When you glance in the mirror, are you frustrated by heaviness around the brow or wrinkling across the forehead? Perhaps you’ve gone as far as using your fingers to manually draw up your brows. (Yeah, that’s a thing.)
Whatever the case, that heavy brow can leave you looking much older than you truly are. It could even give others the impression that you’re tired, sad, or even angry.
You could significantly brighten your face and lighten that heaviness with a brow lift. Also known as a forehead lift, this procedure can fully refresh your appearance. There are considerations before a brow lift, however. Ask yourself the following four questions:
- How Will a Brow Lift Benefit Me?
Have you heard of the “11s”? It’s those deep vertical creases between the brows. A brow lift can smooth those, right along with any horizontal lines across your forehead and the crow’s feet that may have developed at the corners of your eyes. It will also reduce upper eyelid hooding by lifting the skin to reveal more of your eye.
Speaking of revealing more of the eye, if your sagging brow is obstructing your vision, a brow lift can even improve your sight. And by correcting such a heavy brow, you’ll present a less weary and more energetic appearance.
At the end of the day, many patients who have had a brow lift speak of increased self-esteem and confidence in social situations. And this may be a crucial consideration for you.
- What Is the Procedure?
Before a brow lift procedure, you’ll consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Depending on your specific situation and aesthetic goals, he or she will recommend one of three different types of eyebrow lifts.
If you’ve noticed some heaviness in your brow that hasn’t gotten too serious, your surgeon will likely recommend an endoscopic brow lift. With this minimally invasive technique, a series of small incisions is performed, and endoscopic cameras are utilized to provide detailed visualization. With this procedure, tissue is suspended rather than removed.
For more serious sagging and a low hairline, a coronal brow lift is ideal. In this procedure, the incision extends from above your ear over to the opposite ear and is hidden by your hair. It delivers long-lasting results with a natural appearance.
In the event that you have a high hairline, a pretrichial brow lift will, contrary to its name, actually lower your hairline while providing a fuller look to your hair. The carefully designed incision is inconspicuous as it follows your hairline on its natural course.
In all cases, a brow lift will tighten loose skin of the forehead, reduce wrinkling, and raise drooping brows. In some cases, part of the muscle that’s responsible for frown lines between the brows is removed or trimmed.
- Will Recovery Take Long?
No two patients will have the same recovery experience. And the length of time it takes will depend on the type of procedure you have and your specific health. Generally speaking, however, most patients return to work and other activities in 7-10 days.
Regardless of the brow lift, you can expect some swelling and bruising after the surgery. These will be minimal within a week. Pain and discomfort are also normal, with endoscopic brow lifts patients experiencing the least amount of pain because of the smaller incisions.
- Am I a Good Candidate for a Brow Lift?
Remember that a brow lift is a surgical procedure that requires anesthesia. So you’ll need to be a non-smoker (or quit for at least six weeks) and in overall good health to avoid complications.
It’s also important to have realistic expectations. A brow lift can go a long way in smoothing fine lines and wrinkles while giving you a more youthful and alert appearance. But it’s not going to turn back the hands of time.
Ultimately, you and your board-certified plastic surgeon will determine whether you are a good candidate for brow lift surgery.
Are You Thinking About a Brow Lift?
Now that you’ve run through the considerations before a brow lift, you may be ready to take the next step.
If so, contact us today.
Our highly skilled and experienced board-certified plastic surgeons will take the time to discuss your goals and needs to ensure that you have the best brow lift experience possible.