Changes in Eyebrow Position and Movement with Aging

• Published in: Archives of plastic surgery Vol. 44; no. 1; pp. 65 - 71
• Main Authors: Park, Jeongseob, Yun, Sangho, Son, Daegu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc 01.01.2017; The Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons; 대한성형외과학회
• Subjects: aging; anthropometry; eyebrow; female; Original; Original Article; physiology; 성형외과학; Aging; Female; Physiology; Eyebrow; Anthropometry
• ISSN: 2234-6163; 2234-6171
• DOI: 10.5999/aps.2017.44.1.65

Background This study evaluated dynamic changes in eyebrow position related to aging. Methods Female participants were recruited and separated into two groups aged 20–30 years (the younger group, n=20; mean age, 24.8 years) and 50–70 years (the older group, n=20; mean age, 55.8 years). Photogrammetry was used to determine the eyebrow position at the medial canthus (MC), lateral limbus, lateral canthus, and lateral end point (EP) for 6 actions: smooth opening (the reference action) and closing of the eye, forward gaze, maximum opening and closing of the eye, and maximum frown. Videos were also recorded. Results No differences in eyebrow position were detected at the MC when opening or closing the eyes smoothly, gazing straight ahead, or closing the eyes maximally. For all 6 actions, the position of the lateral EP in the older group was significantly lower than in the younger group (P=0.003), and the smallest degree of vertical movement at this point was found in both age groups (P<0.001). Vertical movement at the 4 landmarks of the eyebrows decreased with aging. Conclusions Eyebrow position was unchanged at the MC with aging, except at maximal eye opening and maximal frown. No differences in eyebrow position were observed between the younger and older groups when eyes were maximally closed, except at the EP. It is important to focus on correction of the lateral EP for periorbital rejuvenation.