Elevated Your Confidence: The Brow Lift Experience
As we age, the muscles and tissues in our forehead and brow area start to weaken and sag. Over time, this can lead to frown lines, hooded eyebrows and an overall tired look. A brow lift surgery is a cosmetic procedure that restores a more youthful, lifted brow and smooth forehead area.
What is a Brow Lift
A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, is a surgical procedure performed by plastic surgeons to remedy sagging brows and frown lines. There are different techniques, but the goal is to reposition the eyebrows higher on the forehead for a more alert appearance. Common types include:
- Direct brow lift – Incisions made above the brows to directly lift the skin.
- Indirect brow lift – Lifts tissues from an incision made further up in the scalp line.
- Endoscopic brow lift – Uses tiny incisions and an endoscope for minimal scarring.
Am I suitable for a Brow Lift?
The best candidates for a brow lift are those who have:
- Deep forehead wrinkles and frown lines between the eyebrows
- Sagging eyebrows that give a tired or sad appearance
- Heaviness or a furrowed area above the brows
- Premature brow aging due to hereditary factors, sun damage or weight loss
A brow lift works well for those in their 40s, 50s and 60s who wish to refresh their appearance. During your consultation, Dr Timothy Shim will thoroughly assess you and discuss the treatment plan together with you, and you can have the conversation about brow lifts with him.
The Brow Lift Procedure
Consultation
The initial consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr Timothy Shim, is the first step in undergoing a brow lift procedure.
During this appointment, he will perform a thorough examination of your eyebrows, forehead, and medical history to evaluate the concerns you wish to address and determine if you are a suitable candidate. He will also explain the different surgical techniques available.
Once you decide to move forward, Dr Shim will provide instructions to cease certain medications and supplements in the weeks leading up to surgery to help prevent bleeding and other complications.
The Procedure
On the day of surgery, you will be given local anaesthesia around the forehead along with intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia to ensure comfort during the procedure.
Depending on the selected technique, Dr Shim will make concealed incisions either inside the hairline, within natural creases of the forehead, or along the scalp. The muscles responsible for furrowing and wrinkling are then identified and lifted in strategic positions before being resecured with sutures or secured to the skull. If necessary, any extra fatty deposits or excess skin may be trimmed away to refine the brows and smooth contours.
Once shaping is completed, the incisions are meticulously closed using to heal seamlessly.
Post Procedure
After surgery, your head will be wrapped to minimize swelling and you can expect to feel tired with some discomfort that is managed using prescription medications.
Bruising and swelling peak 3-5 days postoperatively before gradually subsiding over 1-2 weeks. Final results unfolding over 3 months as all oedema disappears. With adequate aftercare and healing time, you can achieve a naturally rejuvenated and youthful appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bruising and swelling is normal after an endoscopic brow lift, though these typically fade within two weeks as the body heals.
Most patients can resume work and regular duties within 10 days of the procedure. Strictly following post-op care guidelines set by the plastic surgeon ensures a smooth recovery.
The endoscopic brow lift differs from the open technique in its minimally invasive approach. Small incisions are made within the hairline for the endoscopic lift, allowing the surgeon to elevate tissues using an endoscope. Less dissection is required. Recovery takes 1-2 weeks and scarring is minimal. The open brow lift involves a straight incision across the forehead. This provides direct access for fuller tissue lifting but takes longer to heal at 2-3 weeks.
Endoscopic is best for mild sagging and subtle shaping, while the open technique may produces more dramatic lifting and works well for heavy brows or wrinkles. The options will be discussed with you during consultation.
Yes, it is possible to undergo a brow lift and blepharoplasty at the same time.
When doing the blepharoplasty, the key is removing enough excess skin and fat to achieve the ideal eyelid improvement, while being careful not to remove too much which could impact one’s ability to close the eye normally. However, with a brow lift it is impossible to precisely predict how high the brows will be lifted, consequently influencing how much should be removed during blepharoplasty.
Experienced surgeons are frequently able to assess the patient’s condition and safely perform both procedures together if needed, or to recommend separate procedures or alternative approaches.
Our priority is ensuring the brow lift yields a natural appearance and is aligned with the expectations of the patient, lifting just enough to counteract the effects of ageing, but not so much that the brows seem artificially raised and fixed in place.
A delicate technique and nuanced approach helps to leaving patients looking refreshed and natural.
You can speak to our plastic surgeon for more details and to express any concerns during the 1-to-1 consultation.
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