Everything you Need to Know About a Brow Lift

Naturally, as we get older, gravity and age can cause our skin and soft tissue of the eyebrows and forehead to droop and sag. This results in making you appear more angry or tired than you actually feel. A brow lift can help address these concerns by elevating the forehead and brow line which in turn will smooth creases and wrinkles that naturally develop around the eyes as we age.  A brow lift opens the eyes and recreates a more youthful appearance of the forehead, eyebrows, and eyes.

The overall result? Younger looking skin that gives you a confidence boost!

Am I the right candidate for a brow lift?

A board certified plastic surgeon, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, will determine whether you are a suitable candidate for a brow lift or not. Suitable candidates typically are in good health and have a specific goal in mind when it comes to the surgery. This could include heavy or low eyebrows and the appearance of looking tired around the eyes all day long despite adequate rest.  

A plastic surgeon will examine you and discuss your reasons for surgery as well as your expected outcome. In many cases, brow lift surgery is performed alongside eye lift surgery.

How do I prepare for a brow lift?

Preparation will come in the form of a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. This will give you the opportunity to discuss any concerns or raise any questions you may have. If you have a history of smoking, you will need to stop before surgery.

In some cases, you may be required to stop taking certain medications that could interfere with the healing process. This could include vitamins or herbal supplements, so it is important to let your plastic surgeon know what medications you are taking.

What does the procedure entail?

A brow lift is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia for comfort.  There are a number of techniques used to perform a brow lift. Plastic surgeons can elevate the brow with an endoscopic technique where small incisions are made in the scalp and a small camera and small instruments are used to lift the brow.  There are other various open techniques where larger incisions are made in the hairline or in forehead creases.

For the endoscopic technique, the surgical incisions are made around the temples and within the hairline. The plastic surgeon will then release the brow from underneath the skin and reposition the muscle and skin to elevate the brow into a more aesthetically pleasing position. At the same time, a procedure will be performed that smooths out any “frown” lines or wrinkles that appear between the eyebrows. The open technique is similar but larger incisions have to be made to reposition the eyebrows.  After the necessary steps of the procedure have been performed, the incisions are closed, and then surgical dressings are applied to the forehead and face.

What does recovery entail?

In general, your forehead and eye area will feel tender and swollen after surgery. You will need to arrange for a friend or family member to escort you home and help look after you for the first 24 hours.

During recovery, it is important you avoid lifting, bending or engage in any activities considered rigorous. Full recovery can take a few weeks, and you will meet with a surgeon for several follow-up appointments to ensure your surgical sites are healing correctly.

What are the risks of a brow lift?

A brow lift is generally a safe procedure when it is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. However, as with all surgery, risks do exist. Potential risks associated with a brow lift include:

        – Bleeding

        – Anesthesia-related complications

        – Skin contour irregularities

        – Infection

       – Facial nerve injury leading to paralysis or weakness

       – Skin loss

       – Eye dryness or irritation

       – The need for revision surgery

If you are interested in brow lift surgery, then get in touch with our practice to arrange a consultation a board certified plastic surgeon today.