Most candidates for a forehead lift, also known as a brow lift, are between the ages of 40 and 70, and are healthy people looking to reduce or eliminate unwanted furrows and deep forehead lines. Younger people suffering from premature aging signs such as drooping eyebrows or forehead wrinkles may also be good candidates. Forehead lifts may be used with hair transplants to treat a receding hairline or baldness. They may also be used with fat transfers to and volume, or as part of an overall face lift for a more comprehensive effect.

The Forehead Lift Procedure

A forehead lift is performed in an outpatient clinic or hospital. Discuss the anesthesia with your doctor and the anesthesiologist. A forehead lift typically calls for only local anesthesia but general anesthesia sometimes is a better option. The procedure takes an hour or two, and you will be able to return home that same day.

A forehead lift may be performed through a conventional-incision method, or the surgeon you choose may use an endoscope tool that requires a smaller incision. The endoscopic method has the advantages of a smaller incision, no general anesthesia, reduced bruising, quicker recovery time, and less scarring.

Recovery from a Forehead Lift

Recovery from a forehead lift is very straightforward, and necessary post-surgical precautions are minimal. You may experience some temporary discomfort and numbness, which you can manage with medication. You may have a headache, as a side effect from the anesthesia. There may also be some swelling. That will typically go away in about a week. You may experience itching or lack of sensation at the incision line. This typically goes away within six months.

The Cost of the Forehead Lift

Cost depends on the extent of the procedure. The forehead lift may be performed with other procedures and thereby certain costs can be combined, and that can reduce your overall cost. For example, if you're having a forehead lift with a facelift, you pay only one anesthesia fee and one facility fee. The total cost would be from $5,000 to $7,000.

Risks of the Forehead Lift

Complications are rare for the forehead lift, but there are risks associated with any medical procedure. Some patients may not be able to move their eyebrows or forehead, although further surgery may correct this problem. Scars may form, and you may lose hair within the scar area. The incision line may go permanently numb, although that complication is rare. Endoscopic patients typically experience fewer complications than one would through the traditional method.

To find out if a forehead lift is the right fit for you, consult with a Plastic Surgeon near you.