All those years of raising the eyebrows in astonishment, scrunching the brows together in a scowl, or just the constant assault of gravity can take a toll on a person’s forehead. As the soft tissues of the forehead lose their strength with age, the natural effects of gravity cause the brows to migrate downward, below the edge of the forehead bone, to encroach on the upper eyelids. This gives the tired or aged appearance that so many patients complain of. In essence, patient face two problems: 1) skin changes which result in wrinkles and 2) the change in position of the eyebrows.
By understanding the causes, patients can more easily understand the rationale for treatment recommendations. The first line of treatment for the forehead is with “injectables”: either fillers such as Restylane and Collagen, or muscle paralyzers like Botox. The “fillers” act by puffing out the skin at the site of the wrinkle. Botox, on the other hand, paralyzes the underlying muscles preventing them from squeezing or furrowing the skin. Both groups offer only temporary solutions as they wear off within a few months. A forehead lift or brow lift is a more permanent solution.
What is a Forhead/Brow lift?
A plastic surgeon who performs a forehead or brow lift usually incorporates removing the muscles causing the wrinkles and smoothing or stretching the affected skin. Drooping of the eyebrows is a consequence of gravity. Treatment is directed at restoring the eyebrows to their natural position just above the boney rim of the eyes. There are several techniques to accomplish this goal but all require pulling upward on the forehead soft tissues. A plastic surgeon can accomplish this by performing a standard forehead lift with incisions well camouflaged in the scalp hair or with an endoscopic forehead lift. With this procedure, Dr. Lent will correct drooping brows and improve the horizontal lines and furrows on the forehead.
The Forehead Lift: Post-Surgery
Plastic surgeons will almost always perform a forehead lift under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Recuperation typically lasts 7 to 14 days. Patients are required to avoid all exercise, heavy lifting, bending over or other stressful activities for two weeks after the procedure.
Forehead/brow lifts are generally considered to be safe procedures. However, like all medical treatments, there is some risk. Risks include bleeding, infection, muscle paralysis, skin damage and the risks of anesthesia. As a board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Lent will take every precaution to help avoid or minimize risk.
Forehead lifts are an excellent way to restore an alert, well-rested appearance, but they may be just one component to an overall plan to improve the appearance of one’s face. You may want to consider laser eyelid surgery to improve the appearance of their eyes, a facelift to restore a youthful appearance to the lower face and neck, or laser skin resurfacing to eliminate fine wrinkles. Los Angeles plastic surgeon, Dr. Warren Lent, has performed thousands of these procedures with great success. To best understand all of your options or to find out more information about the forehead/brow lift, costs, or to schedule a full consultation, please contact us at:
150 North Robertson Blvd. Suite 140
Beverly Hills, Ca 90211