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Brow Lift
A Brow Lift, or forehead lift is a procedure that restores a more youthful, refreshed look to the area above the eyes. The procedure corrects drooping brows and improves the horizontal lines and furrows that can make a person appear angry, sad or tired.
In a forehead lift, the muscles and tissues that cause the furrowing or drooping are altered, or removed, to smooth the forehead, raise the eyebrows and minimize frown lines. Dr. Jain may use the conventional surgical method, in which the incision is hidden just behind the hairline; or it may be performed with the use of an endoscope, which will allow the procedure to be performed with minimal incisions. Both techniques yield similar results -- smoother forehead skin and a more animated appearance.
Brow Lift - The Surgery
Dr. Jain will help you decide which surgical approach will best achieve your cosmetic goals: the classic or "open" method, or the endoscopic method. Make sure you understand the technique that Dr. Jain recommends and why he feels it is best for you.
The classic brow lift: For most patients, a coronal incision will be used, which follows a headphone-like pattern starting at ear level and running across the top of the forehead to the other side of the head. The incision is typically made well behind the hairline so any potential scarring will not be visible.
If you have thinning hair or are balding, Dr. Jain may recommend a mid-scalp incision so the resulting scar follows the natural junction of two bones in your skull and is less conspicuous.
Working through the incision, the skin of the forehead is carefully lifted so that the underlying tissue can be removed and the muscles of the forehead can be altered or released. The eyebrows may also be elevated and excess skin at the incision point will be trimmed away to help create a smoother, more youthful appearance.
The Endoscopic Brow Lift: Three, four or five short scalp incisions will be made, each less than one inch in length. An endoscope, which is a pencil-like camera device connected to a television monitor, is inserted through one of the incisions, allowing Dr. Jain to have a clear view of the muscles and tissues beneath the skin. The forehead skin is then lifted and the muscles and underlying tissues are removed or altered to produce a smoother appearance. The eyebrows may also be lifted and secured into their higher position by sutures beneath the skin's surface or by temporary fixation screws placed behind the hairline.
Getting Back to Normal
Although you should be up and about in a day or two, plan on taking it easy for at least the first week after surgery. You should be able to shower and shampoo your hair within two days, or as soon as the bandage is removed. Most patients are back to work or school in a week to 10 days and endoscopic patients may feel ready to return even sooner.
Most of the visible signs of surgery should fade completely within about three weeks. Minor swelling and bruising can be concealed with special camouflage makeup. You may feel a bit tired and let down at first, but your energy level will increase as you begin to look and feel better.
Your New Look
Often, patients don't realize how much their sagging forehead contributed to the signs of aging until they see how much younger and more rested they appear after the lift. Although a forehead lift does not stop the clock, it can minimize the appearance of aging for years. As time passes, many patients choose to repeat the procedure.
See before and after pictures here
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