Is Brow Lift Invasive>” must be addressed. Surgical procedures, including face lifts and brow lifts, are never without danger. But, it’s hard to fathom why anyone would want a procedure if they aren’t considering how happy they’ll be with the outcome. Before making an appointment, it’s important to talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have.
These inconspicuous incisions are made during a surgical operation that takes place in a medical setting. The brow tissue is gradually released and lifted using fiberoptic technology.
Whiteheads, blackheads, the redness known as rosacea, and conspicuous pores… these are common skin problems that frustrate most adults. A fresh, rested appearance is important to everyone. However, many people initially resist the idea of cosmetic surgery when they hear words like “invasive” and “surgery.” Read on to learn more about hairline brow lift/brow lift recovery.
Is Brow Lift Invasive
The brow and forehead are often the first areas to show signs of aging. A brow lift (also called a forehead lift) raises the brows in order to remove the appearance of forehead wrinkles and ease frown lines, and may also improve the appearance of the upper eye.
The operation itself carefully removes excess fat and skin and tightens the muscles in the forehead area. It can also correct sagging brows or ease deep furrows between the eyes.
A brow lift can improve the appearance of people of any age who have furrows or frown lines such as those caused by stress or muscle activity over time, or as the result of inherited conditions, such as a low, heavy brow or furrowed lines above the nose. A brow lift can also help reduce excess skin of the upper eyelids.
Different Methods for Brow Lift
The plastic surgeon begins with a careful analysis of the person’s face, noting where volume has been lost and gravity has caused pulling or sagging. The forehead lift procedure replaces the lost volume and gently pulls specific areas to achieve a younger appearance.
There are a few options for brow lifts.
- Classic or coronal brow lift. Once the patient is under anesthesia, the surgeon makes a cut or incision that starts at about ear level and goes across the top of the forehead to the other ear. In some cases, the surgeon may place the incision at the hairline. The surgeon then carefully lifts the skin of the forehead, removes any excess tissue and fat, and realigns the muscles if necessary. The surgeon may place the eyebrows at a higher level. Excess skin is trimmed away.
- Endoscopic brow lift. This minimally invasive procedure is performed in the operating room and involves small incisions hidden within the hair. Fiberoptic equipment gently releases and elevates the tissue of the brows. For most patients, bruising is minimal and the healing time is generally faster than with a classic approach.
- Temporal Lift. This is a minimally invasive procedure that your facial cosmetic surgeon can perform under local anesthesia in the office. It is essentially a scaled-back version of the minimally invasive endoscopic brow lift and can produce excellent results with minimal downtime.
Is a brow lift for you?
The goal of a brow lift is to tighten excess loose skin, smooth forehead wrinkling and modify drooping brows. If necessary, the surgeon removes part of the muscle that causes vertical frown lines between the brows to create a smoother brow and a more relaxed expression. One primary goal, in most patients, is to rejuvenate the eyes, making them look more rested and youthful.
Important factors to discuss with the surgeon include:
- The most appropriate type of brow lift surgery for each individual
- Skin type
- Ethnic background
- Degree of skin elasticity
- Individual healing rate
- Age
- Realistic expectations for surgical outcomes
Hairline Brow Lift
A brow lift poses several risks, including:
- Scarring. Scarring might be visible after a brow lift.
- Changes in skin sensation. A brow lift can cause temporary or permanent numbness on the forehead or top of the scalp.
- Asymmetry in the position of the brows. A brow lift can result in uneven brows (asymmetry), with one or both eyebrows appearing too high. However, asymmetry may even out during the healing process. Persistent brow shape or position problems can be treated with injections such as Botox or through additional surgery.
- Hair problems. A brow lift can cause an elevated hairline or hair loss at the incision site. If hair loss doesn’t resolve on its own, it can be treated with a procedure to remove part of the scalp experiencing hair loss or using a hair graft.
Like any other type of major surgery, a brow lift poses a risk of bleeding, infection and a reaction to anesthesia.
How you prepare
Initially, you’ll talk to a facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon about a brow lift. During your first visit, your surgeon will likely:
- Review your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past medical conditions. Talk about any medications you’re taking or have taken recently, as well as any surgeries you’ve had. Tell your surgeon if you’re allergic to any medications.
- Do a physical exam. To determine your treatment options, your surgeon will examine and measure different parts of your face with your eyes open and closed. Photographs might be taken for your medical record.
- Discuss your expectations. Explain why you want a brow lift, and how you want to look after the procedure. Make sure you understand the benefits and risks.
Before a brow lift you might also need to:
- Stop smoking. Smoking decreases blood flow in the skin and can slow the healing process. If you smoke, stop smoking before surgery and during recovery.
- Avoid certain medications. You’ll likely need to avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding.
- Arrange for help during recovery. Make plans for someone to drive you home after you leave the hospital and stay with you for at least the first night of your recovery at home.
What you can expect
A brow lift is done in a hospital or an outpatient surgical center. During a brow lift, you’ll typically be comfortable with the aid of sedation anesthesia given through an IV in your arm. Or you may be given general anesthesia.
During the procedure
Brow lift techniques vary depending on your desired results. The specific technique your surgeon chooses will determine the location of the incisions and the resulting scars.
