FOREHEAD AND BROW LIFT

While the facelift operation can dramatically reverse the effects of aging on the central and lower part of the face, it doesn't address the problems that can develop in the upper part of the face - the forehead and brow. Aging, with wrinkling and loss of skin tone, can affect the forehead area as it does the eyelids and the rest of the face. As you age, the eyebrows will sag. When the eyebrows sag, you can look sad or tired in appearance despite the way you might actually feel. It can also exaggerate the amount of excess baggy skin on the upper eyelids. An aging forehead can also result in deep wrinkles or frown lines, often creating an angry or unhappy look to the entire face. The forehead and brow lift is designed to correct or improve these common problems. The forehead and brow lift is often combined with other procedures to rejuvenate or improve the appearance of the eyes, face, chin, cheekbones, etc.

What to expect:

The forehead and brow lift procedure can be done under local anesthesia with sedation (patient awake) or under general anesthesia (patient asleep). Surgery is done as an out-patient procedure, meaning you come in and go home the same day. Incisions are generally placed behind the hairline, or just at the hairline if you have a very high forehead. Improvements are made to the muscles of the forehead and brow area to reduce deep creases, then the skin and muscles are tightened to raise the eyebrows, and give a fresher, more youthful appearance. Many patients today may be candidates for an endoscopic brow lift. Instead of making a large incision across the top of the head, several small incisions are made within the hairline and an endoscope camera and special instruments are used to perform the muscle work. The brow is then elevated and suspended with special anchoring sutures to hold the brow and forehead in the ideal position. With this approach, scarring, hair loss, and other minor problems associated with the standard approach can be avoided. Following the procedure, it is normal to have some swelling and discoloration. This should resolve within 10 - 14 days. By placing the incisions in the hair bearing scalp, healing occurs with virtually undetectable scars. Any sutures or clips are removed within 10 - 14 days.

Complications:

Complications are rare after a forehead and brow lift but possible as with any operation. The potential problems include bleeding, infection, scarring, asymmetry, temporary numbness, changes in the hairline, minor hair lossalong the incision, and, rarely, nerve injury. Ask your plastic surgeon if you are a candidate for the brow lift operation, and see what changes are possible with this versatile and remarkable operation.