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Brow/Forehead Lift

Over time and with normal aging, the skin begins to lose its elasticity. This can become apparent when looking at the forehead area on some individuals. Sun damage, environmental effects and gravity can all affect the face, resulting in frown lines, wrinkling of the forehead and a heaviness or drooping appearance of the eyebrows. This can result in a person looking older than their years or project an expression of sadness, anger or fatigue that the individual is not feeling.

A forehead lift or a brow lift is a procedure that restores a more youthful appearance above the eyes. The muscles and tissues in this area are either removed or altered to smooth the forehead and help eliminate or decrease vertical frown lines between the eyebrows. In lifting the skin in these areas, horizontal lines are diminished and the eyebrows are lifted and an overall smoothed, rejuvenated appearance is achieved.

This surgery is done under a general anesthetic in our clinic. There are two types of procedures that can be done, one is the open brow lift, and the other is an endoscopic brow lift. An open brow lift tends to be done on a patient who may have a larger forehead or a receding hairline. One continual incision is made in the hairline, and the muscle and tissue are then released. The excess tissue is the removed or modified, and the incision is stitched back together. An endoscopic brow lift is done with the use of an endoscope. The endoscope has a camera attached to aid in the surgery. There are approximately 5 tiny incisions made in the scalp area, about ½-1 inch each. The slender scope is then inserted, and the tissue and muscle is released. Both techniques yield similar results, however the surgeon will determine which procedure would benefit the patient most.

Following the surgery, swelling and bruising are common and tend to last approximately 2 weeks following the procedure. This can extend into the cheek and eye area in some patients. Keeping the head elevated as well as using cold compresses is suggested to help reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort. As the incisions heal, numbness and/or itching can occur. This is normal and diminishes over time. The sutures are generally removed 6-10 days following the procedure and any dressings may be removed in approximately 1-3 days. The surgeon will advise you as to when you can resume normal activities, however strenuous exertion should be avoided for a longer period of time. Any residual bruising can be concealed using makeup.

The surgeon may recommend a brow lift in conjunction with another procedure, such as a blepharoplasty or eyelid lift, to achieve an optimum result to meet the individual needs and goals of each patient.