What is a Brow Lift?
A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift or forehead rejuvenation, is a procedure commonly used to treat eyebrow ptosis. Eyebrow ptosis is more commonly known as drooping eyebrows. Age and heredity are the two main reasons why eyebrows become droopy.
A brow lift may be used to attempt to return the eyebrow to its natural position. The natural brow position in men is generally on the brow bone with a flatter (less arched) contour. In women, the natural brow position is generally just above the brow bone with the arc approximately at the outer edge of the colored part of the eye (known as the lateral limbus). However, everyone’s natural appearance is different. We use a customized approach that considers your unique facial characteristics and helps you obtain the best results.
What is the Brow Lift Procedure Like?
A brow lift works to elevate the eyebrow back to its natural position. For cases of mild-to-moderate eyebrow ptosis, a correction can be accomplished with a volume increasing injection. For more severe cases of brow ptosis, surgery may be required. An incision may be made directly above the brow, in the forehead creases, or at the hairline to correct the brow. Brow lifts generally require one to two hours of surgery. Depending on your consultation and desired results, three different surgical techniques may be used to correct the ptosis:
- Hairline Brow Lift: Using this technique, your oculofacial surgeon will create an incision between the upper area of your forehead and the start of your hairline. They will then remove a minimal amount of skin and/or tissue within the area. Your surgeon may recommend a hairline brow lift if you have a high receding hairline. This is due to the fact that this procedure does not pull your hairline back. Depending on the healing, this procedure may leave a visible scar along the hairline.
- Endoscopic Brow Lift: Using this technique, your oculofacial surgeon will create several small incisions behind your hairline. They will then lift the forehead tissue from within the incision. After your surgeon determines the correct position for the eyebrow according to your desired results, they will anchor the tissue in place and close the incisions.
- Coronal Brow Lift: Using this technique, your oculofacial surgeon will create an incision along the top of your head, generally from ear to ear. They will then lift your forehead to achieve the desired results. The lifted scalp skin will overlap the incision. Afterward, the excess overlap of scalp skin is removed and the incision is closed.
A brow lift can be done in conjunction with other procedures, such as a blepharoplasty, to achieve the optimum results.
When Should I Consider a Brow Lift?
Some patients may need a brow lift due to a neurologic problem (such as Bells Palsy) or trauma (injury to the brow or forehead). You should consider undergoing a brow lift if:
- Your eyelids feel heavy all the time
- Your peripheral vision is blocked
- You look angry all of the time
- You feel like you looked more aged than you actually are
If you experience any of these aforementioned issues, consider contacting us to set up a consultation with one of our board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeons.
For before and after pictures of our brow lift procedure, click here.
For information on post-operative care and instructions, click here.
