A brow lift, also called as forehead lift or eyebrow lift, helps reverse the signs of aging including deep creases and wrinkles on the forehead, by “lifting” the brows to achieve a younger-looking appearance. Other facial problems such as having a low brow can also be treated by a brow lift. Cosmetically, it corrects the sagging of the eyebrows, the forehead, and the upper eyelids.
Dr. Randall Barnett of the Alpine Plastic Surgery Clinic in Salt Lake City, UT will work through your tissues to remove some parts of the skin and muscles that contribute to wrinkling of the face. Other procedures, such as a facelift or nose surgery, may also be done in conjunction with a brow lift.
A brow lift can smoothen the forehead from any wrinkles and modify the drooping of the brows. In order to know if you are a candidate for brow lift, it is best to consult a plastic surgeon. Important matters have to be discussed during the consultation, including:
It is best to consult a reliable doctor and cosmetic clinic like Dr. Barnett at the Alpine Plastic Surgery Clinic. Before the consultation, prepare your medical history such as previous facial surgeries in order to give your surgeon an idea on how to go about the procedure. During the consultation, tell your doctor about your goals as well as your current health condition. Moreover, you should be able to tell your doctor exactly how you want your forehead to look like after the procedure.
Then, your surgeon will evaluate your face by assessing the forehead region, including the upper eyelids and muscles.
Your surgeon will give you a set of pre-operative instructions that you have to follow. It may involve changes in lifestyle such as not smoking and drinking alcohol temporarily. If you regularly take anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, your surgeon may ask you to stop taking the drug for a certain period of time before the procedure is done. Risk for bleeding increases when these drugs are taken and should therefore be avoided.
Brow lift surgery is usually done at the plastic surgeon’s clinic. Typically, the procedure is completed within two hours, so an overnight stay is not necessary. However, you will be advised to have someone drive you home after surgery and accompany you during the first two nights.
During a brow lift, you will be under general anesthesia, but you can also request to be under general anesthesia if you want to feel more comfortable. When the surgery ends, your incisions are closed using either stitches or staples. Your wounds are then cleansed and covered with a sterile bandage.
Recovery is different for each patient and largely depends on the technique chosen. Generally, the stitches or staples from the procedure can be removed within a week for both techniques. In the case of temporary fixation screws, they may be removed in two weeks.
The patient can expect some swelling and bruising, which may extend up to the cheeks and eyes. These symptoms usually disappear after about a week. To counter the symptoms, keep the head elevated for at least two days or gently apply cold compress to the treatment area.
In the case of brow lift surgeries, recovery may take up to 2 to 3 weeks with most patients returning to work after 2 weeks. At this time, scarring may not be apparent yet. When scars mature, they can be easily disguised under the natural creases of the skin or the hair.
It is important to monitor the healing process carefully. Call the doctor immediately if any of the following symptoms occur:
