Brow/Forehead Lift

As we age, our skin begins to lose its elasticity and firmness, leading to the formation of wrinkles and sagging. One of the areas where these signs of aging can be particularly noticeable is the forehead and eyebrow region. Over time, the skin of the forehead may begin to droop and the eyebrows can descend, creating an unintentionally sad, tired or angry facial expression that can affect your confidence and make you look older than you actually are. 

Fortunately, a brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, can help to rejuvenate the appearance of the forehead and eyebrows by lifting the forehead and restoring a youthful shape to the brow. At Daines Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, California, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Steven M. Daines can help you achieve your desired results with minimal downtime, recovery and visible scarring using the latest brow lift techniques.

WHAT IS A BROW LIFT?

A brow lift, sometimes called a forehead lift, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that raises the position of the eyebrows and contours the skin of the forehead to reduce the signs of aging. This procedure can address skin that has sagged over the eyes and begun to obstruct vision, as well as soften deep forehead wrinkles. A brow lift can often produce excellent results as a standalone procedure, but depending on your unique concerns and treatment goals, it may be paired with a facelift, eyelid rejuvenation surgery (blepharoplasty) or other cosmetic surgery to further enhance the youthfulness of the face. 

CANDIDATES FOR A BROW LIFT

The best candidates for a brow lift are those who are experiencing sagging forehead skin, creases or lines in the upper portion of the face and hooding of the upper eyelids. Candidates should also have realistic expectations of what plastic surgery can do for them and be prepared to take time off from work and daily activities to allow the body time to heal. If you have the following concerns, this procedure may be right for you:

• Sagging or drooping eyebrows
• Wrinkles, lines or creases on the forehead
• A tired or angry appearance

A one-on-one consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Daines will determine if you are a good candidate for a brow lift. He will thoroughly assess your concerns and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you meet your goals. If necessary, he can also recommend other options that may be better suited to your individual needs.

BROW LIFT TECHNIQUES

There are several different techniques that can be used to perform a brow lift, including the traditional brow lift, endoscopic brow lift and temporal brow lift. The specific technique used will depend on your individual needs and the preferences of your plastic surgeon.

During a traditional brow lift, an incision is made across the forehead, usually just above the hairline. The skin is then lifted and any excess tissue is removed. The muscles that cause wrinkles and furrows are also repositioned or removed to create a smoother, more youthful appearance. The incision is then closed with sutures.

An endoscopic brow lift is a less invasive technique that uses several small incisions instead of one large incision. A small camera can be inserted through one of the incisions, allowing the surgeon to see the underlying structures of the forehead. The tissues are then adjusted and the skin is lifted and tightened. The incisions are closed with sutures or clips.

A temporal brow lift is a popular technique that lifts and supports only the outer portion of the eyebrows. This technique is often used for patients with mild to moderate sagging in this area and is usually paired with an upper eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) for optimal results.

During your initial consultation, Dr. Daines will discuss each treatment option available for achieving your goals and formulate a suitable plan to address the intricacies of your individual needs and concerns for natural-looking, tailor-made results.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR BROW LIFT

A brow or forehead lift is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation. The surgery takes about one to two hours to complete. You’ll be free to return home the same day, but should arrange for transportation in advance as the effects of anesthesia can linger and impair your ability to drive. 

There are a number of possible brow lifts techniques for results that are customized to each patient’s unique needs and concerns. Dr. Daines primarily utilizes minimal incision browlift approaches that minimize scars and achieve durable, natural results with quicker recovery times. 

Once the incisions are made and the tissues of the brow and forehead have been released, Dr. Daines can then lift and secure the brow in a new, more youthful position to reduce the signs of aging. Worry lines or furrows that run across the forehead and frown lines between the brows can often improve with this procedure to create a smoother, more youthful appearance. 

BROW LIFT RECOVERY

The initial recovery from a brow lift procedure usually lasts about seven to 10 days. However, with the endoscopic and temporal brow lifts, healing time is usually quicker due to smaller incisions and a less invasive technique. After your appointment, you’ll receive detailed aftercare instructions from Dr. Daines to minimize discomfort and ensure a smooth recovery process. This includes instructions on how to clean and care for your incisions, which oral or topical medications to use, activity restrictions, and when to return for your follow-up appointment. 

While you’ll be able to go home the same day as your procedure, exercise and more strenuous activities should be limited for a short time after surgery. You’ll be able to gradually reincorporate these back into your daily routine within three to four weeks, but Dr. Daines will advise you when it’s safe to do so during your scheduled follow-up appointment. Any sutures or stitches will be removed one week following the surgery, and most people are generally able to return to work seven to 10 days after their procedure.

During the recovery period, patients may experience common side effects such as swelling, bruising or numbness in the brows and forehead. These are normal and should subside as the treated area begins to heal, with most side effects improving over the course of the first one to two weeks. In the meantime, makeup can be used to cover any discolorations.

BROW LIFT RESULTS

Your results will be immediately apparent following surgery — the skin will be noticeably smoother, tauter and more youthful looking. Depending on the specific concerns treated, the eyes will also appear more open and the brow won’t look as heavy or drooping. However, your final results will emerge as these improvements continue to develop over the next four to six weeks, becoming even better as the swelling subsides and incision lines continue to fade. 

Compared to other brow lift techniques, the endoscopic brow lift utilizes small, easily-hidden incisions within the hairline to minimize visible scarring. Once they have healed, incision lines will be barely visible and likely only noticeable to you. To help them fade quicker, Dr. Daines will teach you how to care for them and can also recommend high-quality skin care products, procedures or practices designed to further minimize post-surgical scarring.

Once your results have fully developed, you can expect them to last for several years. With good skin care and lifestyle habits, a surgical brow lift can help you maintain a more youthful appearance and slow the effects of aging for a decade or more. Dr. Daines will ensure that these improvements will be achieved with subtlety and complement your natural appearance, so you’ll look more alert, youthful and well-rested rather than overdone.

COMBINE YOUR BROW LIFT WITH OTHER FACIAL PROCEDURES FOR COMPREHENSIVE RESULTS

If you’re bothered by the signs of aging in other areas of the face, a brow lift can be combined with other surgical procedures to help you achieve more comprehensive results. Many patients choose to combine their brow lift with a facelift, neck lift, eyelid surgery or other treatment option for full facial rejuvenation and a harmonious, balanced appearance. 

By combining multiple procedures, you can save on surgical and anesthesia fees while reducing the total amount of downtime you’ll experience, since you’ll only have one recovery period. It can also allow for a highly detailed approach that addresses your exact concerns, with your surgeon tailoring your procedures to help you meet your aesthetic goals.

However, combining procedures can increase the complexity of the surgery, so it’s important to choose an experienced, qualified and board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Daines to ensure the best possible outcome. During your consultation, he will thoroughly assess your needs, discuss your options and guide you in making the best decision for your unique situation. Then, he will develop a personalized treatment plan just for you.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

If the effects of aging have created excessive sagging skin and wrinkles across your forehead and even impacted your vision, then schedule a consultation to discuss a brow or forehead lift. A brow lift can eliminate sagging skin that has affected your resting facial expression and restore a more youthful and friendly appearance. Call Daines Plastic Surgery today at 949-397-6499 to schedule your initial consultation with board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Daines and discuss how a forehead lift can rejuvenate your appearance.