A brow lift is a medical term and a procedure which refers to lifting or raising the brow or forehead. Also known as forehead rejuvenation or forehead lift, it involves raising the forehead’s soft tissues and skin to improve the forehead appearance. People who can have this procedure include those with sagging or uneven brows and those who don’t like their foreheads shape. To some people, for the process to be effective, it has to be done concurrently with other procedures, including facelift and eye surgery, to achieve a well-aligned face.
Why should it be done? Besides having sagging brows, which leads to sagging eyelids, older adults perform this procedure to uplift the brows that go down due to old age. When aging, the soft tissues and skin often lose elasticity, which shortens the distance between eyebrows and the eyelashes. Are there risks involved? If done well, there are minimal risks for this process. If you are willing to have this procedure, you must follow the required processes and follow the set guidelines.
How to Prep for the Process
First, you need to visit a plastic surgeon who does the brow lift to have your brow and other conditions accessed before planning for the due date. According to Dr. Mark Glasgold, a top New Jersey brow lift surgeon, your chosen surgeon will conduct the below procedures:
- Medical History Review: the surgeon will have to know your current and previous medical history and know any underlying conditions and if fit for the lift. You have to disclose to the doctor about the current medication and any medical procedure and medication you are allergic to.
- Physical Examination: the doctor will have to measure and examine your face to know if it fits the brow lifts procedure. The test will involve feeling the face and having your face checked when eyes are closed and open to ensure the procedure works right in all scenarios.
- Expectations: you will have to state your expectations, and the doctor will advise on your expectations and the likely result of the process. The benefits and risks will be mentioned to you to decide to take the process.
Steps for a Successful BrowLift
The whole process takes approximately two hours but might be longer depending on your brow and other additional procedures. These steps include the below:
Step 1: Anesthesia: general anesthesia or sedation intravenous will get administered to the patient to numb the part and make the procedure painless. The numbness ensures you are comfortable during the whole process.
Step 2: The Incision: This is where the main procedure brow lift procedure gets carried. The incision can be done in three steps, as explained below:
- Endoscopic Brow Lift: the surgeon makes some cuts behind the hairline and then inserts a long tube with mounted light and camera (endoscope) to view the tissues and underlying muscles on the brow. With another incision, the surgeon will uplift the tissues and secure them with sutures or other medical techniques before closing the incisions with small clips or stitches.
- Coronal Brow Lift: In this process, the surgeon will make an incision at the top of the head, behind the hairline, usually done at the top of the head or from ear to ear, and then lifts the forehead to the new position by overlapping the front scalp with the hind scalp. The overlapped scalp then gets trimmed off, and the remaining one sewn together. The process is fit for patients with high hairlines, thin hair, and those at risk of losing their hair.
- Hairline Brow lift: with this process, the surgeon carrying the procedure will incise the top of the forehead and where your hairline begins. They will then remove the skin and tissues, leaving the scalp, to avoid pulling the hairline back. The process is for individuals with high receding hairline but might leave a visible scar.
Step 3: Closing the Incisions: Depending on the cut, your skin, and availability, your incision can be closed through absorbable or removable sutures, special clips, and skin adhesives.
The Recovery Process
After the procedure gets completed successfully, the surgeon may wrap your head, or the forehead taped to minimize bruises and avoid swelling. Some of the general instructions include caring for the cut part, safety precautions, and when to revisit the surgeon. The surgeon will also give medications that are taken orally or applied to the affected part. Things to avoid include participating in vigorous activities and bathing or applying ice on the face until it heals.
How long does it take for the Brow lift to recover? The wounds might heal from 10 to 14 days, depending on several factors. If sculptures and clips were used to close the skin, removal could be at this time, and you can resume your regular duties. The full recovery process might take several months, and in between, you might notice swelling dissipating and incision lines fading. To ensure the whole process ends well, you must follow the surgeon’s instructions and medication carefully. In case of any adverse side effects, notify the hospital immediately.
Expected Results after the Brow Lift
Immediately after the procedure is complete, you will notice the positive changes to your brow and the face. The results will be more pronounced after the swelling is gone and the incisions fade away. The more you recover, the more you will notice the changes. Full results are after several months of undergoing the healing process. However, you need to take care of the incised part and avoid chemicals or impact that may damage your new look. You should avoid sun damage, and you must practice a healthy lifestyle to ensure the lift results are long-lasting.
Conclusion
Besides cosmetic surgery, a brow lift is one of the sure processes to change your looks for the better. If done well, there is a guarantee that you’ll achieve the wanted look after some months of undergoing the healing process. If you have sagging brows, sagging eyelids, and other facial creases or your aging face looks more wrinkled than expected, it’s advisable to take this procedure. You only need to look for a competent surgeon, prepare yourself, undergo the procedure, and wait to recover to get the desired look.
