Eyebrow position: height, arch and tail
Quick facts
- Parameters
- Height (distance to the eye), arch (highest point) and tail (lateral end).
- Bony reference
- The superior orbital rim; the female brow usually sits above it, the male brow tends to sit on it.
- Muscles
- Elevator: frontalis. Depressors: corrugator, procerus, depressor supercilii and part of the orbicularis.
- Point of attention
- Changing the position with toxin requires assessing the balance between elevators and depressors.
Eyebrow position is one of the first things assessed in the upper third of the face. It influences expression (open, tired, serious), the amount of skin over the eyelid and how old a person looks. To describe the position, the professional uses three parameters: height, arch and tail.
Which parameters describe the eyebrow?
| Parameter | What it is | How it is assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Height | Distance between the eyebrow and the eye or the orbital rim | With the patient looking straight ahead and the forehead relaxed |
| Arch | Highest point of the eyebrow | Usually in the lateral third |
| Tail | Lateral end | Relative to the outer corner of the eye and the line of the brow head |
The relationship with the bone also counts: the brow is usually higher in women, above the orbital rim, and lower and straighter in men, sitting more on the brow ridge. These are tendencies, not rules.
How do age and anatomy change the position?
Over time, gravity, volume loss and muscle action tend to lower the tail and reduce the distance between the brow and the eye, creating a heavier look. Brow ptosis can be mistaken for excess eyelid skin, and the reverse also happens.
Balance is maintained by opposing forces:
- Elevation: the frontalis muscle lifts the brow.
- Depression: the corrugator, the procerus, the depressor supercilii and the upper portion of the orbicularis oculi pull it down.
Why does it matter in HOF?
- Botulinum toxin: the final position depends on the balance between elevators and depressors. Reducing the depressors can slightly lift the tail, while weakening the frontalis too much can drop the brow. See botulinum toxin and dynamic wrinkles.
- Temples and arch: the volume of the temple and of the lateral bone influences support of the tail.
- Differences between sides: brow asymmetry is common and often pre-existing. Photographing beforehand protects the professional and guides the patient.
- Surgery: when there is excess skin or significant ptosis, the path may be surgical, and the indication belongs to the physician.
Also called: brow height, brow ptosis (when lowered).
Frequently asked questions
What is the ideal eyebrow position?
There is no single measurement. Position varies with sex, age and anatomy, and aesthetic preference changes too. The professional assesses harmony with the face as a whole.
Can toxin lift the eyebrow?
By reducing the action of the depressor muscles, there may be a subtle lift of the tail or the arch. The effect depends on assessment and technique, and the opposite can happen, with drooping, if the frontalis is weakened too much.