The face usually portrays the first visible signs of aging. Gravity and changes in eyebrow shape and position results in the brow area looking aged. They are looking for ways to refresh and rejuvenate their appearance. There are many different variations of the Brow Lift or Forehead Lift procedure that improve the position and shape of the eyebrow and forehead areas. Ultimately, the Brow Lift will allow you to turn back the hands of time to better reflect your youthful spirit.
Most people age first around the eyes and brows. Reversing the signs of aging may start here before the need for
facelift surgery or may be done in conjunction with a facelift. Although brow lifts have been performed for many years, recent advancements in the field of plastic surgery have developed new ways of performing these procedures that lead to more longer-lasting results.
Any one or combination of the following conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for lift:
- sagging or low position of the eyebrows, creating a tired or sad appearance
- deep horizontal creases across the forehead)
- frown lines, or furrows, between the eyebrows and sometimes across the top of the nose
- crow’s feet
Today, two principle methods exist to lift the brows: an open “traditional” brow lift and an endoscopic brow lift. The surgical technique recommended by your surgeon will depend on the position of your brows, the degree of forehead skin excess, the depth of the forehead wrinkles and the position of your hairline.
In the open “traditional” method for brow lift, an incision is made across the top of the scalp, beginning above the ears and hidden within the hair. For patients with altered hairlines due to hair loss, incisions can be made immediately in front of the hairline. In both cases, the incisions are designed to be inconspicuous when completely healed. The incision allows the surgeon to partially remove or alter muscles causing unwanted frown lines, re-drape and remove excess forehead skin, smoothing the forehead, and elevate the brows into a more aesthetically appealing position.
Using the endoscopic technique for brow lift, five short incisions are made is select positions on the scalp. An endoscope (a pencil thin telescope with a camera attached to one end) is inserted into one incision and displays images on a television monitor. The surgeon then uses specially designed instruments to access the underlying forehead muscles and underlying structures through the other incision sites. The muscles and tissues are altered and the brows are then repositioned and secured through a variety of permanent or dissolving anchoring mechanisms. The skin incisions are then closed.
Recover is typically easy with patients only complaining of a slight headache. Bruising may be present around eyes for a week and some swelling for up to two weeks.
Case One
36 year old female, 5’7″ She was seen in both the Scottsdale and Mesa plastic surgery offices for evaluation of her face, neck and brow. She had liposuction to the her neck prior to seeing Dr. Wilson. The neck skin was loose and she had a small chin which made the neck and jawline indistinct and full. Her brow was heavy and low creating hooding to her eyes and making them look small. Although she was only 36 years old she required a full facelift (rhytidectomy) to remove the loose skin in the neck and jowl area. A small chin implant was used to shape the jawline. An endoscopic brow lift was done to remove the tired look, open the eyes and raise the brow to a more aesthetic position. No surgery was performed on the eyelids themselves just brow. After surgery she made and interesting observation. She said that she felt more confident and people listened to her ideas more than prior to her plastic surgery. That is quite a positive comment on facial plastic surgery.
Case Two
62 year old female, 5’4″ She was seen exclusively in the Mesa plastic surgery office for evaluation of her face, neck, brows, eyes and lips. She wanted people to quit asking her if she was angry when she wasn’t upset at all. She also wanted to look as good as she felt. She underwent a full facelift (rhytidectomy) and her own tissue was used to plump up her upper and lower lips. She had an endoscopic brow lift with resection of the corregator muscles (those that cause excessive frowning). She had upper and lower eyelids. Skin, muscle and fat removed from upper eyelids. Fat was remove from the lower eyelids through and incision inside the eyelid (tranconjuctival incision). Look closely at the lower lids especially the side view to see how the puffiness is gone. She no longer looks angry and she has sent many other people in to see Dr. Wilson.
Case Three
48 year old female. 4’11″. She was seen at the Scottsdale, Mesa, Phoenix plastic surgery office for evaluation of her face, brow and lips. She wanted to look more youthful, awake, and vibrant. She also wanted fuller lips. She underwent a full facelift or rhytidectomy, an endoscopic brow lift, and her own tissue was used to plump up her upper and lower lips. She was kind enough to let us use her photos. Most patients with this type of plastic surgery prefer not to let anyone know that anything was done and attribute their youthful looks to good genetics.
