Brow Lift

The rejuvenation of these areas through a brow lift is a critical part in the restoration of facial harmony and the reestablishment of a more youthful appearance. During a brow lift, the muscles and tissues that cause drooping are removed or altered to smooth the forehead, raise the eyebrows and minimize frown lines.

Doctors Schenden and Elswick utilize only the safest and most advanced technology and techniques to achieve your aesthetic goals. Typically, the incision is hidden just behind the hairline, or a brow lift may be performed with the use of an endoscope, a viewing instrument that allows the procedure to be performed with minimal incisions. Both techniques achieve similar outcomes — smoother forehead skin and a more animated appearance.

GENERAL INFORMATION

In years past, antiaging surgical rejuvenation was focused mainly on the face and neck. However, today a brow lift has become a common procedure because it results in a natural-looking, youthful appearance.

A fantastic aesthetic outcome is our top priority. And, many times, patients prefer to couple a brow lift with other procedures of the face and neck. Your treatment plan is always customized to your individual needs — nothing we do is a cookie-cutter approach.  And our surgeons are known for both stunning results as well as compassion.

THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR BROW LIFT

A brow lift is most commonly performed in patients between the ages of 40-80 years old to minimize the visible effects of aging. However, it can also help adults of any age who have developed furrows or frown lines due to stress or muscle activity. Individuals with inherited conditions, such as a low, heavy brow or furrowed lines above the nose can achieve a more alert and refreshed look with this procedure, regardless of age.

A brow lift is often performed in conjunction with a facelift to provide a smoother overall look to the face. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) may also be performed at the same time as a brow lift, especially if a patient has significant skin overhang in the upper eyelids. In some cases, patients who believe they need upper-eyelid surgery find that a brow lift better meets their goals.

PLANNING YOUR SURGERY

For a better understanding of how a brow lift might change your appearance, look into a mirror and place the palms of your hands at the outer edges of your eyes, above your eyebrows. Gently draw the skin up to raise the brow and the forehead area. That is a rough indication of what a forehead lift would do for you. However, this will be discussed in depth at your consultation.

During your consultation, Dr. Schenden or Dr. Elswick will first evaluate your face, including the skin and underlying bone. They will discuss your goals for the surgery and ask you about certain medical conditions that could cause problems during or after the procedure, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood-clotting problems, or the tendency to develop large scars. Be sure to tell us if you have had previous facial surgery, if you smoke or if you take any drugs or medications — including aspirin or other drugs that affect clotting.

Our surgeons always ensure your questions are answered and your goals are understood ad patient expectations are vital to discuss at the consultation.

PREPARING FOR YOUR SURGERY

If your hair is very short, you may wish to let it grow out before surgery, so that it is long enough to hide the scars while they heal.

Detailed instructions on activity before and after surgery will be discussed with you, along with specific instructions to prepare for the procedure, including guidelines on diet, medications, activity level and smoking. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery and your recovery proceed more smoothly.

If you smoke, please plan to quit at least 4 to 6 weeks before the scheduled surgery otherwise an increased risk for infection and wound healing will occur. Avoid sun exposure before and after surgery, as this may interfere with your scar healing.

WHERE YOUR SURGERY WILL BE PERFORMED

Patient preference will be incorporated into this decision. We offer our patients the option of outpatient or inpatient surgery. The facilities we are privileged to operate from include Columbia Surgery Center (our private surgical suite) and William Beaumont Hospital of Troy, MI where Dr. Schenden is currently Chief of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Elswick has privileges at William Beaumont Hospital Troy and Royal Oak as well as McLaren Macomb Hospital.

TYPES OF ANESTHESIA

General Anesthesia or IV Sedation with local (twilight anesthesia) can be used for this procedure, depending on the surgeon and patient preference. 

THE SURGERY

Our surgeons will help you decide which surgical approach will best achieve your aesthetic goals: the minimal-invasive brow lift (open approach) or the endoscopic brow lift. It is important that you understand the technique and reasoning for the best option being recommended to you at the consultation.

The classic brow lift:

Before the operation begins, your hair will be tied with rubber bands on either side of the incision line. Your head will not be shaved, but hair that is growing directly in front of the incision line may need to be trimmed.

Special considerations will be taken for concealing the scar in patients who are balding or have thinning hair. In typical patients, 2-3 cm incisions are placed behind the hairline. Scars are placed in concealed locations within the hair and are not visible. The eyebrows are elevated and excess skin at the incision point will be trimmed away to help create a smoother, more youthful appearance. The incision is then closed with stitches.

The endoscopic brow lift:

This option requires the same preparation as the minimal-invasive open approach. Three to five short scalp incisions are made to access the brow muscles. An endoscope, which is a pencil-like camera device connected to a television monitor, is inserted through one of the incisions, allowing the surgeon to have a clear view of the muscles and tissues beneath the skin. Using another instrument inserted through a different incision, the forehead skin is lifted and the muscles and underlying tissues are removed or altered to produce a smoother appearance. The eyebrows may also be lifted and secured into their higher position.

A brow lift usually takes two to three hours, depending on complexity or combination with additional surgeries such as eyelid surgery.

AFTER YOUR SURGERY

During the immediate postoperative experience, numbness and temporary discomfort around the incision may occur but is easily controlled with prescription medications. Patients who are prone to headaches may be treated with an additional longer-acting local anesthesia during surgery as a preventive measure.

Head elevation for five to seven days following surgery will significantly assist in lowering your swelling during recovery. Swelling may also affect the cheeks and eyes, but this should begin to disappear within a week or two. The stitches are usually removed at 7 to 10 days post-surgery.

Detailed wound care and activity instructions will be discussed at your consultation. Normally you may return to work after 2 weeks but with light duty and no heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 6 weeks. Swelling is expected with the majority of the swelling improving within the first 4 weeks after surgery. Expect the final outcome of the brow lift at 3 to 6 months after surgery.

YOUR NEW LOOK

Most patients are pleased with the results of a brow lift, no matter which surgical method was used. Often, patients don’t realize how much their drooping brow contributed to the signs of aging until they see how much younger and more rested they appear after the lift. Although a brow lift does not stop the clock, it can minimize the appearance of aging for years.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH BROW LIFT

Every surgical procedure involves a certain amount of risk and it is important that you understand these risks and the possible complications associated with them. In addition, every procedure has limitations. An individual’s choice to undergo a surgical procedure is based on the comparison of the risk to potential benefit. Although the majority of patients do not experience complications, you should discuss them with your plastic surgeon to make sure you understand all possible consequences of brow lift.

WHY CHOOSE REVITALIZE PLASTIC SURGERY

Offering advanced procedures, our surgical practice is led by first-class surgeons and a highly skilled medical team. Combining education, experience and skill with a focus on both the science and the art of medical aesthetics, we take a holistic approach to each patient’s treatment plan. Patient education, safety and, of course, results, are our utmost priorities.