If the face you see in the mirror looks tired, grumpy, and forlorn even when you don’t feel it, your eyes and forehead might be to blame. The eyes and forehead play important roles in how your emotions are communicated, and a brow that’s sagging and heavy can make you look tired or unhappy. Brow lift cosmetic surgery could give you just the lift your mood needs!
A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, involves surgery to minimize drooping eyebrows, “hooding” over the eyes, forehead furrows, and frown lines that come with age. The result can take years off your appearance. Recent advancements in the surgical approach to the brow or forehead have been helped along by the endoscope, a special viewing instrument that allows your plastic surgeon to see the tissues through very small incisions.
Smaller incisions greatly lessen the possibility of hair loss or numbness, and there’s less swelling and bruising. As a result, you can resume your everyday activities more quickly, though individual results can vary.
What Are Some Benefits Of A Brow Lift?
A brow lift can directly address the issues of droopy eyebrows, hooding over the eyes, forehead furrows, and more to help patients enjoy a more naturally refreshed appearance in addition to other positive results:
- You’ll look more approachable—no more worries about being perceived as angry or fretful.
- You’ll have a brighter and more naturally alert look.
- You’ll have greater self-confidence in your appearance and your ability to communicate with facial expressions.
If you feel that you’re in need of a brow lift, let’s take a closer look at what you need to know beforehand.
Are You A Candidate For An Endoscopic Brow Lift?
Candidates for an endoscopic brow lift include men and women, usually between 30 and 60, who have noticed visible signs of aging on the upper portion of their faces. Ideal candidates can also be people with inherited conditions such as a droopy brow or furrowed lines above the nose.
Besides the endoscopic brow lift, there are other types of brow lift surgeries that a board-certified plastic surgeon can perform based on your goals, unique anatomy, and the extent of corrections needed to achieve your desired results.
- Endoscopic Brow Lift
Cosmetic surgeons are increasingly using the endoscopic method of brow lift surgery, which is much less invasive than previous techniques and can often achieve desirable results. For an endoscopic brow lift, the surgeon makes a series of very short incisions (about ¾”) just behind the hairline. Then, using a special, tiny camera and thin instruments, the muscles are repositioned and the underlying tissues of the forehead are lifted, removing excess fat and tissue as needed to create a more youthful brow. - Temporal or Limited Incision Brow Lift
A temporal brow lift involves slightly longer incisions than an endoscopic brow lift and is most commonly performed at the same time as eyelid surgery. The incisions are about 1-inch long and are made above each temple, behind the hairline. Through the incisions, the surgeon will lift and reposition the outer brow area’s tissues. Then, through the incisions made for an upper eyelid procedure, the area between the eyebrows is given a lift to smooth out frown lines. - Classic or Coronal Brow Lift
Formerly the standard technique of brow lifts, the coronal brow lift has pretty much fallen out of favor and fashion as well-qualified cosmetic surgeons are typically able to make needed improvements with less invasive techniques. In some cases, however, a coronal brow lift may be necessary to achieve a patient’s desired goals. The classic or coronal brow lift involves making one long incision behind the hairline that runs from ear to ear. Any excess skin, fat, and tissue is removed, and the brow muscles are repositioned to provide a more youthful appearance.
Tips To Follow Before Your Brow Lift
As with any cosmetic or plastic surgery, there are some steps you can follow to ensure good results:
- Choose a board-certified, skilled New York plastic surgeon like Dr. Kevin Tehrani, who will discuss your concerns about your appearance, review your medical history, and give you a physical exam.
- Follow the precise, pre-operative instructions provided for you and take the necessary prescriptions given to you before your surgery.
- Refrain from taking all aspirin, aspirin-containing, and anti-inflammatory products at least ten days before your surgery, and for ten days after. These products can cause increased bleeding and lengthen recovery time.
Your surgeon will give you a list of which medications to avoid. You may take Tylenol during the pre-operative time, and you’ll also have a list of vitamins and homeopathic preparations to take before and after your surgery to promote healing and limit bruising.
- If you smoke, you’ll be required to quit smoking at least six weeks prior to your procedure. Nicotine increases the chances of complications and can interfere with the process of your recovery.
- Keep your body hydrated before your procedure, which is good advice to follow for any invasive procedure.
- Arrange to have your home set up comfortably for your return, and for someone to provide transportation from the surgical site. Also, have someone who can assist you and stay with you for at least a couple of days following your procedure.
Tips To Follow After Your Brow Lift
A brow lift surgery is generally an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation with local anesthesia. The type of brow lift to be performed will determine the duration of the surgery. If you intend to have multiple procedures done at once, that will also affect the duration of your appointment
Incisions for your brow lift may be finished off with sutures or staples, and they are typically removed after about one week. Patients usually experience relatively little pain after a brow lift, although feeling some slight discomfort and tight sensation across the forehead is common. Swelling and bruising are also common during the first ten days following surgery. Symptoms generally subside after about two weeks. But to help ensure success in your recovery, here are some tips to follow:
- Place ice packs around the eye area to help reduce swelling. This could be included in your post-care instructions from your surgeon.
- Keep your head elevated when lying down or sleeping for about a week after your procedure.
- Take the medication prescribed for you by your surgeon and follow the instructions strictly in the event that you experience pain (which is uncommon), or numbness and discomfort (which is common). Your forehead may be taped or wrapped loosely with a garment to reduce swelling.
- Keep incisions clean and shower regularly, and use a gentle shampoo and conditioner to wash your hair.
- Avoid any straining in your first week of recovery, and if you must participate in any physical activity, be sure that it’s mild to protect yourself during the early stage of healing.
- Do not engage in any workouts or strenuous exercises until after your first month of recovery, as this might increase your blood pressure and result in pain or discomfort.
- Stay on a liquid diet for the first day following your procedure. After the second day and going forward, you can resume eating normal food that’s soft and easy to chew.
- Maintain a balanced diet that’s rich in nutrients to help your recovery process. Drinking plenty of juices and water will help you stay hydrated and compensate for fluid loss.
Non-Surgical Brow Lift
If you are not ready to have surgery or would like to try the new look first, consider non-surgical brow lift which works by relaxing the muscles that are underlying the skin. Botox injections can be used to relax the muscle that makes the eyebrow go downwards, and thereby prevent and reduce sagging.
Get Your Brow (And Confidence) Lifted at Aristocrat
Dr. Tehrani has been in practice for many years, providing natural-looking endoscopic brow lifts for his patients. In Manhattan and Long Island, as well as the entire New York area, you have many options when choosing a surgeon for your brow lift. The more you know about the procedure and options available to you, the better equipped you’ll be to make an informed decision.
When you choose Aristocrat Plastic Surgery & MedAesthetics, you’ll feel 100% comfortable with your decision. We’re available to answer any and all questions you might have, so give us a call today!