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0:14 • Published 21 Oct 2026 • Dr Ed Robinson
Good vs Bad Frown Botox: Heavy Brows or a Lift?
The short answer
It comes down to placement. Frown treatment placed too high, in the lower forehead above the inner brow, relaxes the lower part of the frontalis, the muscle that lifts the brows, and can make you look heavy. Placed within the brow depressors, the muscles that pull the brows down, it softens the frown and can give the inner brow a subtle lift.Founder and Medical Director • Last reviewed 22 October 2026
In brief
Key Takeaways
- 01Small differences in where frown treatment is placed can have a big effect on the result.
- 02Placed too high, above the inner brow, toxin relaxes the lower part of the frontalis and can make the brows look heavy.
- 03The frontalis is the muscle that lifts the brows, so relaxing its lower fibres takes away some of that lift.
- 04Placed within the brow depressors, the muscles that pull the brows down, toxin softens the frown and can lift the inner brow.
- 05Choose an injector who understands facial anatomy and can explain where each injection goes and why.
Dr Ed Robinson explains
The Detail
In this short video I mark two versions of frown line treatment on my own face. The red points show a frown treatment that can make you look heavy, and the green points show one that can lift the brows.
The frown lines between the brows are made by the brow depressors, the muscles that pull the brows down and together. The frontalis, across the forehead, is the muscle that lifts the brows. Toxin works by relaxing whichever muscle it is placed in, so where the frown treatment goes decides which way the brows move.
Bad: placed too high. The red points sit above the inner brow, in the lower forehead. Toxin here relaxes the lower part of the frontalis, which takes away some of the lift holding the inner brows up. The frown may soften, but the brows can sit lower and look heavy.
Good: placed within the frown. The green points sit lower, within the brow depressors. Relaxing these muscles softens the frown, and because the frontalis is left free to work, the inner brow can lift a little.
Small differences in placement can have a big effect on the cosmetic result, so it is essential to choose an injector who understands the nuances of facial anatomy. Your result is checked at a review appointment 2 to 4 weeks after treatment, when the toxin is fully working. Unwanted toxin effects are temporary. Most settle sooner, but they can take up to 4 months to wear off.
Video transcript
This video has music and on-screen text only, with no narration. The text below is the on-screen text; the video marks the heavy placement in red with a cross (bad) and the lifting placement in green with a tick (good).
Good vs Bad Frown Botox. Frown treatment that makes you look heavy (bad). Frown treatment that lifts the brows (good). Relaxes lower part of frontalis (bad). Relaxes brow depressors causing a lift (good).
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can frown line Botox make your brows look heavy?
Yes, if it is placed too high. Toxin in the lower forehead above the inner brow relaxes the lower part of the frontalis, the muscle that lifts the brows, so they can sit lower. Unwanted effects are temporary and can take up to 4 months to wear off.
Can frown line treatment lift the eyebrows?
It can give a subtle inner brow lift. Relaxing the brow depressors, the muscles that pull the brows down, while the frontalis keeps working, lets the inner brow sit a little higher.
How do I avoid a heavy frown after Botox?
Choose an experienced injector who assesses your anatomy and places the frown treatment within the brow depressors rather than too high in the forehead. They should be able to explain why they recommend each injection point.
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