Brow Lift (Forehead Lift)

A brow lift surgery can help you look rejuvenated and refreshed

A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that is designed to improve the appearance of the forehead and eyebrows. The procedure is typically performed on individuals who are experiencing wrinkles, lines, sagging or drooping eyebrows, and hooding of the upper eyelids, which can make a person look tired, sad, or older. A brow lift can help to create a more youthful and refreshed appearance by smoothing out wrinkles and lines, elevating the eyebrows, and opening up the eyes.

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A brow lift, also known as an upper facelift, is a cosmetic facial rejuvenation procedure that lifts the eyebrows and tightens the forehead and skin around the eyes. This procedure targets the upper third of the face, from the corner of the eyes upward to the frontal hairline.

As we age, the eyebrows tend to droop, and the skin loses elasticity, resulting in a tired or angry appearance. A brow lift can reverse these signs of ageing by tightening the forehead and pulling the eyebrows up. There are several types of brow lift procedures available, and the optimal procedure for each patient depends on their individual needs and desired results.

Brow lift procedures are typically performed as a day case with minimal scarring, faster recovery time, and fewer side effects. Surgeons at Centre for Surgery in London can help patients choose the optimal type of forehead lift for their needs and desired results.

The procedure can be performed using several different techniques, such as the traditional technique, the endoscopic technique or the temporal brow lift. The traditional technique involves making an incision along the hairline, lifting and repositioning the forehead skin, and removing any excess skin. The endoscopic technique involves making several small incisions in the hairline and using a small camera called an endoscope to guide the surgery. The minimal incision technique involves making small incisions in the hairline and using specialised instruments to lift the skin.

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As we age, the upper face can show various signs of ageing. Some of the most common signs include:

Wrinkles and fine lines

As the skin loses elasticity and collagen, wrinkles and fine lines can form on the forehead, between the eyebrows, and around the eyes.

Sagging skin

The skin on the upper face can lose firmness and begin to sag, which can cause drooping of the eyebrows and eyelids.

Hollow cheeks

With age, the cheeks can become hollow and sunken due to a loss of volume in the face.

Age spots

Sun exposure can cause age spots to appear on the upper face, particularly on the forehead and around the eyes.

Loss of eyelashes

As we age, the eyelashes can become thinner and less visible.

Forehead lines

Due to the constant movement of forehead muscles, wrinkles appear on the forehead.

Marionette lines

Wrinkles that run down from the corners of the mouth to the jawline.

Crow’s feet

Wrinkles that appear on the outer corners of the eyes.

To slow the signs of ageing on the upper face, it is recommended to protect the skin from the sun, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and consider skincare treatments such as facials, anti-wrinkle injections and fillers.

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A brow lift can target a variety of aesthetic concerns in the upper portion of the face. The procedure aims to improve the appearance of the forehead, brow, and upper eyelids. Some of the most common conditions that a brow lift can target include the following:

Lines and Wrinkles

As we age, wrinkles and lines can form on the forehead due to the contraction of the muscles that control facial expressions. A brow lift can smooth out these wrinkles and lines, giving the forehead a more youthful appearance.

Drooping eyebrows

Over time, the skin and muscles in the forehead can lose elasticity and tone, causing the eyebrows to droop. A brow lift can reposition the eyebrows to a more youthful, elevated position.

Hooded eyelids

The skin on the upper eyelids can become loose and saggy, creating a hooded appearance that can make a person look tired or older. A brow lift can remove the excess skin, resulting in a more open and alert appearance.

Frown lines

The wrinkles that form between the eyebrows can give the appearance of a permanent frown. A brow lift can smooth out these lines, giving the face a more relaxed and neutral expression.

Forehead asymmetry

Certain individuals may have an asymmetrical forehead, where one side may be lower than the other. A brow lift can help to balance out the forehead, creating a more symmetrical appearance.

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The procedure is typically performed on people who have wrinkles and sagging skin in these areas, as well as those with drooping eyebrows.

