Brow Lift
Source: https://www.plasticsurgery.org
A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift:
Reduces the wrinkle lines that develop horizontally across the forehead, as well as those that occur on the bridge of the nose, between the eyes
Improves frown lines, the vertical creases that develop between the eyebrows
Raises sagging brows that are hooding the upper eyelids
Places the eyebrows in an alert and youthful position
Other cosmetic procedures that may be performed with a brow lift include:
Upper and or lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
Facelift
Skin resurfacing techniques
Who is a good candidate for a brow lift?
You may be a candidate for brow lift surgery if you:
Are physically healthy
Nonsmoker
Have a positive outlook and realistic goals
As we age, unsightly wrinkle lines may appear on the forehead. Frown lines between the brows can make us look angry or "too serious." Skin relaxation may cause the eyebrows to drop, hooding our upper eyelids and making us look tired. If you are bothered by these signs of aging in the brow region, a brow lift may be right for you.
What are the risks of a brow lift?
The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the surgery will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of a brow lift are acceptable.
You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications.
Brow lift surgery risks include:
Anesthesia risks
Bleeding
Loss of hair around the incisions
Elevated hairline
Eye irritation or dryness
Facial asymmetry
Facial nerve injury with weakness or paralysis
Fluid accumulation
Infection
Numbness or other changes in skin sensation or intense itching
Pain, which may persist
Poor wound healing
Possibility of revision surgery
Skin loss
Unfavorable scarring
Rare risk of deep venous thrombosis (blood clots) that can result in pulmonary embolism with chest pain, shortness of breath
These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It's important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.
What are the steps of a brow lift procedure?
Step 1 – Anesthesia
You will be given anesthesia so that you will be comfortable during the surgical procedures. Your surgeon will suggest either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia.
Step 2 – The incision
Brow lifts can be performed in different ways. Some surgeons prefer using an endoscope (a thin tube with a camera on the end) and special instruments placed through small incisions made within the hairline. This allows the tissue and muscle beneath the skin to be adjusted, correcting the source of visible creases and furrows in the forehead.
Endoscopic incision
Some surgeons prefer to perform a browlift through what is called a "coronal incision" The coronal incision is created from ear to ear across the top of the head within the hair-bearing skin.
The forehead skin is then lifted and any muscle adjustment can be made under direct visualization. The resulting scar from a coronal brow lift is well concealed within the hair.
Coronal incision
For women with very high foreheads, an incision just at the anterior hairline may be recommended. In this way the brow can be lifted without altering the height of the front hairline. The resulting scar, while somewhat more visible, can often be hidden with bangs.
Step 3 – Closing the incisions
Brow lift incisions typically are closed with:
Removable or absorbable sutures
Skin adhesives
Special clips
Step 4 – See the results
Results appear within a few weeks as swelling and bruising subside to reveal smoother forehead skin and a more youthful, rested appearance.