Brow Lift

A brow lift is a cosmetic procedure performed to raise the eyebrows. It is also known as a forehead lift or forehead rejuvenation. A brow lift improves the appearance of the forehead, eyebrows and the area around the eyes. The procedure involves lifting the soft tissue and skin of the forehead and brow. Raising the eyebrows can give you a refreshed appearance. It will also help boost your self-confidence.

Aging typically causes the eyebrows to move downward. Once stretched, the skin and soft tissues lose their ability to return to their original position. This shortens the distance between the eyebrows and the eyelashes. Low-set eyebrows can make you look tired, angry or sad.

A brow lift can be performed alone or together with other facial procedures, such as eyelid surgery or a facelift.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Brow Lift?

You may consider a brow lift if you have a low or sagging brow that causes your upper eyelids to droop and gives you a grumpy, tired or sad appearance, if you have heavy or drooping eyelids, or if you have uneven eyebrows. Furthermore, you may also be considered a good candidate for this procedure if there has been a marked increase in deep horizontal wrinkles and deep lines on your forehead, if you have a frowning appearance between your eyebrows or above your nose, or if excess skin or fat tissue has developed above your eyes.

How Is a Brow Lift Performed?

• Before the Procedure

First, you should consult a physician who specializes in brow lifts. Your current condition and medical history will be evaluated. You should provide information about medications you are taking or have recently taken and about any surgeries you have had. You should report any allergies to medications. Photographs may be taken for your medical record. Do not hesitate to state your expectations openly. Explain why you want brow lift surgery and how you hope to look after the procedure. You should make sure you understand the benefits and risks.

Before the procedure, you should stop smoking because of its negative effects on healing. You should avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements that may increase bleeding. The procedure is performed in a hygienic clinical setting on an outpatient basis.

• The Procedure

Brow lift techniques vary depending on the result you want. The physician may choose surgical techniques such as an endoscopic brow lift, temporal brow lift, direct brow lift, coronal brow lift or biplane brow lift, or, depending on the patient's condition, may choose non-surgical brow lift methods such as a brow lift with Botox, a brow lift with fillers or a thread brow lift.

Brow lift surgery typically takes about 1 to 2 hours. After a successful operation performed by an experienced plastic surgeon, the effect of the procedure can be expected to last for many years. However, it is worth remembering that the aging process will naturally continue and that, over time, the forehead tissues will continue to be affected by an unstoppable aging process due to gravity.

• After the procedure

After a brow lift, your forehead may be loosely wrapped to minimize swelling. A small drain may be placed along the incision to drain excess blood or fluid. The recommendations given must be followed carefully. During the first few days after a brow lift:

• Rest with your head elevated and take pain medication as recommended.
• Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling.
• Avoid exposing the incision site to excessive pressure or movement.
• As the incision heals, you may experience itching and numbness, which will likely decrease over time.
• If the incision site is covered with bandages, they will be removed in about 1 to 3 days. Stitches are typically removed 7 to 10 days after surgery.
• Ask your physician when it is appropriate to resume daily activities such as washing and drying your hair and bathing.
• Keep in mind that swelling may last for several weeks.
• The incision lines will fade over time.
• If symptoms such as sudden swelling, shortness of breath, chest pain or irregular heartbeat occur after a brow lift, notify your physician without delay and be sure to go to a healthcare facility.