Orange County, California
Forehead Lift (Brow Lift)
A forehead or brow lift restores a more youthful look to the area above the eyes by correcting drooping brows and improving the forehead’s horizontal lines and furrows. The muscles and tissues that cause furrowing or drooping are removed or altered to smooth the forehead, raise the eyebrows and minimize frown lines.
Your plastic surgeon may use the conventional surgical method, in which the incision is hidden behind the hairline, or it may be done through an endoscope using minimal incisions.
Who’s a Candidate?
A forehead lift is most commonly performed in the 40-60 age range to minimize the visible effects of aging. Individuals with inherited conditions such as low, heavy brow or furrowed lines above the nose can achieve a more alert, refreshed look. This procedure is often performed in conjunction with a facelift or blepharoplasty (eyelid lift).
Patients who are bald, have a receding hairline or have had previous upper eyelid surgery may still be good candidates for a forehead lift. The surgeon will simply alter the incision location or perform a more conservative operation.
What are the Risks of Forehead Lifts?
In rare cases, the nerves that control eyebrow movement may be injured on one or both sides, resulting in an inability to raise the eyebrows or wrinkle the forehead. Formation of a broad scar is also a rare complication. This may be treated surgically by removing the scar tissue so that a new, thinner scar may result.
Other potential risks include infection, bleeding and loss of sensation along or just beyond the incision line.
Preparing for Surgery
To see how a forehead lift might change your appearance, look in the mirror and place the palms of your hands at the outer edges of your eyes, above your eyebrows. Gently draw the skin up to raise the brow and forehead area. This is approximately what a forehead lift will do for you.
Your plastic surgeon will evaluate your face, including the skin and underlying bone and discuss your goals for surgery. If your hair is very short, you may wish to let it grow out before surgery, so that it’s long enough to hide the scars while they heal.
The Surgery: Two Forehead Lift Procedures
This procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis, using local anesthesia combined with a sedative. There are two different methods for performing a forehead lift:
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