly return. (4) Touch-up — recommended at 4-6 months; regular touch-ups maintain a stable elevated position. (5) Note — results relate to starting position: lower brows have more room to improve; brows already high show limited change — Rappoel honestly communicates expected results during consultation.
Are there side effects? Will it affect eye function?
With proper technique, side effects are mild and manageable: (1) Common — mild redness and bruising at injection points (resolving in 3-5 days), occasional mild headache (rare, resolving in 24-48 hours). (2) Rare but noteworthy — over-elevated brow tail (with excessive dosage, usually self-resolving or physician-adjusted); eyelid ptosis (very rare, occurring when toxin spreads to the levator palpebrae — Rappoel strictly prevents via precise points, low volume, and injection technique avoiding downward spread). (3) Eye function unaffected — injection is in the brow skin-muscle layer, not involving the eyeball or optic nerves; blinking and eyelid closure remain normal. (4) Safety advice — choosing a proper clinic with experienced physicians is key to avoiding side effects.
Can brow lift be combined with frown line and forehead line treatment?
Yes, and it’s a classic synergistic combination: (1) Synergy principle — drooping brows force the frontalis to work harder, deepening forehead lines; after brow lift relaxes the depressors, frontalis strain decreases, and minimal frontalis injection softens the lines with multiplied effect. (2) Glabellar lines — the corrugator and depressor supercilii are both causes of glabellar lines; relaxing them also softens the ’11s.’ (3) Combined plan — typical: brow lift (lateral orbicularis oculi + depressor supercilii + corrugator supercilii) plus forehead lines (3-5 micro-points on the frontalis), total approximately 25-40 units. (4) Note — frontalis injection must avoid the area directly above the brows, which would paradoxically push them down. Rappoel physicians precisely allocate dosage based on brow position, achieving ‘lifted brows + softened lines’ simultaneously.
Drooping brows making you look tired? Rappoel Coretox non-surgical brow lift — 10 minutes for naturally lifted brows!
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