Whether it be gravity, sun damage, or facial deflation, the eyebrows can descend to a position that is displeasing. Because we are driven to see clearly, patients with low brows often raise their brows during conversation and times of concentration, causing deep horizontal furrows to develop over the forehead and the bridge of the nose.
A brow lift or forehead lift is a surgical procedure which aims to place the eyebrow in a more alert, more youthful position. Types of brow lifts may also reduce the wrinkles that develop within the forehead and area at the bridge of the nose, while also treating the frown lines between the eyebrows.
Who is the best candidate for a brow lift?
Appropriate patients for brow lifts are a physically healthy man or woman who has realistic expectations about the forehead lift procedure and is interested in minimizing the appearance of drooping brows, horizontal lines, and furrows of the forehead. Although most patients receiving forehead lifts are between the ages of 35 and 65, the procedure can be performed at any age if necessary. Often, the procedure is combined with eyelid lifts for improvement of the eyelid/brow area as a unit.
Where are brow lifts performed?
Most procedures are done in an outpatient surgery center. The forehead lift procedure itself typically takes between one and two hours to complete and is most commonly performed with a general anesthetic.
What is recovery like from a brow lift?
Brow lifts often have more discomfort during the initial recovery, with the first 48-72 hours resulting in a moderate headache requiring narcotic pain medication. Typically, this recedes and the remainder of the patient’s post-operative course involves incision care and quiet time to allow for improvement in bruising and swelling. Patient’s may report initially a “surprised look” as the brows are lifted higher during surgery to allow for some post-operative settling to occur within the first 6 months from surgery.