Brow and Forehead Lift
The brow and forehead lift is a surgery that elevates aging brows and forehead and improves droopy eyelids. Some brow lift techniques also improve forehead and brow wrinkles. While almost every adult over 50 is a candidate for upper eyelid surgery, they may or may not be a candidate for brow and forehead lift.
Introduction
The difference between upper eyelid surgery and brow lift surgery are numerous. With upper eyelid surgery, the upper lids are improved but the brow position is unchanged. The brow lift, however, improves the baggy upper eyelid skin and also elevates the brows to a more youthful position.
Not every patient is a candidate for brow lift as some patients do not look natural with elevated brows. One good way to “preview” the results of a brow and forehead lift is to lie flat on your back, elevate your chin and hold a mirror directly over your face. In most cases this approximates the position of elevated brows.
One common problem is that some patients are not offered the option of brow lift by some surgeons. Before any upper eyelid procedure, a brow lift should be discussed. If too much skin is removed from the upper lids, a future brow lift may be impossible as there will not be enough skin to close the eyes.
Who is a Candidate for a browlift / forehead lift?
- Patients with low eyebrow position that desire elevation
- Patients with eyebrow asymmetry
- Patients with excess or droopy upper eyelids
- Patients with forehead or brow wrinkles
Who is not a Candidate for browlift / forehead lift?
- Patients who look surprised or unnatural with elevated brows
- Patients who have had multiple upper lid surgeries and do not have sufficient skin to close the lids
- Patients with unstable hairlines (although some techniques use hidden scars)
BROW AND FOREHEAD LIFT procedure
- More youthful eyebrow position
- Reduced appearance of brow and forehead wrinkles
- Improvement of baggy and droopy upper eyelids
- The procedure is generally performed with IV or general anesthesia but can also sometimes be performed with local anesthesia.
- The most common techniques use incisions hidden in the hairline. Some surgeons use endoscopic techniques while other surgeons employ open surgical methods. Much of this depends on factors such as patients with high hairlines or hair loss.
- Patients with brow asymmetries may experience a correction but in some cases the asymmetry may be due to factors such as skull size or soft tissue differences and are harder to correct.
- The procedure may be combined with upper and/or lower eyelid surgery, facelift or other cosmetic procedures.
- Surgeons may use sutures that require removal, dissolvable sutures or staples. Suture removal, if required, is usually done at about 10 days.
- Swelling, discomfort, bruising, temporary numbness can occur.
- Most patients take 1-2 weeks off of work.
Notes
The specific risks and suitability of this procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation with your cosmetic surgeon. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual.
Reviewed by Joseph Niamtu III, DMD, of Niamtu Cosmetic Facial Surgery.