Your surgeon might use one of the following techniques:
- Endoscopic brow lift. In this procedure, several small incisions are made behind the hairline. A long thin tube with a light and a tiny camera mounted on its end is inserted through one of the incisions to view the underlying muscles and tissues.Using an instrument inserted through another incision, the surgeon lifts the forehead tissues and anchors them in place with sutures, small screws or another technique. The incisions are then closed with stitches or small clips.
- Temporal brow lift. This procedure is done through small incisions just behind the hairline near the temples.
- Direct brow lift. This procedure is done by removing the skin above the eyebrows. A direct brow lift is typically done in people with bushy eyebrows. It’s also a shorter surgery and can be done with local anesthesia, which numbs only part of the body.
- Coronal brow lift. This procedure involves making an incision behind the hairline across the top of the head, from ear to ear or primarily on the top of the head. Then the forehead is lifted into its new position, with the scalp in front of the incision overlapping the scalp behind it.The overlapping scalp is then removed, and the remaining scalp is sewn together. This technique is not typically done in people who have high hairlines, thin hair or who are likely to lose their hair.
- Hairline brow lift. For this procedure, an incision is made between the top of the forehead and the beginning of the hairline. A small amount of skin and tissue is removed from the top of the forehead, rather than your scalp. This can correct a high hairline.A hairline brow lift is often used if someone has a high, receding hairline. However, a scar might be visible along the hairline, depending on the placement of the incisions, scar healing and hairstyle.
Brow lift surgery typically takes about 1 to 2 hours.
After the procedure
After a brow lift, your forehead might be loosely wrapped to minimize swelling. A small tube might be placed along the incision site to drain any excess blood or fluid.
Your health care provider will give you specific instructions on how to care for your incisions. In the first few days after a brow lift:
- Rest with your head elevated and take pain medication as recommended by your provider
- Apply cold compresses to relieve swelling
- Avoid exposing your incisions to excessive pressure or motion
As your incisions heal, you might experience itching and numbness, which will likely lessen over time. If your incisions are covered in bandages, they’ll likely be removed in 1 to 3 days. Sutures typically will be removed within 7 to 10 days of surgery.
Ask your health care provider when it’s OK to resume daily activities, such as washing and drying your hair and bathing. Keep in mind that the swelling might last several weeks.
Incision lines will fade over time. You might use makeup to conceal any prolonged bruising.
After a brow lift, contact your doctor immediately if you have:
- Sudden swelling
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Irregular heartbeats.
All surgery involves risks. For any elective facial plastic surgery procedure, it is important to discuss potential complications with your surgeon and weigh the potential risks and benefits so you can make a good decision for your health and your goals.
Before Your Procedure
- During the preliminary consultation, the surgeon will take a thorough medical history as well as assess the person’s mental and emotional attitudes toward the surgery. This is an important step, since the patient’s positive attitude and realistic expectations are crucial to the success of the surgery.
- The cosmetic surgeon will examine the structure of the person’s neck and face, skin texture, color and elasticity.
- The surgeon or a staff member will take photographs so the surgeon can study the person’s face and forehead.
- The surgeon will review individual risks, especially those related to high blood pressure, a tendency to scar, smoking and any deficiency in blood clotting.
- If the person decides to proceed with a brow lift, the surgeon will make recommendations relating to:
- The optimal technique
- Type of anesthesia
- The surgical facility
- Any additional procedures that might be performed in conjunction with the forehead lift
- Avoiding complications
About the Procedure
The procedure may take place in one of several different settings:
- Surgeon’s office-based surgical facility
- Outpatient surgery center
- Hospital outpatient
- Hospital inpatient
Anesthesia options may include:
- General anesthesia
- Local anesthesia, combined with intravenous (IV) sedation that allows the person to stay awake but relaxed
Possible short-term side effects of surgery include:
- Numbness and temporary discomfort around the incisions
- Swelling and bruising that may affect the cheeks and eyes
- Numbness on the top of the scalp, which, over time, may be replaced by itching
Brow Lift Recovery
Fortunately, the majority of patients who have a brow lift experience very little postoperative pain. The recovery timeframe is 10 to 14 days, but patients can expect comfort to improve significantly within the first week. Patients are advised to set aside the first two days after their brow lift to simply rest and sleep as much as needed. The procedure may be performed with general anesthesia or a local anesthetic and sedation. If general anesthesia is involved, nausea may occur during the early postop phase. The surgical team may be able to recommend an antinausea medication to ease this side effect. A light dressing is placed over the brow area after surgery. Sometimes, the surgeon will place a drain tube to prevent the buildup of excess fluid beneath the skin. These are usually removed in a day or two. Pain is usually minimal after the effects of anesthesia wear off. Patients can take an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen to manage their comfort.
After brow lift surgery, patients should sleep with the head elevated on two or more pillows. It may be helpful to sleep in a recliner with soft pillows on each side and a neck pillow for support. Elevation helps fluid drain more efficiently away from the surgical site, so can keep swelling and bruising to a minimum. It is possible to shower and wash hair beginning two to three days after surgery. Knowing this, patients should bathe and wash their hair the day before surgery. Strenuous activity must be avoided for a few weeks. The doctor can discuss when normal activities can resume during the post-op visit. This usually occurs about one week after surgery. For the most part, patients generally return to work after two weeks and gradually ease into exercise and other activities three to four weeks post-op.
Some degree of residual swelling and bruising may remain after two weeks. This is typically mild enough to cover with makeup. The final outcome of the brow lift continues to settle in for two to three months. However, patients enjoy beautiful results well before that time.