Browlift

Browlift

Being mistaken as angry or sad can be upsetting, especially if you are someone who is generally upbeat and energetic. Unfortunately the face can speak for us before our words, and it may be saying something entirely different than you want it to.

A forehead lift, also commonly referred to as a browlift, is one way to say goodbye to the tired, grumpy look and hello to a more alert and youthful appearance that will have people thinking you’ve finally taken a much needed vacation.

The goal of a forehead lift is to soften creases caused by expression, such as frown lines, and to raise sagging skin and muscle of the brow back to a more pleasing position.

This can also improve hooding of the upper eyelid, making it easier to see. In many cases, a forehead lift is performed in conjunction with other procedures such as eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) or a facelift to improve the overall appearance of the face.

A browlift is performed using the endoscopic method which less invasive than the traditional coronal method. With both techniques, the skin and muscles above the eyes are elevated and the brow is advanced to a more youthful position . Patients undergoing a browlift are given intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. The procedure typically lasts between two and three hours.

When an endoscope is used, small incisions are made within the hairline through which instruments are used to reposition the brow. Typically three to five short incisions are made in the scalp and at the temples. The endoscope is placed though one and the others are used to access and manipulate the brow. In a traditional coronal browlift, an incision is made within the hairline, from one ear to the other. This method allows greater access to pinpoint specific areas of the brow that need correcting and is reserved for individuals with more severe brow ptosis. Recovery time may be longer with a coronal lift than with the endoscopic technique due to the more invasive nature of the procedure.

If the forehead is long, meaning a more obvious distance from the eyebrow to the hairline, a hairline lowering procedure can be done where the incision is placed immediately at the hairline to remove the excess skin between the hairline and the brow.

A drainage tube may be placed to withdraw excess fluid that can occur. It is usually removed after one to two days. Bruising and swelling should be expected, but will generally recede by the seventh to tenth day. Cold compresses can help to control the swelling. A smoother more youthful appearance to the brow is apparent immediately after surgery. Any sutures used will be removed between a week and ten days.