Ideal Eyebrow Shape: A Surgeon’s Quick Guide
Proportions that read “natural”
- Start: Align the medial brow with a vertical line from the ala of the nose through the inner canthus.
- Arch: Peak sits above the lateral limbus (often trending slightly lateral with age/face shape).
- Tail: Ends on a line from the ala through the lateral canthus; medial and lateral ends are roughly level.
These landmarks come from well-accepted aesthetic analyses and remain a reliable starting point we customize to your anatomy and goals.
Thickness, trend, and balance
Thickness cycles with fashion, but balance is timeless: a gentle lateral rise (not a sharp medial peak) avoids the “surprised” look. We also match brow height to forehead length and eyelid show for harmony.
Shaping options (from grooming to surgery)
- Grooming & neuromodulators: Strategic trimming/tinting plus small-dose Botox can nudge the tail up and soften frown lines without changing hair.
- Brow lift: Elevates a descended brow when skin laxity flattens the arch; endoscopic or open approaches are chosen by hairline/forehead height and goals. Learn about brow lift.
- Eyebrow restoration (transplant): When hair is sparse, we transplant follicles from the scalp to build fuller, permanent brows tailored to your face. See eyebrow restoration.
FAQ
Where should my arch be?
Typically above the lateral limbus—not directly over the pupil. We shift slightly based on eye spacing and age.
My brows are low—lift or transplant?
If position is the issue, a brow lift helps. If hair is sparse, transplant. Some patients benefit from both.
Do men follow the same rules?
We keep a flatter, lower male brow (near the orbital rim) to preserve a natural masculine look.
Updated for clarity on proportions and modern options.
Board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in breast, face, and body procedures.
