What Are Spock Eyebrows? Why They Happen & How to Avoid Them

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Everything you need to know about this Botox complication
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Spock eyebrows . They’re more common than you think, and if you’re considering getting Botox in your forehead, it’s important to be aware of. Spock brows are a side effect of Botox that causes your eyebrows to arch unnaturally high, and while it’s typically caused by novice injectors, even the most experienced injectors can make a mistake. And that’s why we spoke with board-certified dermatologist Aanand Geria, MD, to bring you the facts. Keep reading to learn why Spock brow happens and how it can be prevented and corrected.

What are Spock eyebrows after Botox?

According to board-certified dermatologist Aanand Geria, MD, Spock brows are when the eyebrows are lifted too high after Botox treatment, resulting in an unnatural looking arch. It happens when Botox is injected unevenly. Spock brow can be reversed with a follow-up injection, or it will naturally fade over 3-4 months.

Section 1 of 5:

What is a Spock brow?

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  1. Spock brows occur when the eyebrows arch too far upward after Botox. Botox is a chemical injection used to minimize and smooth wrinkles or prevent muscle movement. [1] Every Botox treatment comes with risks, with one of those being a “Spock brow,” which Dr. Geria describes as an “eyebrow elevation.” [2] Botox injected into the forehead, glabellar lines, or brow lifts incorrectly can result in the eyebrow arching angularly upward, resembling the signature look of Star Trek character Mr. Spock. [3]
    • Spock brow is also referred to as “Mephisto brows,” “devil brows,” or “Joker eyebrows.”
    • This side effect can occur with any neuromodulating medication and is not limited to Botox. Spock brow has also been seen with Dysport and Xeomin.
    • Will Spock brow go away on its own? Yes, a Spock brow will naturally and gradually fade on its own over 3 to 4 months as the Botox wears off.

    Meet the wikiHow Expert

    Aanand Geria, MD is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, Clinical Instructor, and owner of Geria Dermatology. His work has been featured in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology and Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery.

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Section 2 of 5:

What causes a Spock brow?

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  1. Spock brow is caused by uneven Botox in the forehead and/or brow. If a Botox forehead or eyebrow treatment is done incorrectly, it can result in negative effects, such as a Spock brow. Injecting the treatment into the upper face muscles is a delicate process, which is why Dr. Geria notes that Spock brow is “more common in novice injectors.” [4] If Botox is injected into the procerus muscle (the muscle that runs up the middle of the forehead) and the corrugator muscle (the muscle along the top of the brow) but not the frontalis muscle (the muscle that raises the eyebrows), the frontalis pulls up and out, creating an arched brow effect. [5]
    • Botox paralyzes muscles and blocks nerve signals to relax the facial muscles and smooth wrinkles. If improperly injected, the chemical can cause pain, muscle spasms, or inadequate results. [6]
    • Your anatomy can also affect the distribution of Botox. How your muscles and body respond to the injection can vary, which could lead to a Spock brow in rare cases. [7]
Section 3 of 5:

How long does Spock brow last?

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  1. Spock brow goes away on its own in 3 to 4 months. While it takes time, Spock brow will go away without additional treatments. Botox wears off after a few months, which is why follow-up injections are recommended every 3 to 4 months to maintain results. If you have a Spock eyebrow, it will slowly start to look less intense over 3 to 4 months as the Botox gradually wears off. [8]
    • Some patients say that the Spock brow effect starts to soften after a few weeks as the Botox settles and begins to fade away.
    • That said, it can take 3 to 4 months for a Spock brow to completely fade on its own, which is why many choose to have a follow-up injection to reverse the effect 2 weeks after the initial injection.
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Section 4 of 5:

Can a Spock brow be reversed?

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  1. Yes, a Spock brow can be reversed with a follow-up injection. If you notice Spock brow after your Botox treatment, it is possible to get the effect reversed with additional treatments. Dr. Geria even notes that it’s an “easy fix.” [9] However, you must be patient. It can take the chemicals in Botox up to 2 weeks to fully take effect, even if Spock brow is noticeable right away. Any follow-up preventative treatments must be completed at least 2 weeks after your initial treatment to ensure there are no further complications. [10] This is often called the “two-week tweak.”
    • How is Spock brow fixed? A Spock brow is fixed by placing Botox above the lifted brow.
    • How long does it take to be reversed? Once the follow-up Botox is injected, the brows should sink back where they belong within a couple of days.
    • Most injectors do not charge a fee to make adjustments like fixing Spock brow.
    • Know that “fixing” Botox treatment with additional injections can cause adverse side effects. If too much Botox is injected above the brow, it can cause droopy eyelids.
Section 5 of 5:

How to Avoid Spock Brow

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  1. Avoid Spock brow by using licensed, experienced Botox injectors. Botox comes with many risks, and even the most experienced injectors can make mistakes. Even so, you’re best way to avoid Spock brow (outside of not getting Botox at all) is to use well-trained Botox injectors who specialize in forehead treatments. [11] Discuss your concerns about Spock brow with your injector before your treatment.
    • Make sure that where you get your Botox is a licensed healthcare facility, and the medicine being used is FDA-approved. [12] Counterfeit Botox can cause harmful reactions and put your health at risk. [13]
    • Ask your healthcare provider for information about where to receive cosmetic or prescription Botox treatments.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/botox/about/pac-20384658
      2. ↑ Aanand Geria, MD. Board-Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ https://lighttouchorlando.com/blog/solving-the-spock-brow-from-botox-a-quick-and-easy-fix/
      4. ↑ Aanand Geria, MD. Board-Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview
      5. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557752/
      6. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/botox/about/pac-20384658
      7. ↑ https://lighttouchorlando.com/blog/solving-the-spock-brow-from-botox-a-quick-and-easy-fix/
      8. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/botox/about/pac-20384658
      9. ↑ Aanand Geria, MD. Board-Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview
      1. ↑ https://drdeankane.com/soon-can-go-back-fix-spock-brows/
      2. ↑ https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-botox-for-wrinkles-is-it-safe/
      3. ↑ https://stvincents.org/about-us/news-press/news-detail?articleId=55983
      4. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0416-Counterfeit-Botox.html

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