When we age wrinkle lines typically will appear on the forehead which is known as forehead wrinkles. The lines between the brows (frown lines) can give the appearance of sagging brow which can make your facial expressions look angry or too serious. Also, when the forehead skin sags, it may cause the eyebrows to droop; therefore hooding our upper eyelids can occur and giving a tired look to the eye area. Another name for a brow lift is facial plastic surgery known as forehead lift; this cosmetic procedure is a combination of a facelift or eyelid surgery which gives you that facial rejuvenation appearance. A brow lift can help tighten the soft tissues on the forehead and give you a more youthful appearance.
What are the Benefits of a Brow Lift?
- Improvement in creases, forehead wrinkles and folds
- Elevation of brow line
- Energized, happy and youthful appearance
- A boost in self-confidence
Am I a Good Candidate for a Brow Lift?
If you have trouble with your vision due to signs of aging such as loose skin around the upper portion of the eyes and crow’s feet, or you want to erase a few years from your face, then yes this procedure is definitely for you. Women and men both can benefit from this cosmetic surgical procedure, but especially women. Women tend to have delicate skin around the eyes and this skin begins to lose elasticity and shape over time. A patient with realistic expectations and good health is an ideal candidate for a blepharoplasty or browlift procedure.
What to Expect With a Brow Lift
Dr. Payne, our Houston plastic surgeon, will suggest to either use intravenous sedation, local anesthesia or general anesthesia during your browlift outpatient procedure. There are several type of brow lifts that may be done and Dr. Payne will guide you through the process during your consultation with us. We will discuss all your options with you, and when you are ready we will schedule your procedure.
- Open Brow Lift: also known as a classic or coronal browlift. Typically there will be one long incision that runs on the top of your scalp at or above the level of the hairline. This procedure is performed by loosening muscle and removing excess skin of the forehead if necessary. The excess skin is then removed and the remaining skin is pulled downwards and eyebrow is placed into its new position. If the incision is at the hairline, there is a risk of it becoming visible. However a pretrichal incision helps hide this scar if done correctly. If there is a long forehead shape, this procedure might be a better option to reduce the forehead height.
- Endoscopic Forehead Lift: also known as minimally invasive endoscopic brow lift involves placing 2-3 small incisions behind the hairline in order to elevate the brow. Sutures are placed in the deep muscle area after the muscle is released then elevated and anchored into the bone for a new elevated brow position. Deep furrows between the brows can also be treated with this technique by removing the muscles between the brows. The incisions are hidden above the hairline. This type of procedure works best if there is a shorter forehead.
- Non-invasive treatment such as Botox does not give you the optimal results when compared to surgery. Botox treats dynamic wrinkles of the forehead and the deep furrows between the brows causing the skin to have a more smooth appearance.
What to Expect After Brow Lift Surgery
After your brow lift cosmetic surgery, recovery time will take about 2 weeks for you to heal. After the first night of your surgery swelling, numbness and bruising is normal. Swelling can begin to subside after 72 hours. If are experiencing any pain, we recommend over the counter pain medication such as Tylenol or Advil. Do not perform any heavy lifting or strenuous activities for 1-2 weeks. You will have small incisions which will have sutures. Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Payne will remove those during one of your post-op appointments. Once you heal you can expect to have a lifted and more awake appearance. Dr. Payne and his staff will take every detail into account to make sure you have a smooth recovery.
“The staff is absolutely amazing! My results are awesome! The doctor kept his word and enhanced the beauty that was already there. wonderful job!”
When Can I Go Back to Work?
After your brow lift surgery, should be ready to return to work after your bandages have been removed, and you will want to avoid strenuous activities for the first week or until Dr. Payne approves it. Initially, you may experience swelling and bruising. Dr. Payne may advise you to sleep with your head propped up to prevent you from lying directly on your face.
How Long Will Brow Lift Results Last?
Once the scalp and hairline are completely healed you will enjoy a more youthful appearance. Wrinkles around the brow area will be minimal after your cosmetic surgery. With maintaining a healthy lifestyle and using good skincare regimen such sunscreen your results may last for several years.
Typically results from a browlift can last 7-10 years but it depends on the type of surgery performed. Some ways to maintain the results are to undergo regular Botox injections when wrinkles begin to appear again. For any concerns and safety it is important for you to return to your plastic surgeon’s office for a routine follow up evaluation.
What are the Risks of Brow Lift Surgery?
Like with any procedure there are risks and complications associated with the surgery. Brow lift surgery can have typical risks such as bleeding, infection, scar and numbness. The risk of asymmetry is always a possibility especially since asymmetry usually is present prior to surgery and will persist after surgery. Numbness can occur if a direct brow lift procedure is performed where the incision is made directly above the eyebrow. The need for future revision surgery is also possible with any procedure performed. We recommend following the postoperative instructions carefully as healing can be unpredictable. If any problems arise, it is important to notify the surgeon immediately.
How Much Does a Forehead Lift Cost?
Typically pricing for an outpatient procedure is determined by the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia cost and facility fees. The average cost of surgeon’s fee is about $6000-$8000 for brow lift plastic surgery.
Schedule a Consultation
Contact Texas Liposuction Specialty Clinic in Houston today to schedule a consultation for your Liposuction with Dr. Payne.