Forehead lift / Brow lift
The effects of aging are inevitable and often the brow and forehead area show the first signs. The skin begins to lose its elasticity and doesn’t spring back into place as quickly as it used to. Stress, exhaustion, smoking, exposure to sun, wind, and the pull of gravity all affect the face, resulting in frown lines, wrinkling across the forehead and an increasing heaviness of the eyebrows. Sagging eyebrows is a common condition that occurs in many people. This leads to you appearing as tired, angry, or sad when this is not how you actually feel. As a result, many people opt for a procedure known as the forehead lift also called Browlift.
Since wrinkles & sagging is caused by muscle weakness and skin laxity, tightening the skin and the muscles in that area helps. A brow lift or forehead lift is a surgical option that lifts the brow up to a more natural position on the forehead. When the brow is lifted, the strain on the skin is decreased & wrinkles are reduced. A brow lift is sometimes performed in conjunction with a facelift to provide a smoother overall look to the face. If a patient has skin overhanging the upper eyelids, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) may also be necessary.
Operation
Brow lift is a simple procedure performed under general anesthesia requiring about 2 – 3 days to stay in hospital. It usually involves incision within the hairline and the scars remain concealed. By raising the soft tissue and skin of your forehead and brow, the forehead skin is tightened and smoothened by this procedure giving a fresh youthful look to the face.
Result
A forehead/brow lift procedure will help achieve the following.
- More youthful & refreshed look improved facial appearance.
- Reduced wrinkle lines/creases on the forehead.
- Raised eyebrows in alert or more natural position.
- Lessening frown lines that develop between the eyes near the nose.
While a brow/forehead lift can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, it may not change your looks to match your ideal.
What about scars?
Scars are an inevitable part of any invasive surgery. Your surgeon will minimize scarring by locating incisions in easily hidden sites; scars will be along natural skin lines and crease. Scars usually fade with time and become barely noticeable. Please discuss scars with your surgeon.
Risks/ Complications
Modern surgery is generally safe but following potential complaints, risks and complications may occur; most of which will subside in 2 weeks’ time. These are largely driven by one’s healing abilities.
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Bruising, swelling & pain
- Nausea
- Numbness
- Itching around wound
In rare cases, as with all surgical procedures, revision surgery may be necessary to correct minor irregularities.
Care after treatment/ surgery
Immediately following surgery, part of your head/face will be wrapped in bandages to support the natural healing process, minimize bruising and swelling. Recovery in the hospital should be fast as your body will spend its energy on healing. Most forehead/brow lift patients are back to work in 10-14 days after surgery. Vigorous activities including gym, sex, etc. should be avoided in 1st 2 weeks.
After you are discharged from the hospital, you will see your surgeon in post-surgery follow up sessions. Any plastic or other surgery does not stop the biological aging process and your surgeon will recommend ways to keep your skin hydrated to have the effect of surgery lasted for long.
Costs
Costs for individual procedures will vary widely based on the procedure & hospital chosen for surgery but usually involves following.
- Surgeon’s fee
- Hospital facility charges
- Anesthesia fees
- Medical tests & medicines
- Any post-surgery garments
If revision surgery is needed in a rare case, your surgeon will not charge the Surgeon’s fee but other costs will have to be borne by the patient as applicable.