Sometimes people ask, “what is a forehead costmetic surgery?” Most people are familiar with a facelift and other cosmetic procedures, but not everyone is familiar with a brow and forehead lift.
A forehead lift, or forehead rejuvenation, refers to a forehead cosmetic surgery procedure designed to improve the appearance of a sagging forehead and sagging eyebrows and upper eyelids. Sometimes it also reduces the appearance of fine lines between the eyes and on the forehead.
The brow and forehead areas are often among the first areas to show signs of aging. One of these signs is the loss of skin elasticity which leads to a sagging appearance. A brow and forehead lift helps correct these issues while restoring a more youthful, relaxed look.
Whenever you consider plastic surgery, your first step is to schedule a consultation. Sometimes people believe a specific procedure will meet their needs, but when they talk with an experienced and reputable plastic surgeon, they learn another procedure may be more appropriate for their specific needs. As with any medical care, there is no such thing as a one size fits all solution. Talk with a professional to learn the best options for your needs.
Still, it helps to be aware of today’s most popular procedures. Sometimes we see patients interested in facelifts who might actually prefer the results they would receive from a brow and forehead lift.
A forehead lift focuses on the upper part of the face from the forehead to the cheekbones. It results in a more refreshed and youthful look. Some of the issues it addresses include hooding over the eyes, drooping eyebrows, and furrowed foreheads.
If you are curious about what you might look like with a brow and forehead lift, try the following while looking in a mirror. Place your hands above your eyebrows near the outer edges of your eyes, then gently raise the skin upwards. You may notice a smoother and more “lifted” appearance. Of course, your plastic surgeon will be able to give you an even better idea of how it might look by showing before and after photos or using modern imaging techniques.
Who Receives a Forehead Lift?
You may be a good candidate for a forehead lift if some of the following apply and you wish to change it:
- You have a sagging appearance on your forehead or brows
- You have horizontal wrinkles on your forehead you wish to get rid of
- You have deep furrows between the eyes
- Your nose doesn’t work well; in some cases, a forehead lift may help resolve this issue
- Your eyelids look droopy
- You are healthy enough to recover well from this elective surgical procedure
- You have realistic and informed expectations about possible results (Hint: Booking a consultation helps you learn what you may realistically expect.)
Most people who seek a forehead lift are between the ages of 40 and 60 and want to reduce the signs of aging. However, sometimes younger adults get a forehead lift to correct the appearance of low eyebrows cosmetically or help fix a dysfunctional nose.
What Happens During a Forehead Lift?
During a forehead lift, your surgeon smoothes out and tightens the skin on the face by removing excess tissue and altering the facial muscles.
Your surgeon will administer anesthesia to ensure a painless experience. However, you may notice a stretching sensation around your forehead during the operation.
Members of your surgical team will pull sections of your hair away from the area. Sometimes they may need to trim or even shave hair depending on the surgical site. The incision is usually around ear level and continues across the top of the hairline. For balding patients, the incision placement may vary, so the scar is less visible. Your surgeon will talk you through their approach and where they expect to make the incision.
The surgeon then removes any excess tissue, including skin and muscle, and will close the cut with surgical staples or stitches. Your forehead will be tighter and more lifted following the procedure.
Some surgeons use endoscopes which allow the surgeon to see the tissues and muscles below the forehead’s skin. They use a series of smaller incisions through the scalp during this variation of the forehead lift procedure. Because the incisions are smaller, the procedure is less invasive than a traditional forehead lift, and recovery is usually faster.
Sometimes people combine a forehead lift with another procedure such as an eyelid lift or facelift. By having an in-depth conversation with your physician, you may learn which treatments or combinations of treatments are most likely to give the results you want.
Every surgical procedure has a risk of side effects. Patients typically experience tenderness, swelling, bruising, and pain following the procedure. As with any operation, the body needs time to heal and recover. Your surgeon will talk you through the process and what to expect. A small minority of patients may experience paralysis of a muscle around the eyebrow. This can happen due to nerve damage even in the hands of an experienced surgeon.
Be sure to follow any instructions or recommendations for the best chance of healing well. Rest, elevation and icing help facilitate healing by helping reduce swelling and bruising. Your surgeon may suggest other ways to help your body heal—plan for sufficient downtime following any cosmetic procedure or operation.
Next Step: Schedule a Consultation
If you are interested in learning more about any forehead cosmetic surgery treatment, including a forehead lift, start by scheduling a consultation with a skilled plastic surgeon.
Residents of the Charlotte, NC area have trusted their faces to Charlotte Plastic Surgery since 1951. Each of our most senior physicians is board-certified, and our standard of excellence extends to our entire staff.
With our commitment to excellence and proven track record, we can help you navigate today’s cosmetic surgery and nonsurgical aesthetic treatment options. Contact us today to schedule your consultation appointment.
