Forehead Lift
A forehead lift supports the forehead and raises the brow to elevate the heavy, depressed brows form the upper eyelid area. Droopy brows often are the cause of the hooding or the appearance of excess skin at the outer corners of the eye.
Droopy brows may also often cause forehead and facial strain as individuals with this will often use their forehead muscles throughout the day to elevate the brows and prevent them from interfering with their visual field. Headaches, tension and fatigue may be present.
Brows may be supported by a wide variety of methods. These have included large incisions on the scalp or forehead, but now brows are typically elevated with tiny incisions in the hair to raise the brows endoscopically. Also, brows may be raised using the same incision for the blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) so that only one small incision is made for the two procedures.
Forehead Lift FAQs
- Who would benefit from a forehead lift?
- Who is an ideal candidate for a forehead lift?
- What qualifications should my surgeon have?
- What are the new techniques in forehead lifts?
- What can I expect during my consultation for forehead lifting?
- What are some of the surgical facts I need to know?
- What are some of the postoperative concerns I may have?
- What are the risks of forehead lifting?
- Does insurance cover the cost of forehead lifts?
Who would benefit from a forehead lift?
An individual who notices droopy or heavy brows that create hooding at the outer corner of the eye is an excellent candidate. A woman’s brow should be above the bony orbital rim while a man’s brows should sit at this bony ridge. If the brows look droopy or the eyes appear more tired or the brows are palpated in a lower position when the eyes are closed, brow lifting is an ideal procedure.
Who is an ideal candidate for a forehead lift?
A woman or man who desires their brow are to be positioned in a more supported and elevated position above their eye area. Patients should be of good overall health and have realistic expectations.
What qualifications should my surgeon have?
Look for a surgeon who has extensive experience and knowledge in facial surgery. A surgeon should be able to perform brow lifting through a variety of techniques so that the patient has the best result. Dr. Andryk routinely performs forehead lifts through an endoscopic approach so that the patient has minimal, invisible incisions and a natural appearance. Also, she may use the upper eyelid incision to re-support the brows if it is indicated.
What are the new techniques in forehead lifts?
Minimally invasive surgery is the focus of Dr. Andryk’s practice. The newer technique of an endoscopic brow lift or a transblepharoplasty brow lift (using the upper eyelid incision) has resulted in nearly invisible incisions with healing. Further, the use of dissolvable clips or tacks (Endotine®) to support the brows endoscopically or with the blepharoplasty incision prevents the use of screws and the creation of unnaturally long scars or unwanted hair loss.
What can I expect during my consultation for forehead lifting?
Dr. Andryk will review where the current brow position is and how this relates to what an individual is seeing or is experiencing in terms of heaviness or fullness of the upper eye area. She will discuss the variety of options for lifting the forehead and brows and determine which technique is best for an individual. Also, she will discuss other potential eyelid treatments that compliment forehead lifts, including upper lid blepharoplasties and possibly eyelid ptosis repair.
What are some of the surgical facts I need to know?
A majority of the forehead lifts performed:
- are performed under IV sedation in a surgery center in 1-1/2 hours
- are day surgery
- leave little or no visible scarring when completed
- do not create hair loss
- keep the brows in the natural shape
What are some of the postoperative concerns I may have?
A majority of patients undergoing forehead lifts note:
- their forehead feels “tight” after surgery for a few days
- they may have a mild headache for 1-2 days after surgery, but not significant pain
- there is some bruising around the eyes which fades efficiently
- they can style their hair two days after surgery because hair incisions are not visible in the immediate post operative period
- most patients take one week off of work and can resume maximal activity two weeks after surgery
- select areas on the forehead may have temporary numbness
What are the risks of forehead lifting?
The risks may include excessive bruising or swelling, bleeding, numbness, nerve injury, asymmetry and the need for additional surgery.
Does insurance cover the cost of forehead lifts?
If the brow droops so low as to create a visual field obstruction, insurance may cover the cost of the surgery. Otherwise, brow lifts performed for purely cosmetic purposes are typically not covered under insurance.
Endoscopic Brow Lift Incisions
