Brow Lift

The shape and position of the eyebrows dramatically impact the way our face looks. As one ages, the position of our eyebrows can change as wrinkles, fine lines, and saggy or puffy skin impacts the shape of your face, changes your facial expressions, and leaves you feeling less confident. In many cases, a brow lift, which may also be referred to as a forehead lift, is a good option to restore a smooth, more youthful appearance. At Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery – a division of U.S. Dermatology Partners, our skilled team is happy to offer this surgical option. You can learn more about brow lift surgery on this page or by contacting Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.

What Is a Brow Lift?

Brow lifts are typically recommended for people who are 35 years of age or older as the lowering of the brow line is often a result of aging. However, there are cases where people are genetically predisposed to have droopy skin around the eyes or a lower brow line, and they may benefit from this procedure at a younger age. A brow lift is a cosmetic procedure that improves the appearance of the face.

While the goal of the brow lift surgery is the same, there are three different versions:

• Open Brow Lift – This is an original version of the procedure and remains very popular and effective. It’s called an open brow lift because the skin is actually pulled back to reveal the tissues and muscle beneath, so they can be adjusted.
• Endoscopic Brow Lift – Rather than performing the brow lift procedure through an open incision, the endoscopic brow lift utilizes cameras inserted into a small opening to guide the adjustment of the muscles and tissues. This minimizes the risk of scarring and reduces healing time compared with the open brow lift.
• Forehead Shortening – For some, the brow looks low because the forehead is long, or the hairline is set too far back. In these situations, it may be beneficial to move the hairline down as well as lift the brow to create a shorter, more aesthetically pleasing forehead.

Benefits of Brow Lifts

If you want to smooth your skin, lift your eyes, and improve your overall appearance, a brow lift may be for you.

Some of the many benefits of this cosmetic surgery procedure include:

• Reducing the appearance of forehead and brow line wrinkles
• Renewing the eyebrow arch
• Elevating the brow line to its natural position
• Minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes
• Eliminating excess skin

Recovery After Brow Lifts

Brow lift recovery will vary slightly based on the type of brow lift received. To minimize bruising and swelling, the forehead may be taped or bandaged around the surgical site. Additionally, a drain may be placed to remove fluids and blood around the incision sites that may accumulate under the skin. Once the original bandaging is placed, your surgeon will provide aftercare instructions that should be followed throughout healing. In 10-14 days, any stitches will be removed. After the first two weeks, you can return to work in most cases. After a month, you can resume more of your regular routine, including light exercise with your surgeon’s approval. Healing will continue for a few months after brow lift surgery.

Risks Associated with Brow Lifts

When performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, brow lifts are a relatively low-risk procedure, but all surgical procedures do come with associated risks.

Some of the common risks include:

• Bleeding
• Swelling
• Numbness
• Pain
• Asymmetry
• Need for revision surgery to achieve desired results
• Infection