Many people believe that excess skin in the upper eyelids is the main cause of an aged, droopy look in the eye area. More often, however, it’s the brow that contributes significantly to these age-related cosmetic changes. Also known as a forehead lift, a brow lift can lift and rejuvenate the forehead and eye area on its own or enhance the improvements made during an upper blepharoplasty or droopy eyelid surgery.
What is a Brow Lift and why is it important?
The passage of time affects the appearance of certain facial areas in different ways. On the forehead, you may begin to see wrinkles and lines form above the eyebrows and between the brows. At the same time, the forehead skin loses its elasticity, causing the eyebrows to droop and hooding the upper eyelids. The result is a tired or angry-looking appearance. Brow lift is a surgical procedure that addresses these facial aging concerns and restores a refreshed and relaxed overall appearance.
Brow lift is performed as an outpatient procedure, either with minimal sedation or with a general anesthetic based on patient preference. The specific surgical steps and incision technique vary based on the needs of each patient. Typically, the tissue and muscle underneath the skin are adjusted to smooth creases and furrows on the forehead. Asymmetries can be addressed if necessary. Brow lift is commonly performed in conjunction eye lift surgery.
During your initial consultation, Dr. Wulc will evaluate your forehead and overall facial anatomy. We will discuss your aesthetic concerns and goals in order to develop a treatment plan that best achieves the desired outcome. Rest assured that our brow lift surgeons are aptly trained and skilled in achieving great results. Your surgeon will work carefully to preserve your unique beauty. The degree of lifting is carefully planned prior to surgery in order to avoid an unnatural look.
Who benefits from a Brow Lift?
You may be an ideal candidate for brow lift if you have any of the following concerns:
- Lines or creases on the forehead (horizontal forehead furrows)
- Lines between the brows (frown lines)
- Loose, excess skin on the brow that droops over the upper eyelids
If lifting your face like this makes you look younger, more refreshed and relaxed:
you might benefit from a brow lift.
Benefits of a Brow Lift
Your brows are the most important determinant of the expression of your eyes. Heavy brows make the eyelids appear heavy. Brows that elevate excessively to compensate for droopy eyelids can make people look sinister. Unlike many other cosmetic surgeries, forehead lifts lead to semi-permanent results, so patients can enjoy a younger, more refreshed appearance and a more relaxed expression for years.
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
Mini Brow Lift before and after
A mini brow lift is a procedure performed with a single incision above the eyebrow either right above it or in the temple. The procedure leaves a well concealed scar but does address the entire brow, only the outer part of it. Of course, this is the most important part that often sags with aging, but if the central brow is not a problem and there is no need to work on the muscles of the glabella (surgical Botox!) then this procedure can be very effective. The incision measures 3 mm to up to an inch.
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
Preparing for a Brow Lift
To prepare for a brow lift, we ask you to stop taking anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin as they may interfere with the healing process. Ideally, old photographs will help us determine the optimum location to place the brows so that once they are healed, there is a semblance to their position in the past.
Our Endoscopic Brow Lift Procedure
Forehead lift techniques vary, but our preferred method at W Cosmetic Surgery is the endoscopic brow lift. This is performed using a small telescope (endoscope) that is inserted under the skin through a tiny incision hidden above the hairline. Typically, five incisions are made for optimal accessibility. This technique often includes minimally-invasive removal of excess upper eyelid skin and sculpture of the fat pads in the upper eyelids (upper blepharoplasty) and the brow fat pads and frowning muscles.
We use a high-definition camera to enhance all tissues and to visualize the gentle reshaping and re-contouring of the brow during the procedure. After Dr. Wulc performs a brow lift, he closes the incisions. This procedure can be performed under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation or with general anesthesia, according to the patient’s preferences and overall health. No dressings or drains are necessary for our forehead lift procedure.
Recovering From a Brow Lift
It takes between one and two weeks for patients to recover from a forehead lift.
In most cases, it takes between one and two weeks for patients to recover from a forehead lift. While patients may be able to resume work and other daily activities after a week, we recommend they take about 10 days to two weeks off if possible so their surgical wounds have enough time to heal. This will also allow the swelling and bruising time to subside.
Although it is important to get plenty of rest, it is generally safe for patients to engage in light activities during recovery. Moderate to strenuous activity and exercise, however, should be avoided during the first few weeks.
What happens after a Brow Lift?
Dr. Wulc will perform an intraoperative pain block to limit discomfort in the immediate postoperative period. We also prescribe a pain medication that you can take to alleviate any pain or discomfort you may experience after surgery. Fortunately, most of the pain should subside after the initial 72 hours. We use makeup to disguise any residual bruising when you are ready to return to work. Brow lift patients should wait at least two full weeks after surgery before participating in heavy lifting, exercise, or strenuous activity.
