Stop the Descent with a Brow Lift

You may be wondering why people often ask if you’re angry, sad or tired. Chances are, it’s got nothing to do with your mood or the amount of sleep you get. As we age, the muscles and tissues in our foreheads and brows can descend, which can lead to wrinkles and furrows in the brow and a tired appearance in the eyebrows and eyelids. A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, may be the solution to restoring your rested, youthful look.

Procedure
Unless otherwise determined by your doctor, your brow lift surgery will be performed under local anesthesia with a mild sedative to make you drowsy. Taking two to four hours to complete, this plastic surgery involves making an incision in the top of the scalp above the ears, which is hidden by the hair. If hair loss is an issue, incisions can be made in other inconspicuous areas.

Through the incision, the surgeon will remove extra muscle and fat that causes brow droop and unwanted wrinkle and frown lines. Altering, removing and re-draping excess skin smoothes the forehead and elevates the brows. Though this procedure does not approach the eyes, the eye and upper eyelid areas appear more open and awake.

A newer endoscopic procedure involves making five incisions in the hair line and includes the same altering and redistribution as typical brow lift surgery, but does not include skin removal. The difference includes the anchoring of tissues and skin through permanent or dissolving mechanisms such as lasting tiny titanium anchors or dissolving sutures. This is considered a less invasive method, but because there is no skin removal in the endoscopic procedure, the traditional technique is usually preferred.

Cost
Because of the delicacy of the brow area and the consequences of poor technique, forehead lift surgery can be a costly procedure. The average cost for a brow lift in 2004 was $3500, however, as with any cosmetic surgery, fees do vary. Depending on the location, the additional cost of anesthesia and hospital time as well as the surgeon and the extent of the procedure, all surgical treatment fees are different.

Recovery
Recovery from brow lift surgery can differ between patients who receive classic brow lift surgery or opt for the endoscopic method; however, recovery time is generally similar. Soreness and numbness as well as pain surrounding the incision site is normal for classic brow lift patients, but this can be managed with regular pain medication. Endoscopic patients will typically have less itching, but may experience more bruising.

To minimize swelling, your surgeon will give you specific directions to elevate your head for two to three days post-surgery. You may also experience swelling in the eye and cheek area, but this should last no longer than one week. Bandages are removed two to five days after surgery, and stitches and clips may be removed as soon as a day or two after your procedure, and you should be able to shower with mild shampoo when bandages are removed. One week to ten days later, you will likely be able to resume normal activity such as work and physical exercise.

Risk
Brow or forehead lifts are generally viewed as simple cosmetic surgery, but are still invasive medical procedures. As such, brow lifts do carry the usual concerns of any surgical procedure. Specifically, risks include nerve damage to the sensitive nerves around the eyebrows. However, this can often be repaired with a second surgery. Some hair loss around the incision site can occur, but the hair does return. Discuss the risks with your accredited medical professional well before the surgery, and be sure to read our tips for a speedy recovery section.

Suggested Doctors

Sorry, there are no matching doctors in your area
Please choose a different location

,

,

See more Suggested Doctors