Brow Lift
A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, rejuvenates the area of the face above the eyes to restore a more refreshed appearance that more accurately reflects a patient’s natural vibrance. A brow lift can correct a heavy, sagging brow, eliminate deep furrows, and restore a smoother, more youthful contour to the upper one-third of the face by removing excess sagging skin on the forehead and repositioning the underlying muscles and tissues.
One of the biggest concerns amongst patients interested in a brow lift is resulting in a “surprised look”. But, when skillfully performed, your surgery will result in a smooth forehead and a nicely refined appearance of the eyelid and orbital skin.
Loss of skin elasticity and the appearance of static lines are unavoidable signs of aging, and they frequently appear across your brow. Furthermore, brow sag, also known as brow ptosis, contributes to at least 50% of the visible problem with the upper eyelids. Permanent brow furrows and lines across the upper part of the nose, combined with sagging skin around the eyes, frequently give men and women the appearance of being sad, mad, or tired.
Fortunately, advancements in cosmetic surgery have enabled several solutions to this problem. Botox can have a significant impact on fine lines on the forehead or a slight lift of the brow, allowing you to regain your youthful appearance. Botox, on the other hand, cannot treat sagging skin. A forehead lift is the only way to permanently rejuvenate your appearance if you have deep lines and sagging skin.
Types of Brow Lift Surgery
Cosmetic surgeons employ a variety of brow lift surgery techniques; which is best for any given patient is determined by the patient’s goals, unique anatomy, and the extent of corrections required to achieve the desired results.
Endoscopic Brow Lifting: Endoscopic brow lift surgery is becoming more popular among cosmetic surgeons because it is less invasive than previous techniques while producing comparable results. Your cosmetic surgeon will make a series of very short incisions (about 34″ in length) just behind the hairline for an endoscopic brow lift. He or she will then use a special tiny camera and thin instruments to reposition the muscles and lift the underlying tissues of the forehead, removing excess fat and tissue as needed to create a naturally more youthful brow.
Brow Lift with Temporal or Limited Incision: A temporal brow lift has slightly longer incisions than an endoscopic brow lift and is usually done in conjunction with eyelid surgery. Just above each temple, behind the hairline, 1 inch long incisions are made. Your cosmetic surgeon will lift and reposition the tissues of the outer brow area through these incisions. The area between the brows is then lifted to smooth out frown lines using incisions made for an upper eyelid procedure.
Brow Lift, Classic or Coronal: The coronal brow lift, which was once the standard technique, has generally fallen out of favor, as well-qualified cosmetic surgeons can usually make needed improvements with less invasive techniques. However, in some cases, a coronal brow lift may be required to achieve the desired results for a patient. This method involves making one long incision behind the hairline that runs from ear to ear. Excess skin, fat, and tissue are removed, and the remaining skin and brow muscles are repositioned to give the appearance of being younger.
Preparation for Brow Lift Surgery
Everything begins with an initial consultation, during which you will be asked about the reasons you want to have surgery. Your doctor will evaluate your brow, eye, and forehead skin, as well as your overall health, after gaining a thorough understanding of your goals for this procedure. Smoking, medications you are taking, uncontrolled high blood pressure, a tendency to form excessive scars, and blood clotting problems are all general health factors that will be considered. It’s critical to be open and honest your doctor about any of these conditions that may apply to you, as he will need to be aware of them in order to reduce the possibility of complications during or after your procedure. Before the surgery, it is highly recommended to stop smoking since smoking can negatively impact the healing process and increase the risk of complications, so it’s important to quit smoking at least several weeks before and after the procedure.
Brow Lift Surgery Procedure
Here are the general steps involved in a typical brow lift surgery:
- Anesthesia: The patient is given either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation to ensure they are comfortable and pain-free during the procedure.
- Incision: The surgeon makes small incisions either at the hairline or in the scalp, depending on the type of brow lift being performed.
- Lifting the brow: The surgeon will then use specialized instruments to lift the skin and underlying tissues of the forehead and brow area. This will help to smooth out wrinkles and lines, and elevate the eyebrows to a more youthful position.
- Closure: Once the desired results have been achieved, the surgeon will carefully close the incisions using sutures or staples, and apply a dressing to protect the area.
- Recovery: The patient will be monitored in a recovery room until they are alert and stable enough to go home. They will receive detailed instructions on how to care for the incision site, manage any discomfort or swelling, and when to schedule follow-up appointments with their surgeon.
The specific details of a brow lift surgery may vary depending on the patient’s individual needs and the surgeon’s preferred techniques. It’s important to discuss the procedure in detail with a qualified plastic surgeon to determine if it’s the right option for you, and to ensure you have a realistic understanding of what to expect before, during, and after the surgery.
Brow lift surgery is an outpatient procedure performed using general anesthesia or intravenous sedation with local anesthesia. Incisions may be closed with sutures or staples, which are typically removed about 1 week after surgery. Patients typically experience very little pain after a brow lift, but slight discomfort and a sensation of tightness. Swelling and bruising are most common during the first 10 days or so after surgery, and are mostly resolved after about 2 weeks. The timeline for resuming activity after a brow lift depends on the individual. Recovery milestones following brow lift surgery include walking around the house, showering, returning to a sedentary job, returning to driving, and gradually resume exercise.
Benefits of Brow Lift Surgery
By surgically lifting and tightening the skin & muscle, a brow lift:
- Eliminates brow furrows (known as the 1’s)
- Releases wrinkles between the eyes above the nose
- Smoothes the fine lines and deeps lines across the forehead
- Lifts the brow for a more youthful appearance, enhancing the appearance of the eyes
The issue with an aging forehead is how it affects our facial expressions—a sagging, heavily furrowed brow can make us appear tired, worried, or even angry. Some of us are also genetically predisposed to have a heavier, thicker brow, making us appear to be frowning even when we are not. A brow lift addresses these issues directly, giving patients a more naturally refreshed appearance as well as other benefits:
- Your eyes will appear brighter and more awake.
- Because you are no longer concerned about appearing “worried,” your self-confidence can improve.
- Others may find you more approachable now that they don’t mistake you for angry or concerned.
