A brow lift or forehead lift is a cosmetic procedure that raises the brows. It improves the appearance of the forehead, the brow and the area around the eyes by raising the soft tissue and skin of the forehead and brow.
There are various brow lift techniques and they achieve different results. They are explained below:
- Hair Line Brow Lift: an incision is made along the hair line to lift the brow. This does not raise the hair line or cause hair loss. It can be done in the office but some patients prefer to have it done at the surgery center under general anesthesia. The scar lies along the hair line and will show at first and may need to be covered with bangs. This is not a good brow lift for men because the incision will show as the hairline recedes.
- Lateral Brow Lift: incisions are made along the hair line in the temple to lift the outer third of the brow. This is often done with a facelift.
- Trans-Blepharoplasty Brow Lift: the eyebrow is lifted and arched through an upper eyelid incision. The results are temporary. This lift is used when men have an upper lid lift because it helps the procedure heal correctly.
- Traditional Brow Lift: an incision is made behind the hair line. This raises a low hair line. The hair can thin after the surgery in the area between the incision and brow.
Hair Line Brow Lift Recovery
Brow lifts can be done in the office with local anesthesia, light sedation by mouth and nitrous oxide. They can also be done at the out-patient surgery center under general anesthesia or in conjunction with a facelift.
After a brow lift it is normal to feel tired and have some pain as well as trouble sleeping for several days. There may be a drain for a 1 to 2 days. The brow and eyes will swell and the skin feels tight and itchy. There is usually bruising that is very noticeable but can be covered with make-up. If possible bangs can be cut to cover the incision line along the hair line. A shower is fine 2 days after surgery or one day after drains are removed. It is recommended that a full week of work be taken off. No exercise except walking for two weeks and no high impact work outs, weights or ball sports for six weeks.
Lateral Brow Lift Recovery
The lateral brow lift only lifts the outer brow. Recovery is easier than for a full brow lift. Drains are not needed. Bruising is usually minor but the eyes will swell for several days. No exercise except walking for one week and no ball sports for 4 weeks.