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- Susan F.
Frequently Asked Questions About Forehead Lift
What is the ideal age for a forehead lift?
There is no ideal age for this surgery. Someone in their late 20s and someone in their late 50s or 60s, or even their 70s, may both benefit from this procedure. A consultation is a perfect way to determine whether or not a patient is a good candidate for a facial plastic procedure such as a brow lift. Philadelphia surgeon Dr. Wulc will thoroughly assess every patient’s candidacy for this surgery. If you are interested in facial plastic surgery, please call our office in Philadelphia to make an appointment.
When do the results of forehead lift surgery become apparent?
The results of brow lift surgery usually start to show as soon as the swelling subsides. Patients can expect to enjoy complete results within a few months.
Are there any risks associated with this procedure?
Just like all cosmetic surgery procedures, brow lifts come with some risks. Some of these risks include excessive scarring, hyperpigmentation, numbness, blood clots, and infection. Fortunately, these risks are rare, especially when the procedure is performed by a highly-skilled, multi board-certified surgeon like Dr. Wulc. Endoscopic brow lifts, in particular, involve fewer risks.
Do brow lifts lead to permanent results?
After a forehead lift, patients can enjoy a younger, more relaxed appearance for many years. However, aging may eventually cause the brow to droop and necessitate the need for another brow lift down the road. No procedure can hold off signs of aging forever, but a forehead lift can rejuvenate the face and slow down further aging. Some, but not all, of our patients elect to continue to address forehead movement and persistent wrinkles with Botox even after their procedure.
Can a brow/forehead lifts be paired with other procedures?
Yes. Actually, brow lift is rarely done without also addressing upper eyelid skin excess. These two procedures can correct sagging brows and excessive skin in the upper eyelids. This procedure may also be combined with a facelift or neck lift.
Will a brow lift lead to a “surprised” appearance?
Some patients are concerned that a brow lift may make them look surprised or impact their ability to move their forehead. The reality is that modern plastic surgery emphasizes subtle and natural results and the surprised, arched look that patients fear is usually the result of older lift techniques or inexperienced surgeons. Dr. Wulc makes natural-looking results a top priority.
Is a forehead lift painful?
Patients can expect to feel some discomfort as they are recovering from a brow lift. Fortunately, pain can be relieved with medication and should resolve itself completely within a few days.
How does this brow treatment compare to Botox or a facelift?
Botox is a non-surgical treatment that is designed to eliminate lines and wrinkles on the forehead and around the eye area. However, it does not have the ability to correct skin fold drooping around the eyes as dramatically as a brow lift.
During a consultation, Dr. Wulc will your problem areas and recommend their ideal treatment plan. While a brow lift resolves issues in the upper area of the face, a facelift can also improve the mid and lower areas of the face.
What happens if a patient has a receding hairline but would like to undergo brow lift surgery and hide their scars?
Dr. Wulc may be able to conduct a brow lift via an upper eyelid incision so that he can conceal the scar in the upper eyelid crease. Forehead lift incisions can easily be hidden, even in men that shave their heads.
How can a man benefit from this procedure?
Although forehead lifts are more common in women, many men can benefit from them. A drooping brow can make a man appear angry or threatening. If a man has deep creases in his forehead, a forehead lift can take years off his complexion– and make him appear more friendly.
Where are the scars from an endoscopic brow lift and how is healing from a brow lift?
The scars from an endoscopic brow lift are not visible even in patients who are bald. Scarring from a direct brow lift generally improves with time and can be treated with radiofrequency or microdermabrasion.
What does brow lift recovery look like?
(Patients who are recovering from brow lift generally do not wish to have their pictures published online.) This patient is approximately a week following her brow lift: In the initial consultation, we show pictures of before and afters at every phase of your postoperative convalescence so that you get an idea of how you will look in your recuperation.
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
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Schedule Your Forehead Lift Consultation Today!
Are you ready to look younger and more refreshed? If so, you owe it to yourself to schedule a brow lift consultation with Dr. Wulc at W Cosmetic Surgery in Philadelphia, PA. To make an eyebrow lift appointment, please call our office at 610-828-8880 or fill out our handy online contact form. Dr. Wulc looks forward to meeting you and helping you bring your aesthetic goals to life through a brow lift. Serving customers from Plymouth, Philadelphia, Main Line, PA and surrounding areas.
Why Choose Dr. Allan Wulc
He is board certified in:
- Ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology
- Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery by the ASOPRS
- Cosmetic Surgery, Facial by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery
- Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery by the American Board of Physician Specialties