Aging and the effects of stress and exhaustion can cause lines and furrows to appear in the forehead and brow. A brow lift can address the aging forehead by reshaping and gently lifting the eyebrows to create a more youthful, rested appearance. Commonly referred to as a forehead lift, this procedure can also reduce frown lines. Drs. J. David Kriet and Clinton D. Humphrey commonly use an endoscopic technique when performing brow lift surgery, which requires minimal incisions and little downtime. This can allow you to return to your normal routine quickly with results that look beautiful and natural.
What is a Brow Lift?
Brow lift surgery is designed to reduce an angry, tired, or aged appearance caused by a heavy or drooping brow. The procedure can tighten loose or sagging skin and musculature on the forehead while restoring the brow to a more refreshed, youthful positioning. Depending on your concerns, a brow lift can generally:
- Reduce sagging brows that may be hooding the upper eyelids
- Minimize horizontal creases on the forehead
- Improve frown lines between the eyebrows
- Achieve a brighter, more refreshed look
Often a brow lift is all that is needed to make our patients look years younger; however, this procedure can be combined with eyelid surgery or a traditional facelift for a more complete aesthetic makeover. If desired, our facial plastic surgeons can evaluate your concerns and give you more insight into whether you would benefit from combining your brow lift with other procedures.
Who is a Candidate for Brow Lift Surgery?
Patients interested in a brow lift should wish to improve drooping brows, frown lines, and/or forehead creases with a long-lasting surgical solution. Those who may look perpetually stressed, angry, or aged due to loose skin and musculature can also benefit from brow lift surgery. Furthermore, any cosmetic procedure necessitates good physical health to withstand the recovery process and realistic expectations about what can be achieved. Our facial plastic surgeons will assess your concerns and review your medical history to help ensure a brow lift is an ideal procedure to achieve your goals.
How Is the Brow Lift Procedure Performed?
Brow lift surgery is usually an outpatient procedure performed under either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. There are a variety of techniques that can be utilized when performing a brow lift, and our facial plastic surgeons tailor the surgical approach for each patient’s needs.
Endoscopic Brow Lift
The endoscopic brow lift is the most commonly performed lift technique and is appropriate for most women. This version of the brow lift procedure can typically result in less swelling and downtime after surgery, as well as a shorter incision scar. With the endoscopic approach, small incisions are hidden within the hairline and the procedure is facilitated by the use of high-resolution telescopes.
Trichophytic Brow Lift
The trichophytic brow lift is ideally suited for women with a high hairline and a tall forehead. This procedure avoids shifting the hairline higher by using a wavy incision hidden at the hairline/forehead junction. In some cases, our surgeons can even move the hairline forward into a more youthful position.
Mid-Forehead Brow Lift
In some men, a third approach is recommended. This technique, the mid-forehead brow lift, is performed with incisions hidden in the natural forehead lines and has an extremely short recovery. Drs. Kriet and Humphrey are well versed in all brow lift procedures and will customize the technique to your own anatomy and ultimate aesthetic goals.
What is Recovery From a Brow Lift Like?
After surgery, you should be able to return home on the same day as your procedure to begin the recovery process. Loose wrappings or bandages may be placed around your head to minimize swelling and bruising after a brow lift. Dr. Kriet or Dr. Humphrey will give you detailed post-operative instructions on how long bandages should be worn, as well as how to properly clean and take care of your incisions. Plenty of rest is essential during the healing process and you may be instructed to sleep with your head elevated above your heart.
Swelling, bruising, and tenderness should subside as recovery progresses, and most patients are able to manage discomfort with oral pain medications. You should be able to return to work and normal activities within one to two weeks, although exercise and anything strenuous should be avoided for at least four to six weeks.
How Much Does a Brow Lift Cost?
While the total cost of a brow lift varies according to the needs and goals of each patient, statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons report that the average surgical fee for the procedure is $3,600. This approximation does not include other fees associated with cosmetic surgery, such as the cost of anesthesia, the operating room, or post-operative care. Our patient care coordinator will be able to provide you with a cost estimate unique to your specific treatment plan after an initial consultation. If desired, financing through CommerceCare™ is accepted at our practice for qualified patients and a member of our office would be happy to discuss the application process with you. This can be a useful payment option if you prefer to pay for a brow lift in low monthly installments rather than a lump sum. If you have any questions about the cost of brow lift surgery, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
To find out if you are a candidate for brow (forehead) lift, contact the practice of Dr. J. David Kriet and Clinton D. Humphrey to schedule a consultation.