Brow Lift

A forehead lift is a good option if you have sagging brows, deep furrows between the eyes and /or etched lines across the forehead. The procedure tightens loose brow skin, or removes excess skin in some cases; additionally, forehead wrinkling can be smoothed out.

The eyebrows are pulled up into a slightly higher position, creating a more pleasing arch and opening up the eyelid area. The muscles that cause deep vertical frown lines to form between the brows may also be removed, which can take you from looking cross all the time to appearing relaxed and content. A brow lift may be done on its own or combined with upper and lower eyelid surgery and/ or a facelift as well.

What is involved in a Brow Lift?

There are two basic techniques used: the traditional coronal brow lift, which uses a general or twilight anaesthetic, and variations on an endoscopic brow lift. In a coronal brow lift, the incision is made slightly behind the natural hairline, running from ear to ear across the top of the head.

If your hairline is high or receding, the incisions are made on the scalp behind the hairline. An endoscope, a small wand with a camera on the end connected to a monitor, is inserted to allow the surgeon a clear view. The forehead skin is lifted and the muscles and underlying tissues are released. The eyebrows may also be lifted and secured into a higher position beneath the surface of the skin.

The endoscopic brow lift offers the advantages of smaller scars, shorter recovery time and less incidence of altering your hairline. If your eyebrows don’t need lifting, but you have a deep crease between your brows (‘frown’ lines), you may just have your forehead muscles cut back, which can be done through a small incision in your upper eyelid crease.

What are the Risks?

The nerves that control brow movement may be injured on one or both sides, which may result in an inability to raise the eyebrows or wrinkle the forehead. This is usually a temporary condition, but may be long term or permanent in rare cases. Another potential complication with the traditional brow lift is the formation of a widened scar, which may require another surgical procedure to create a new, thinner scar. The loss of sensation along or just beyond the incision line is common, especially with the traditional brow lift. Numbness is usually temporary and will resolve in three to four months. Some of the hair around the incision may thin out, but normal growth usually resumes within a few months.

Post-Op Effects and Recovery Time

You will be instructed to keep your head elevated and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. Stitches or staples are removed within a week. You will be able to shower and shampoo your hair within a couple of days or when the bandage is removed. There may be numbness and temporary pulling around the incision.

If you are prone to headaches you may be treated with an additional longer acting anaesthetic during surgery as a preventative measure. Swelling and bruising may also affect the cheeks and eyes but should begin to disappear in a week or so. As the nerves heal the scalp may begin to itch which may continue for up to six months.

Plan on resting for at least the first week after surgery. Rigorous physical activity including jogging, bending, heavy lifting should be limited for several weeks.

Before and After images

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