At W Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Allan Wulc, a quadruple board-certified eye & facial plastic surgeon, is pleased to offer brow lift to patients in Philadelphia who are bothered by signs of aging in the upper area of their face or forehead area and are hoping to slow down the aging process and look years younger. Dr. Wulc often performs eyebrow lifts as a standalone procedure or in combination with other treatments to help patients reach their specific goals.
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.
- The Definition of a Brow Lift
- Causes of Droopy Eyelids
- Benefits of a Brow Lift
- Mini Brow Lift before and after
- Eyebrow lift before and after Botox
- Ideal Candidates for a Forehead Lift
- What to Expect During Consultation
- Preparing for a Brow Lift
- Our Endoscopic Brow Lift Procedure
- Recovering From a Brow Lift
- Frequently Asked Questions About Forehead Lift
- Schedule Your Forehead Lift Consultation Today!
The Definition of a Brow Lift
A brow lift is a facial plastic surgery that is intended to lift drooping tissues in the forehead, reduce signs of aging, and restore a more youthful look. The brow lift often reshapes the brow without lifting it, making the eye area appear more elegant, more rested, and/or more beautiful. The procedure can be performed to enhance the appearance of the forehead and upper eyelid areas, causing the entire face to look more alert and awake. In patients with severe sagging brows, performing this procedure in conjunction with a blepharoplasty often yields optimum results. For this reason, Dr. Wulc may recommend a brow lift in addition to eyelid surgery.
Causes of Droopy Eyelids
Droopy or sleepy-looking eyelids are a common concern among both men and women. While they aren’t painful or hazardous to one’s health, they can make a person look older or even obstruct their vision. Typically, droopy eyelids are the result of aging and the weakening of the skin and muscles around the eyes. Squinting from overexposure to the elements, injuries, LASIK, long term contact lens wear or cataract surgery, and genetics may also contribute to droopy eyelids.
Benefits of a Brow Lift
There are several benefits of forehead lifts that patients can look forward to. First and foremost, brow lift surgery can prevent patients from appearing tired or angry by softening folds and frown lines and resolving sagging skin. These lifts can also smooth away signs of aging in the upper portion of the face and get rid of sagging brows. Unlike many other cosmetic surgeries, forehead lifts lead to semi-permanent results, so patients can enjoy a younger, more refreshed appearance for years to come.
*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.
Eyebrow lift before and after Botox
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
Ideal Candidates for a Forehead Lift
Dr. Wulc recommends a forehead lift to patients who are bothered by their tired-looking, droopy eyelids and are looking for a younger, fresher appearance. A brow lift procedure can resolve issues such as upper eyelid fullness, frown lines, and forehead wrinkles. Patients should be in overall good health, should not smoke, and should have realistic expectations for their results. Surgery can be performed on younger patients in their 30s and 40s or older patients in their 50s and 60s. There is no “right” age for a brow lift at our Philadelphia office. Patients age at different rates, and may seek cosmetic intervention at different points in their lives.
What to Expect During Consultation
Patients who are considering this treatment should schedule a consultation with Dr. Wulc in Philadelphia. During the consultation, Dr. Wulc will assess their brow area and listen to their concerns. If he believes they can benefit from a brow lift, he will explain the procedure in detail and answer any questions the patient may have. He will also share before and after photos of real patients who have already undergone the procedure.
Preparing for a Brow Lift
To prepare for a brow lift, Philadelphia patients will be asked to stop taking anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin as they may interfere with the healing process. They may also be required to stop drinking and smoking temporarily to reduce the risk of surgical and recovery complications.
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).
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 a forehead lift procedure, as performed in our Philadelphia practice.
Recovering From a Brow 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.
It is important for patients to keep their head elevated as much as possible during the first week after a brow lift as this will help to reduce swelling. 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 prescribe a pain medication that patients can take to alleviate any pain or discomfort they may experience after surgery. Fortunately, most of the pain should subside after the initial 48 hours. When patients are ready to return to work and their other activities, they can use makeup to disguise any residual bruising. Brow lift patients should wait at least two full weeks after surgery before participating in heavy lifting, exercise, or other strenuous activity.
Frequently Asked Questions About 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.
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.
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, board-certified surgeon like Dr. Wulc. Endoscopic brow lifts, in particular, involve fewer risks.
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.
Yes. In fact, many patients opt for a brow lift and upper eyelid surgery simultaneously. 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.
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.
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 like a brow lift.
During a consultation, Dr. Wulc will assess the patient’s 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. If a patient has severe wrinkles and sagging, a full facelift may be ideal.
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 browlift 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 appearing 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 browlift 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 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.
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