Brow Lift – Patient Info

The brow lift is a procedure that is commonly executed in combination with a facelift, although the brow lift can be executed on its own as well. To learn more about this specific facelift procedure, please read the general information for patients at the Dr Lanzer Clinic below.

What Does a Brow Lift Do?

A brow lift provides similar effects as a facelift, only the procedure is focussed on the brows and forehead opposed to the middle and lower part of the face. It is commonly chosen in combination with a facelift though, although it is no requirement to benefit from the aesthetic improvements a facelift can provide.

Having a brow lift may reverse the effects of sagging brows and make the underlying tissues of your forehead tighter. It could provide you with a more youthful upper part of the face, although results may vary on the type of brow lift procedure you are having.

When Should Patients Consider This?

The brow lift can be a good surgical option for patients suffering from a sagging or low eyebrow position, which can create a sad or grumpy appearance. The patient could also be suffering from deep horizontal lines in the forehead, frown lines between the eyebrows or excess tissue hanging over the eyes.

By choosing this, the cosmetic surgeon can reposition a low or sagging brow. The cosmetic surgeon will also lift the position of your eyebrows, giving you a more youthful appearance and counteracting the so-called “sad” or “grumpy” look.

Please note that only experienced board-certified cosmetic surgeons can determine if a brow lift will help you achieve your aesthetic goals. The surgeon in question must also be experienced in various techniques, as the technique used during the surgery can have a serious impact on the outcome of your procedure.

How Do I Know If I Am a Good Candidate?

As stated earlier, only a board certified cosmetic surgeon will be able to determine if a brow lift will improve the aesthetics of your face. Even though patients can decide to book an appointment for a brow lift if they struggle with sagging brows, the end decision to go ahead or not always lies with the surgeon.

How Is the Brow Lift Executed?

Before we discuss the details of a brow lift, we need to mention that there are currently three techniques that could be used to execute a brow lift.

The Open Brow Lift

An open brow lift is executed by making a long incision across the length of the forehead; this is done around the hairline or in one of the forehead creases, so the incision remains somewhat hidden once the area has healed.

To get access to the treatment area, the surgeon will lift the skin and pull it away from the underlying tissues that need to be altered. Then, the surgeon can loosen the muscles and remove fat where necessary. He may also remove excess skin caused by the removal of the fat or loosening of the muscles. When the surgeon has loosened muscles, and removed fat, the surgeon can pull the remaining skin down and fasten the brows in their new location with the help of stitches.

The Endoscopic Brow Lift

During an endoscopic brow lift, the surgeon will gain access to the treatment area by inserting a long thin tube through several incisions in the scalp. The thin tube is characterised by a light source and a video camera at the end of the tube, which are needed for the surgeon to gain visual access underneath the skin of the forehead.

The Limited Incision Brow Lift

A limited incision brow lift could be described as a mixture of the endoscopic brow lift and the open brow lift. During a limited incision procedure, the surgeon makes a limited amount of smaller incisions, since the coronal technique is used to lift the outer part of the eyebrows. However, the endoscope is not used during this procedure.

The incisions needed for a limited incision brow lift are usually made in the temporal hairline, so in most cases, scarring resulting from the procedure can remain hidden. Nevertheless, patients should still consider the risk of having a visible scar after any type of surgical procedure.

While some parts of the brows can be lifted with a limited incision brow lift, the technique does not provide access to the middle part of the eyebrow. Still, the technique can be used in patients who only require the reduction of wrinkles in the corner of the eyes.

What Brow Lift Technique Will Be Used for My Procedure?

The technique used during your this procedure will depend on certain factors; this includes your dominant facial features and your aesthetic goals. Consequently, it is important to discuss your expectations and desired aesthetic goals with your surgeon before the procedure takes place.

What Should I Ask My Surgeon Before the Procedure?

Like all other surgical procedures, there are certain questions you must ask your surgeon before your procedure starts. For example, always ask your surgeon how complications are handled and what will happen if the aesthetic outcome of the procedure does not meet what was discussed during previous appointments. It is also important to ask about your recovery process, since looking after the treatment area at home may prevent certain complications.

Conclusion

When you are considering getting this procedure, make sure you always do some research into the surgeon who will be executing the procedure and find some before and after photographs of such a procedure to determine the results you could expect. However, please note that results may vary from patient to patient, so the result you see on an after photograph is not necessarily the result you will obtain.

For more information about the brow lift, or to find out if you are eligible for this procedure, please contact our clinic today for an appointment.