Brow Lift

Brow Lift

A Brow Lift Offers Both Cosmetic and Health Benefits

Don’t Look Older Than You Feel

Over time, the forehead develops lines and wrinkles in response to the expressions or muscle movement that takes place in this area of the face. As a result, both horizontal lines and frown lines can cause patients in Plano, McKinney, and the surrounding communities in Texas to look stressed, perpetually, angry or overly serious.

Look More Vibrant!

Fortunately, a brow lift can be performed to take years off your appearance and smooth out those unpleasant looking wrinkles or lines. You can expect a marked reduction of lines across your forehead and between your brows as well as elevation of your eyebrows to a more youthful position. Elevation of the eyebrows will also reduce the amount of excess upper eyelid skin you see. In some cases, depending on the individual, a brow lift may be performed in connection with eyelid surgery to fully rejuvenate the eyes and forehead.

Good Candidates for a Brow Lift

Generally those individuals who can benefit from a brow lift are experiencing the following facial issues:

  • furrows between the brows,
  • upper eyelids that appear heavy,
  • horizontal forehead lines,
  • droopy eyebrows, or
  • tired looking appearance.

Conventional and Endoscopic Rhytidectomy: An Introduction to the Brow Lift Procedure

A conventional open brow lift and endoscopic brow lift are the two primary kinds of brow lift surgery. The youth-enhancing procedure is performed in either a hospital or outpatient facility. Usually, the surgery can be performed using only a local anesthetic, which means you’ll be sedated but will still be aware of what is going on around you.

In some cases, a general anesthesia is used which causes the patient to sleep during the operation. A brow lift takes from one to two hours on the outset, and patients can return home the day the surgery is performed.

Brow lifts are performed by either conventional means, using incisions, or by an endoscopic technique, which makes use of an incision that is smaller and a local anesthetic. The endoscopic brow lift generally results in less scarring and minimal swelling and bruising, which in turn reduces recovery time.

The Conventional Brow Lift

Preparation of the Brow Area

Preparation for a conventional brow lift includes clipping the hair and tying it away from the incision site. Incisions are generally made next to the ear and run up toward the hairline or beside the structural bone lines next to the scalp.

After incisions are made, the skin on the forehead is lifted, the muscles are repositioned, or additional tissue is removed. Any excess skin is trimmed away. Incisions are then clipped or sutured before the doctor applies gauze and a bandage around the head. Stitches or staples are removed about a week after the surgery.

Endoscopic Brow Lift

An endoscopic brow lift requires that the surgeon make a small number of micro-incisions within the scalp. An endoscopic instrument is used to create a map of the eyebrows and forehead, all of which enables the doctor to lift the forehead skin and get rid of any excess of fat, skin, or muscles in the area of the brow. Afterwards, the area is clipped or sutured, and gauze and a bandage are applied. The staples or sutures and gauze are removed approximately a week after the procedure.

Possible Complications from a Brow Lift

As with any surgical procedure, there is the potential for complications. Generally, a brow lift is considered safe. However, it’s also important to know some of the possible adverse side effects. For example, some reactions might include:

  • A loss of feeling where the incisions are made. In most instances, this kind of side effect is only temporary. Nevertheless, it may not abate as expected over time.
  • In very rare cases, paralysis can sometimes occur in the area of the lower forehead or surrounding the eyebrows.
  • Hair loss can occur beside the scar lines.

Dr. Slack is a well-qualified plastic surgeon and is knowledgeable in brow lift procedures. So the above side effects are not reactions that should be a cause for concern. As long as you adhere to the surgeon’s pre-operative and postoperative recommendations, you should experience few, if any, difficulties in this respect.

Brow Lift Preoperative Care

Preoperative directions may include the following:

  • If you smoke, you need to refrain from the activity at least a month before the procedure.
  • You’ll need to stop taking supplements, such as vitamins or herbs, and any medications that act as blood thinners a couple weeks before the operation.
  • On the day of the surgery, or specifically after midnight, do not drink or eat anything.

Regular or Anticipated Side Effects of a Brow Lift

After the surgery, expect to experience such side effects as the following:

  • tingling or numbness at the surgery site,
  • bruising and swelling,
  • some hair loss which grows back after about two months,
  • minor pain or discomfort, and
  • itching.

Depending on the type of brow lift performed, the above reactions can last from three to four weeks.

Postoperative Care after a Brow Lift

Postoperative instructions encourage a faster recovery and include the following:

  • wearing a head bandage for several days following the lift (you won’t be able to wash your hair until the bandage is removed),
  • elevating the head while lying down or resting,
  • using an ice pack to reduce swelling,
  • taking prescribed pain relievers,
  • avoiding any activities that are considered strenuous, including lifting anything heavy, and
  • applying prescription ointment to help reduce scarring.

Total Recovery Time from a Brow Lift

Patients generally return to their regular routines or daily activities after about ten days.

Health Benefits Associated with a Brow Lift

A Cure for Migraines

While the main purpose for a brow lift is to cosmetically enhance and improve one’s facial appearance, the cosmetic procedure has also been proven to aid in curing migraine sufferers of headache pain. According to one recent study in the January 2011 edition of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® (PRS®), respondents who suffered from excruciating headaches who underwent a brow lift often experienced a marked reduction, if not complete cure, from the attacks.

That’s because a brow lift frequently involves the removal of certain nerves and muscle tissues that trigger the headache pain. So not only will a brow lift make you look younger, it can also make you feel physically better too.

Brow Lifts Can Also Aid in Relieving Men of Impaired Eyesight

In addition, brow lifts for men can solve health issues, such as impaired vision. Because male eyebrows generally begin at a lower position than female brows, a brow lift, performed either alone or with eyelid surgery, not only aids in improving one’s eyesight but restores a more youthful appearance as well.

Contact Dr. Slack about a Brow Lift in Plano and McKinney, Texas

If you have questions about brow lift procedures or you’re sure that you’d benefit from this procedure, schedule a private consultation with Dr. Slack to discuss your goals and concerns. He looks forward to speaking with you.