Brow lift, sometimes referred to as forehead lift or brow rejuvenation, is a cosmetic procedure that lifts the brows by elevating the soft tissues as well as the skin around the brows and forehead. Additionally, this procedure enhances the overall appearance of the forehead, brows, and the periocular region.
If you have low, drooping, or asymmetrical brows, you may benefit from a brow lift. Brow lift can also help you feel more confident. Usually, the procedure can be performed on its own or in combination with other facial approaches, including blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) or facelift.
Reasons for Brow Lift
Brows tend to shift downward with age. Additionally, the distance between the brows and lashes shortens as the soft tissues and skin lose elasticity. Such a low position of the brows can give you a tired, melancholic, or angry look. Therefore, a brow lift procedure can help lift the brows, giving them a more youthful and attractive appearance.
If your brows are low or drooping and contribute to the sagging of the upper eyelids, you may opt for a brow lift. You may be a suitable candidate for surgical brow lift if:
• You are a non-smoker.
• You are physically healthy.
• You have realistic goals and an optimistic outlook.
How to Prepare for a Brow Lift
After deciding to undergo a brow lift, you will first discuss the procedure with your facial, plastic, or cosmetic surgeon. During your initial consultation, the surgeon will likely ask about your medical history. Be prepared for a detailed inquiry about your current and past medical issues. Inform them of any medications you are taking, including any surgical procedures you have had. Also, indicate if you have any allergies to medications.
Physical Examination: The surgeon will inspect and measure various areas of your face while your eyes are open and closed. This helps to assess treatment alternatives. The surgeon may also take several photographs for medical purposes.
Discuss Your Expectations: Talk about the reasons you need a brow lift and what you hope to achieve aesthetically. Make sure you are aware of all the advantages and risks associated with the procedure.
Additionally, you may need to do the following before getting a brow lift:
• Quit Smoking: Smoking typically reduces blood flow to the skin and can slow down the recovery process. If you are a smoker, the doctor will advise you to quit before the procedure and during the recovery period.
• Avoid Certain Medications: You will likely need to avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and other herbal supplements as they can cause excessive bleeding.
• Arrange for Assistance During Recovery: Arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital and even stay with you on the first night after the surgery.
Brow Lift Procedure
The surgeon can perform a brow lift either in a medical facility or an outpatient surgery center. You will receive general anesthesia to be unconscious and feel more comfortable while undergoing the brow lift.
Depending on what you intend to achieve, different techniques are used for lifting your brows. The approach your surgeon uses determines the nature and position of the incisions, as well as the associated scars.
The surgeon may recommend one of the following surgical methods:
Endoscopic Brow Lift
The endoscopic brow lift involves making several small incisions at the back of the hairline. Then, the surgeon will insert an endoscope, a long, small illuminated tube attached to a tiny camera at one end, through one of the incisions. This helps to visualize the underlying tissues and muscles.
The surgeon will lift the tissues of the forehead with an instrument inserted through one of the incisions. He or she will then secure them in place using sutures, small screws, or another procedure. Small clips or sutures are used to close the incisions.
Coronal Brow Lift
During this procedure, the surgeon will make an incision at the back of the hairline, running from ear to ear across the top of the head. He or she will then move the forehead so that the scalp in the front of the incision overlaps the scalp from behind.
The remaining scalp is sutured after removing the overlapping scalp. People with a high hairline, thinning hair, or those at risk of hair loss should avoid this procedure.
Direct Brow Lift
This method involves making a small incision between the upper part of the forehead and the edge of the hairline. Instead of the scalp, the surgeon will remove a small amount of tissue and skin from the upper part of the forehead. Your hairline will not be pulled back because of this.
If you have a higher hairline, you may benefit from a brow lift. However, brow lift scars may appear along the hairline depending on how well the wound heals.
What happens after a brow lift procedure?
Depending on the type of brow lift you undergo, your expectations, and the nature of the procedure, the recovery time will vary. The entire surgical operation usually takes about one to two hours.
Regardless of the type of procedure, you will receive clips or stitches that will need to be removed after one week. The temporary securing screws the surgeon placed will be removed after about two weeks. To maintain the lifted brow in place, these fittings are placed below the hairline.
Swelling and bruising may occur in areas of the face that were not operated on, such as the eyes and cheeks. Swelling should subside after about a week. You should keep your head elevated for two days after the surgery to reduce swelling. Additionally, you can apply ice packs to the affected area.
You may also experience numbness. However, this will resolve over time. During the recovery period, refrain from strenuous activities, lifting heavy objects, and exercise for several weeks after the brow lift procedure.
Results of Brow Lift
The results of a brow lift surgery can be seen immediately. Swelling from the surgery will decrease over time, and the incision lines will fade. As you recover from the surgery, your satisfaction with the new appearance should improve. Over the next few weeks or months, the final results of your procedure will become visible.
Lifetime sun protection will help you maintain your youthful appearance by reducing sun damage. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help you get the most out of your brow lift surgery.
Risks of Brow Lift
Scarring: Scars may be noticeable after a brow lift.
Asymmetrical Brow Position: Asymmetry can develop from a brow lift, with one or both eyebrows appearing too high. However, asymmetry may even out during the recovery process. Additionally, the surgery may help resolve permanent issues with the shape or position of the eyebrows.
Changes in Skin Sensation: Brow lifting may lead to numbness in the forehead or upper scalp, which may be temporary or permanent.
Hair Issues: Hairline elevation or hair loss around the incision area may result from a brow lift. Hair transplantation or excision of the scar may be used to address hair loss that does not resolve over time.
As with any major surgical procedure, brow lifting carries the risk of infection, bleeding, and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
Botox Brow Lift
Botox brow lift is a surgical procedure that reduces the appearance of wrinkles between the eyebrows. Cosmetic Botox or injections of botulinum toxin type A also elevate the height of the eyebrows. They relax the underlying muscles and the muscles between the eyebrows to smooth the skin from the outside. This causes the forehead muscles to pull on the relaxed eyebrow muscles, lifting the eyebrows and opening your eyes.
Additional Botox injections can also help relax the muscles at the ends of the eyebrows. The forehead muscles can now pull here as well. The amount of elevation you get depends on your age and the muscle tone that remains active, pulling on the relaxed muscles.
This technique is suitable for smoothing deep wrinkles between the eyebrows without surgical intervention for intractable frown lines.
Conclusion
The brow lift surgery aims to correct sagging skin on the forehead between the eyebrows and the upper eyelids. The procedure can also make the eyebrows appear higher. In other cases, the plastic surgeon may combine brow lifting with other treatments such as blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery).
Remember that the results of brow lifting and the recovery period vary depending on your age, goals, and the type of procedure. Good skincare measures can help you maintain a youthful appearance for longer. Consult with your doctor about all options for brow lifting.
