Introduction:
Wrinkles around the forehead and eyebrow contribute to the unpleasant appearance and make the person look much older. In addition, they can alter facial expressions and make an individual look worried or angry. With advancing age, wrinkles start appearing, and the skin begins to loosen its elasticity, resulting in sagging skin.
The signs of aging in these areas are prominent and can be easily noticed by others. Therefore, correcting sagging brows is essential in giving a youthful and rejuvenated appearance. Brow lift surgery is an excellent treatment option for sagging or furrowed brows.
What Is a Brow Lift?
A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift or eyebrow lift, is a cosmetic surgery that reduces the signs of aging in the forehead area by lifting the sagging eyebrows. Sagging brows gives an older and tired appearance to the face. A brow lift surgery removes the extra skin, which causes the sagging, and repositions it to provide a fresh, rejuvenated, and younger look.
In addition, in a brow lift, the eyebrows are raised to reduce the visibility of wrinkles and frown lines as well as to lift sagging skin. This surgery gives a refreshed and rejuvenated look to the individuals.
What Does a Brow Lift Do?
Brow lift surgery is helpful in correcting the following conditions:
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For treating sagging or severely furrowed brows that make an individual look worried or angry.
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For the reduction of frown lines all over the forehead and on the bridge of the nose.
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To correct the tired looks caused due to droopy brows. It is done by raising the eyebrows to a more active and youthful position. This correction makes the eye look brighter and more alert.
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For the correction of aging signs on the forehead.
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For correcting the facial expression that makes an individual look constantly worried or angry. Therefore, boosting self-confidence.
How Is a Brow Lift performed?
Brow lift surgery is done under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. After the anesthesia, the surgeon creates an incision or cut for the removal and repositioning of extra skin. Depending on the incision, brow lifts can be performed in different ways, which are described below:
1. Endoscopic Brow Lift:
This type of brow lift does not require bigger cuts or incisions and is hence less invasive. The surgeon creates several short incisions behind the hairline. After that, an instrument called an endoscope is inserted into the opening created by the cut or incision. An endoscope is a long and flexible tube (also known as a fibrescope) with a lens at one end and a video camera at the other. The end with the lens is placed into the patient, and a television monitor allows the surgeon to see the tissues below the skin. The surgeon then cuts the excess skin, fat, and tissues, repositions the muscles, and uplifts the forehead tissues.
2. Temporal or Limited Incision Brow Lift:
A temporal brow lift is more invasive than an endoscopic brow lift as it requires longer cuts or incisions. Incisions or cuts are created above the temples (area on the side of the head, between the forehead and the ear, just behind the eye) and behind the hairline. The surgeon will uplift and rearrange the tissues of the outer brow region using these incisions.
In addition, this type of brow lift is often done with eyelid surgery to uplift the areas between the eyebrows and correct the frown lines. These two surgeries, when done in conjunction, enhance the appearance of the forehead.
3. Classic or Coronal Brow Lift:
This type is the traditional or standard method of brow lift. In this type of surgery, the surgeon creates an extended cut or incision over the forehead around the hairline or in the forehead crease. The skin is removed from the tissues, and extra skin and fat are removed. The rest of the skin is then pulled down and repositioned to create a youthful appearance on the brows. The incisions are closed with stitches.
What to Expect After a Brow Lift?
Immediately after a brow lift surgery, the following conditions can be expected:
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Swelling.
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Pain.
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Numbness.
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A drainage tube will be placed in the wound for the prevention of fluid build-up.
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Bandages will be applied to the target areas.
What Are the Risks of Brow Lift?
As brow lift is a surgical procedure and requires cuts and stitches, some rare risks are associated, which are listed below:
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Infection.
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Prolonged numbness of the brow or forehead.
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Hair loss near the wound.
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Scarring.
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Asymmetrical eyebrows.
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Accumulation of fluids.
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Impaired healing of the wound.
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Prolonged pain.
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Injury to the facial nerve results in facial paralysis.
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Need for another surgery to treat complications.
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Dry or itchy eyes.
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Bleeding.
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Rarely some blood clots (deep venous thrombosis) can develop, affecting the lungs (pulmonary thrombosis). This complication can result in chest pain and shortness of breath.
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Loss of skin.
How Long Does It Take to Recover From Brow Lift?
It takes ten to 14 days for the wound to heal initially. Stitches are opened depending on the healing condition. Generally, patients can return to their jobs after 10 to 14 days of the surgery. However, the complete recovery will take several months.
When Are the Results of a Brow Lift Visible?
The patients will notice changes in their brows and forehead immediately after the brow lift surgery. However, the complete results will be visible after a few months. The results can be maintained for a longer duration by adopting a healthy lifestyle and strict sun protection throughout life after the surgery.
Conclusion:
A brow lift surgery can help an individual look younger by correcting a drooping brow; however, the aging process will still occur. This surgery can give scars, but they will be less visible with time. The brow lift surgery can be combined with other anti-aging cosmetic surgeries like eyelid lifts, facelifts, and neck lifts to improve the results.
