Two types of brow lifts may be performed — conventional-incision method and the endoscopic method. With the conventional-incision method, one incision is made, which reaches from one ear to the other ear across the forehead. Before the procedure is done, the hair is tied back and may even be cut near the spot where the incision will be made.
After the incision is made, the forehead is lifted and the excess skin is taken out and the muscles are either relocated or removed completely. Additional skin may be cut and the area will be stitched after the eyebrows are raised. The area is bandaged and the bandages are kept on for approximately two days. The stitches are usually removed within two weeks.
After the procedure the patient may have or feel:
- Discomfort which is temporary and can be relived with medication
- Bruising
- Headache
- Numbing and/or tingling
- Swelling
- Hair Loss
A dermatologist can also perform endoscopic brow lifts if you want a younger look in the face. The brow lift is used to reverse signs of aging in the forehead as well as the brow area. Lines between the nose and eyebrows can also be decreased during this procedure.
The procedure requires a surgical scope to make openings near the temples of the head. These slits are made near or in the hairline or in the fold of the upper eyelids. The muscles which cause the sagging of the eyelids are then eliminated or relocated to help decrease the sagging of the brow.
The endosopic eye brow lift requires little cutting and is the least invasive surgery for eye brow lifts. This is why this procedure leaves little scarring and bruising. And is no need for anesthesia during the endoscopic brow lift.
After the procedure the patient may have or feel:
- Discomfort which is temporary and can be relived with medication
- Bruising
- Numbing and/or tingling
- Swelling
Who is the Best Candidate for a Brow Lift?
The best candidates for a brow lift are the ones looking to improve their appearance. The eyebrows may have a sagging look either because of aging or even because of an inherited brow. Some people are born with eyebrows which naturally sag. These individuals look to lift the brows and decrease the surplus of skin which hangs on the eyelid.
Some patients are not only getting eyebrow lifts to reverse the signs of aging. Patients looking for brow lifts may also be looking to fix the symmetry of their brows as well as alter the shape of their eyebrows.
Many brow lift patients fall within the 40 to 70 year age range. Some candidates who are younger are looking for an easy solution to help their premature aging or their genetic eyebrows. The best candidates are healthy not only physically but also mentally and emotionally.
Benefits
The main reason why individuals consider a brow lift is to obviously lift their eyebrows. The brow lift will elevate your eyebrows but there are also other benefits. These benefits may include:
- Decrease in wrinkles between eyebrows above nose area
- Decrease in wrinkles and lines within forehead area
- Improve proportion of eyebrows
The overall benefit is that your face regains a more youthful appearance. The appearance of your face also goes from sad or angry to happy and cheerful…at least when you are smiling! After your eyebrows are lifted, you will gain a new sense of self-esteem as you will feel much better about how you look.
Risks
As with any medical procedure, some risks may or may not come along with the surgery. These risks may include:
- Infection of the stitched area
- Inability to move the eyebrows or the forehead (this can be corrected with an additional procedure)
- Permanent scars
- Permanent hair loss
- Permanent loss of feeling in the stitched area
- Excessive bleeding
It has been noted by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery that patients who undergo endoscopic lift experience less complications than conventional-incision patients with occurrence of fewer than one percent.
Also, additional surgeries or procedures may be needed depending on the results wanted by the patient. These surgeries or procedures may include neck lift, face lift, chemical peels or eyelid surgery.
As with any medical procedure it is best to consult your physician to understand all of the risks and benefits. Your medical doctor can also determine if you are among a better candidate for the brow lift procedure.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
