Also known as a forehead lift, a brow lift is a procedure performed to elevate and shape the brow and reduce signs of aging on the forehead. It may also treat deformities caused by trauma and facial paralysis. Dr. Trussler offers numerous brow lift techniques including non-invasive brow lifts with neuromodulators like BOTOX®, minimally invasive endoscopic brow lifts and multiple types of open brow lifts. Brow lifts can be performed in conjunction with other procedures, such as a facelift, to provide a balanced, natural appearance to the rejuvenated face.
What Are My Forehead Lift Options?
Dr. Trussler offers numerous brow lift procedures for both men and women of all ages. A consultation in his Austin, Texas office will enable patient’s to discuss their goals and learn what their options for forehead rejuvenation are.
Forehead and brow aging can be present as early as the twenties, especially if things such as frown lines and droopy brow lines run in the family. Younger patients may be more interested in non-invasive midface procedures such as:
- Neuromodulators like BOTOX®, which is done in the office and can last about three months.
Longer Lasting Brow Lift Options Include:
Endoscopic Brow Lift
Endoscopic brow lift which is performed through small incisions in the hairline.
Open Brow Lift
Open brow lift performed through multiple types of incisions depending on hairline and hair type. Coronal, hairline and temporal brow lifts are the different incision types of open brow lifts. Direct brow lifts are typically offered only to the male patient and can be done in the office under local anesthesia.
Considerations
Brow lifts are ideal for shaping and naturally raising the eyebrow. It helps to open up the upper outer eyelid area. A brow lift can also smooth the forehead and eliminate wrinkles and lines in the lower and upper brow region. The degree and location of forehead aging, the presence of upper eyelid heaviness, the location of the hairline, hair quality, and the extent of brow descent all factor into the choice of brow lift procedure. Brow lifts are often performed in conjunction with upper-eyelid blepharoplasty to rejuvenate the area around the eyes. Non-invasive forehead procedures are typically in-office procedures with minimal recovery, though they are not permanent and the results may last for about 3 months. Brow lift procedures are ideally performed on healthy patients with defined and realistic goals that can be met with the recommended technique.
Expectations
A brow lift restores a youthful appearance to the forehead region by elevating and shaping the brow and smoothing forehead lines. Each brow lift procedure performed by Dr. Trussler can achieve a natural rejuvenated look without the need to undergo a full facelift. A good candidate for a brow lift procedure does have signs of early aging in the forehead area with a heavy outer brow area and noticeable forehead lines. Realistic expectations are very important in the brow lift patient with defined goals in rejuvenating their forehead area. Dr. Trussler will listen to your goals and evaluate your forehead in order to determine the brow lift procedure that is right for you.
Surgery
The brow lift procedure takes about 1 to 2 hours and is usually performed under general anesthesia or deep sedation in the operating room. Non-invasive midface procedures such as BOTOX® injections can be performed in the office with no downtime. A brow lift begins with incisions placed in or behind the hairline depending on what type of brow lift is performed. Access to the undersurface of the forehead allows the forehead soft tissue to be elevated and supported as one unit, with the forehead skin and central frown muscles released through the same incision. The forehead is shaped and secured in a higher position with internal sutures. The incisions are closed with deeper absorbable sutures and a combination of dissolvable and permanent sutures, and staples in the scalp.
The endoscopic brow lift is performed through 3 to 5 incisions behind the hairline. The central forehead is accessed and elevated with the use of a small camera and longer instruments with the advantage of limiting the need for a single longer incision. Internal stitches are used to secure the brow in a higher, more youthful position.
After Care & Recovery
After a brow lift or endoscopic brow lift, patients will usually need about a week off from work and other regular activities. There will likely be mild bruising and swelling for the first few days, which can be relieved with cold compresses to the forehead and eyes, as well as an elevation of the head. Any operation around the eye can lead to swelling and irritation. This is alleviated with gel ice masks and hydrating eye drops for the first week after the operation. Dr. Trussler will provide you with his full post-operative instructions for a brow lift during the initial consultation. Any stitches and/or staples will be removed in the first week.
Results from a brow lift are immediate though fully appreciated after about 3 weeks once swelling and bruising have subsided. Non-invasive forehead procedures do have results in a 2 to 4 days but can carry the potential for bruising. Dr. Trussler does recommend similar cold compresses and ice packs for these procedures as well.
Publication
- Trussler, AP, Stephen, P, Hatef, DA, Schaverian, M, Meade, R, Barton, FE. The Frontal Branch of the Facial Nerve across the Zygomatic Arch: Anatomical Relevance of the High SMAS Technique. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010 Apr; 125(4): 1221-1229.
Whether you have a question or would like to set up a brow lift consultation, Dr. Trussler and his staff are here to help. Please fill out our contact form, or call our Austin office at 512-450-1077 to schedule an appointment. Start your journey to not only looking, but feeling better today!
