Brow/forehead lift

A brow lift is also known as a forehead lift. A brow lift is a surgical procedure that repositions, alters or removes tissue and muscle beneath the skin in the forehead. It minimizes the creases that develop across the forehead or those that occur high on the bridge of the nose. It improves what are commonly referred to as frown lines, and repositions a low or sagging brow.

A brow lift is a good option if you are physically healthy, do not smoke and have a positive outlook and specific but realistic goals for the improvement of your appearance.

Reasons for procedureback to top

A brow lift:

• Minimizes the creases that develop across the forehead or those that occur high on the bridge of the nose
• Improves what are commonly referred to as frown lines or vertical creases that develop between the eyebrows, as well as excess forehead wrinkles
• Repositions a low or sagging brow
• Raises the eyebrows to a more alert and youthful position
• Corrects eyebrow asymmetry and improves eyebrow position
• Eliminates excessive, sagging or wrinkled upper eyelid skin that may cause vision problems
• Lessens puffy pouches of fat in the upper eyelids that create a tired or aged appearance
• Corrects a high hairline or high forehead

What to expectback to top

Prior to the procedure. A consultation with your doctor is held to discuss why you want the surgery, your expectations and medical conditions. In addition, your doctor may review your health history, discuss options, take measurements and photos, and review outcomes.

Anesthesia. Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia or conscious sedation. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

Description of the procedure. A brow lift is a surgical procedure. Correction of a low-positioned or sagging brow may be made with or without the use of an endoscope (a less-invasive approach) through incisions at the temples and in the scalp. This technique may be done in conjunction with incisions hidden within the natural crease of the upper eyelids to eliminate frown lines between the brows and on or above the bridge of the nose.

An alternative brow lift technique is the coronal brow lift. The coronal brow lift can pinpoint specific regions of the brow to correct. This technique involves an incision from ear to ear, lifting the forehead and removing excess skin from the scalp. Recovery time is often longer than the endoscopic brow lift due to the size of the incision.

The incision lines from a brow lift are well concealed within the hair or natural contours of the face unless they are placed at the hairline to shorten the forehead. Brow lift incisions typically are closed with removable or absorbable sutures, skin adhesives, surgical tape or special clips.

After the procedure. When your procedure is completed, your forehead may be taped and your head may be loosely wrapped to minimize swelling and bruising. A thin tube may be present to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect under the skin.

How long will it take? One to three hours.

Will it hurt? As with any surgical procedure, you will likely experience some discomfort, swelling and bruising in the upper portion of your face and around your eyes, which can be alleviated with cold compresses and pain medication.

Postprocedure care. You will be given specific instructions that include how to care for the surgical site, what medications to apply or take to aid healing, ways to reduce infection, specific concerns to look for and when to follow up with your surgeon.

Initial wound healing may take five to ten days, at which time any sutures or clips will be removed. You will be ready to return to work and normal activity at this time. Makeup can help hide any bruising.

Healing continues for several weeks as the swelling dissipates and incision lines fade. It may take several months for your complete recovery. Results appear gradually and reveal smoother forehead skin and a more youthful appearance.

Call your doctorback to top

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occur:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding or any discharge from the incision site
• Nausea and/or vomiting that you can’t control with medications or that continue for more than two days after going home
• Pain that you can’t control with medications
• Cough, shortness of breath or chest pain

In case of an emergency, call 911.

Possible complications. Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely risk free. If you are planning to have a brow lift, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Unfavorable scarring
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Poor wound healing
• Anesthesia risks
• Blood clots
• Correctable hair loss at the incisions
• Elevated hairline
• Facial nerve injury with weakness or paralysis
• Facial asymmetry
• Skin loss
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation or intense itching
• Changes in skin sensation
• Eye irritation or dryness
• Fluid accumulation
• Pain
• Skin contour irregularities
• Skin discoloration and swelling
• Sutures that spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation that require removal
• Possibility of additional surgery

Certain eyelid disorders occur with a sagging eyebrow and forehead. Brow lift surgery will not correct these disorders. Additional surgery may be required.

Resourcesback to top

American Society of Plastic Surgeons
http://www.plasticsurgery.org/

American Board of Plastic Surgery
http://www.abplsurg.org/

American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
http://www.surgery.org/

VISIT the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) site for more information on brow lift. more >>