What is a Forehead Lift?

Browplasty, or brow lift or forehead lift, is a surgical procedure elevate a drooping eyebrow that may obstruct vision, or to remove or lessen lines and wrinkles that run across the forehead. Although it can be performed as its own surgery, a forehead lift may also be part a more complete cosmetic package that includes blepharoplasty and a mid-face lift for a complete facial restoration.

Forehead lift procedure

A forehead lift is typically an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia. Before beginning, the hair at the front of the head is pinned back, and hair along the incision line trimmed. The incision follows an arc from the top of one ear to a few inches behind the hairline, then down to the top of the other ear. If the hairline is high or the patient is balding or has thin hair, the incision may follow a different path to keep it inconspicuous after it heals.

After the incision is made, the skin is carefully lifted, exposing the muscle and tissue, and excess tissue removed, muscles are altered as necessary and the incision is sutured. The entire procedure lasts between one and three hours.

Forehead lift innovations and alternatives

Because of advances in technology, not all surgeons use the traditional method for a forehead lift. Many have turned to using endoscopic techniques because it is less invasive and the recovery time is quicker. An endoscope is a tiny camera inserted beneath the skin through a small incision. Through the camera, the surgeon is able to see what areas need to be corrected, and he or she uses an accompanying surgical instrument to perform the same actions as the traditional procedure.

In some cases, invasive surgeries are ignored and patients opt for injections of Botox every four to six months to achieve the same effects.

Recovery period

Bandages can be removed after two or three days, and staples or clips after about two weeks. Patients typically return to work after ten days to two weeks, with endoscopic patients returning even sooner.

Who has a forehead lift?

Most forehead lift patients are between the ages of forty and sixty and experience sagging eyebrows, deep horizontal creases across the forehead, or deep frown lines.

This information is not intended as medical advice, but as source of general information. If you are considering a forehead lift, please consult with your physician to get the facts and proper guidance necessary.