To determine if you are a suitable candidate for a forehead lift, a consultation with a plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon at Centre for Surgery is necessary. They will consider your medical history, current health, and cosmetic goals. They will also examine your skin, bone structure, and muscle tone in the forehead and brow area.

If you are in good general health, have realistic expectations for the outcome of the surgery, and have specific cosmetic concerns that a forehead lift can address, you may be a good candidate for the procedure. However, if you have certain medical conditions that may increase the risk of complications, such as high blood pressure or a bleeding disorder, a forehead lift may not be recommended.

Traditional Open Brow Lift:

The conventional technique for lifting the eyebrows and forehead is called the open or coronal browlift, but it is not as commonly used nowadays due to newer alternatives, such as the endoscopic brow lift, which are preferred by surgeons.

The open browlift requires a large incision along the frontal hairline that runs from ear to ear. Through this incision, the surgeon elevates the deep forehead muscles and tissues and secures them in place using sutures. Next, they pull the forehead skin tightly to smoothen out wrinkles and lines. Finally, any excess skin is removed, and the wound is sutured along the hairline.

However, plastic surgeons have replaced the traditional brow lift with newer techniques due to some disadvantages, including nerve injury, scalp numbness, hairline displacement, and destruction of hair follicles along the incision. For this reason, most surgeons now prefer to perform the endoscopic brow lift, which is less invasive and results in less scarring. Nevertheless, the traditional brow lift remains an excellent option for some patients with advanced signs of ageing.

Endoscopic Brow Lift:

An endoscopic brow lift is a minimally invasive procedure that utilises a thin tube with a camera attached to it, called an endoscope, to lift the brow. It involves making small incisions in the scalp and lifting the skin and underlying tissues. This method results in less scarring and quicker recovery compared to traditional brow lift procedures.

Temporal Brow Lift:

A temporal brow lift focuses on the outer portion of the brow, specifically the temples. This procedure is used for patients with drooping or hooding of the outer brow or those with wrinkles or lines in the temporal area. Incisions are typically made in the hairline near the temples, and the skin and underlying tissues are lifted to produce a more youthful appearance.

Transpalpebral Brow Lift – Mini Brow Lift:

A minimal incision brow lift involves making small incisions behind the hairline rather than a longer incision in the scalp. This method lifts the skin and underlying tissues, resulting in a more youthful appearance of the brow. The recovery time is quicker, and scarring is minimal compared to the traditional open brow lift.

The recommended type of brow lift procedure will depend on a patient’s individual needs, anatomy, and goals. A specialist plastic surgeon can help determine which method will best achieve the desired outcome.

A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the forehead, brow, and upper eyelids. It is typically performed under general anaesthesia and can take one to two hours, depending on the specific technique used.

Here are the general steps of the surgical procedure for a brow lift:

Anaesthesia

Before the procedure begins, the patient will be given either general anaesthesia or IV sedation to ensure a comfortable and pain-free experience.

Incision

The surgeon will make an incision on the scalp, typically in the hairline, where it can be easily hidden. There are different techniques for making the incision. One is a coronal incision, which is made across the top of the scalp; another is an endoscopic incision, which involves making a few small incisions along the hairline and using a small camera to visualise the underlying tissues.

Repositioning of tissues

The surgeon will then lift and reposition the skin, muscle, and other tissues of the forehead, brow, and upper eyelids. This can involve removing excess skin, tightening the muscles and repositioning the eyebrows to a more youthful, elevated position.

Closure of incision

After the repositioning is complete, the incision will be closed using sutures, staples or surgical glue.

Recovery

After the procedure, the patient will be given medication to help manage pain, swelling, and bruising. The patient must keep the head elevated and avoid strenuous activities for at least a week. The patient should expect some swelling and bruising to last for several weeks.

You can leave the clinic on the same day as your eyebrow lift procedure once the anaesthetic effects have worn off.

