[Sportschosun, Reporter Jang Jong-ho] Eyebrows are an important feature that greatly affects the eyes, facial expression, and overall impression. But as we age, skin elasticity decreases and the tissues around the forehead and eyes begin to sag, causing the eyebrows to droop as well. Depending on where the eyebrows sag, the face can look different. Drooping brows can also press on the skin of the upper eyelids, blocking vision or making it difficult to open the eyes.
Changes in eyebrow position can have a major impact on facial appearance. When the outer ends of the eyebrows sag, the face can look sleepy and older. When the inner brows droop, however, the space between the eyebrows may appear narrower, creating a frowning look that can be mistaken for anger.
Sagging skin can also cover the area above the pupils and obstruct vision. If people unconsciously overuse their forehead muscles to keep their eyes open, forehead wrinkles deepen and functional discomfort such as eye strain and headaches can follow.
Go Hyo-seon, head of plastic surgery at Seran General Hospital, said, "It is important to accurately diagnose eyelid ptosis and eyebrow ptosis. In cases where eyelid ptosis is the main issue, the eyebrow position is relatively normal, but the upper eyelid skin stretches and covers the double eyelid crease." She added, "By contrast, eyebrow ptosis causes the brows to descend toward the orbital bone, and forehead wrinkles become more pronounced when opening the eyes."
If sagging eyelid skin is the main cause and the eyebrow position has not dropped significantly, a sub-brow lift can help. The procedure involves making an incision along the line beneath the eyebrow, removing the sagging skin, and pulling the tissue upward before fixing it in place. It is especially effective when there is enough space between the eyes and the eyebrows.
If the entire eyebrow has drooped significantly and you rely heavily on your forehead to open your eyes, a forehead lift may be more appropriate. This procedure makes an incision inside the scalp or along the hairline, then lifts the sagging forehead and eyebrow tissues upward.
Go Hyo-seon advised, "Aging affects the forehead, eyebrows, and eyelids. Because each surgical method has different indications and expected results, a lack of understanding of the eye structure can actually make the expression look harsher. If you are worried that you look tired or angry, it may help to have not only the eyelids but also the eyebrow position evaluated."
Reporter Jang Jong-ho bellho@sportschosun.com