You will have dressings applied to the forehead and may have two small drains, which will help to remove any excess fluid. These will be removed after the first two days. You mustn’t get the dressing wet to avoid moisture getting into the wound and potentially delaying wound healing. One of our postoperative nurses will remove any stitches that are not dissolvable after four to seven days.

Pain Management

Pain is usually minimal after a brow lift procedure and can be managed with over-the-counter or prescription pain medication from the surgeon. It is important to take the medication as directed and not to drive or operate heavy machinery until the medication’s effects have worn off.

Swelling and Bruising

Swelling and bruising are common after a brow lift procedure and typically resolve within 7 to 10 days. Ice packs and elevation of the head can help reduce swelling and discomfort.

Wound Care

The incisions from a brow lift procedure will be closed with sutures or surgical staples. The surgeon will provide instructions on how to care for the incisions, which may include cleaning the area, avoiding certain activities, and wearing a headband or similar dressing to protect the incisions.

Activity Restrictions

Patients should avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for at least one to two weeks after the procedure to reduce the risk of complications and allow proper healing. Light activity and work can typically be resumed within one week, but more strenuous activity should be avoided for several weeks.

Follow-up Visits

The surgeon will schedule follow-up visits to monitor the healing process and make sure the incisions are healing properly. Any concerns or problems should be reported to the surgeon during these visits.

Final Results

The final results of a brow lift procedure will become apparent once the swelling and bruising have resolved, typically within a few weeks to several months. The results of a brow lift are long-lasting, but the ageing process will continue and may result in some subtle changes over time.

You will have to wear a compression garment to help reduce swelling. Ensure that you avoid any strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for three weeks following the brow lift. You may need to take up to one week off work. However, this will vary from person to person.

Brow lift surgery is a commonly performed procedure at Centre for Surgery. At your consultation, your surgeon will discuss the potential risks and complications associated with the brow lift procedure.

Risks and Complications of a Brow Lift Procedure:

Anaesthesia Complications

As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of complications from the anaesthesia used during a brow lift. These may include allergic reactions, breathing problems, or changes in heart rate or blood pressure. These risks can be reduced by carefully selecting a qualified and experienced anaesthetist.

Infection

Infection is a risk with any surgical procedure, and the risk can be reduced by carefully following the surgeon’s instructions for wound care and taking antibiotics as directed.

Bleeding

Bleeding is a risk after any surgical procedure, and the risk can be reduced by avoiding certain medications before the procedure and carefully following the surgeon’s instructions for wound care.

Nerve Injury

There is a risk of injury to the nerves that control the forehead and eyebrows, which can result in changes in muscle function or sensation in the area.

Scarring

Scarring is a risk with any surgical procedure, and the risk can be reduced by carefully following the surgeon’s instructions for wound care and avoiding exposure to sun and other sources of UV radiation.

Asymmetry:

Asymmetry is a risk after any surgical procedure, and the risk can be reduced by carefully selecting a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon and discussing the desired outcome and expectations in detail.

Poor Healing

Poor healing is a risk after any surgical procedure, and the risk can be reduced by carefully following the surgeon’s instructions for wound care and avoiding exposure to sun and other sources of UV radiation.

Need for Revision Surgery

Revision surgery may be necessary to correct any complications or unsatisfactory results from a brow lift procedure.

Several factors will determine the overall cost of your brow lift procedure, and the final quotation will be given after your face-to-face consultation with your specialist plastic surgeon.

• Browlift alone or browlift combined with blepharoplasty or other facial rejuvenation procedure
• Local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic
• Primary or revision brow lift

Why not call 0207 993 4849 and speak to one of our expert patient coordinators, who may be able to give you a rough costing before having a consultation for a brow lift procedure.

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Always remember that price should never be the determining factor when it comes to choosing your provider. We feel that safety and quality of service should be your number one priority and instil in you the confidence that our team will look after you before, during and after your procedure to the best of their ability.

Specialist Facial Plastic Surgeons