As you advance in age, your skin starts to lose its elasticity. You may also notice a change in the distance between your eyelids and eyebrows as gravity takes its toll. This sagging of the brows can make you look sad, tired, or even angry. A forehead lift (also called brow lift) can give you a more youthful appearance and a refreshed look.
What is A Brow Lift?
A brow lift goes by many names. It is also called a forehead lift, forehead rejuvenation, temporal lift, or browplasty. It is a surgical cosmetic procedure aimed at rejuvenating the forehead by correcting creases, smoothing frown lines, and repositioning sagging eyebrows. A brow lift can be combined with other procedures such as blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) and/or a facelift to improve the eyes and other areas of the face showing the signs of age.
Alternatives to forehead lift procedures may include:
- Chemical peels used to reduce forehead lines and refresh the skin
- Lifting your brows using Botox injections
- Upper blepharoplasty to address eyelid sagging
Choosing a Surgeon for Your Brow Lift
Plastic surgery requires patients to make a number of choices. The most important decision you will make throughout the entire process, however, is selecting a trustworthy surgeon.
Whether you live in Philadelphia, Princeton, or Yardley, it is crucial to find a surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS). The surgeon must adhere to a strict code of ethics and operate in an accredited medical facility. This will ensure that he or she is trained and experienced in all facial plastic surgery procedures.
Once you find a qualified surgeon, you will meet with them for a consultation. This is your opportunity to find out more about the surgery and your candidacy. You’ll also have a chance to ask questions.
What You Should Know Before the Brow Lift Procedure
There are two main types of brow lifts. The traditional approach involves a long incision to directly access the muscles of the forehead. The endoscopic approach, on the other hand, involves making tiny incisions to elevate the forehead and the brows. The latter is the preferred method since it is less invasive.
Good Candidates for a Forehead Lift Procedure
There is no age limit for the forehead lift procedure, but most brow lift candidates range between the ages of 40 and 65. However, the procedure is occasionally performed on younger patients who require brow lifting.
Prospective patients should be in good health and have realistic expectations for their results. The surgery will be tailored to suit their unique needs.
For patients who wish to add other procedures to the brow lift surgery, such as Botox, fillers, or laser resurfacing, other requirements may apply. The surgeon will ensure that you are well informed in order to determine the best and safest procedures for you.
Good candidates for a forehead lift typically have the following complaints:
- Sad, bored, or angry resting expression due to sagging brows
- Frown lines between the eyes, making the central portion of the brow hang down
- Drooping tissues making it difficult to apply makeup
The Brow Lift Procedure
For our skilled, board-certified surgeons at Becker Plastics in New Jersey, Philadelphia, Yardley, Princeton, and Voorhees, the forehead lift process involves the following steps:
Anesthesia for a Forehead Lift Surgery
After a final discussion with the surgeon, you will be given anesthesia. This ensures that you are comfortable during the entire process. The surgeon may provide local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the technique that will be used.
Forehead Lift Surgery
The incision type will depend on whether the brow lift is endoscopic or traditional.
For an endoscopic brow lift, the surgeon will use a thin tube, which has a camera at the end. First, the surgeon will make several tiny incisions on your scalp, behind the hairline. After gaining access into the forehead muscles, they will insert an endoscope (a tiny camera) which guides the tube and the doctor’s movements. The tiny camera will provide visibility so the surgeon can lift the sagging areas.
A traditional brow lift involves a long incision across the forehead. It can be along the hairline or in one of the forehead creases. This lifts the skin away from the underlying tissues. The surgeon will then repair the muscles, remove excess skin, and stitch the brow into a new position.
There is also a limited incision technique, which is a combination of both procedures. It uses the coronal technique while making tiny incisions. The resulting scar is hidden in the hairline. This is possible even for balding patients. This procedure does not address the central forehead areas. However, it can reduce wrinkles such as crow’s feet.
The best forehead lifting technique for you depends on your facial features, signs of aging, and preferences. In any case, our goal is to help you achieve the best, most natural-looking results. Our surgeons tailor your procedure to suit your unique needs.
Patient Reviews
Brow Lift Results and Recovery Process
After surgery, your surgeon will give you detailed instructions about post-surgical self-care. This may include potential complications to look out for and tips for incision care.
After the procedure, there will be minimal pain and numbness. Swelling will be present initially. As the days and weeks go by, swelling and bruising will disappear. Cold compresses may help reduce swelling. The doctors will also advise you to limit vigorous exercise during the first few weeks
Although the recovery period may vary, you should expect this rough timeline:
- Having sutures removed one week after surgery
- Resuming light duties/driving within two weeks
- Returning to your normal lifestyle within three weeks depending on the amount of physical exertion required
The final results will be visible after six months. By this time, the scalp and the hairline will have healed. The improvements in your forehead can last for many years.
Associated Forehead Lift Costs
The cost of a brow lift varies from one surgeon to another. It is also influenced by geographical location and the technique used. Becker Plastics, like most plastic surgery centers, offers affordable financing plans, since these costs are not covered by insurance.
Brow Lift FAQS
Although a brow lift is an outpatient procedure, it takes a number of weeks to heal and achieve the desired results. Therefore, you need to weigh the risks against the benefits before scheduling your procedure. That is, the recovery time and cost involved against the benefits such as boosting self-esteem and reducing signs of aging. In addition to this, our surgeons can help you determine the extent to which a brow lift will change your appearance.
Comparing the two methods, the open brow lift is more invasive and dramatic. It creates much more swelling and numbness. However, it achieves a higher brow level compared to endoscopic.
People who like higher brows sometimes choose the coronal process, but there are more risks involved. It is important to go through the pros and cons of each method before making a choice.
In Voorhees, the endoscopic brow lift is more common. This is because it offers an easier recovery process and results in a lower rate of complications. However, our excellent surgeons will discuss your options with you and help you choose the best procedure for your goals.
Most health insurance plans in Philadelphia, Yardley, Voorhees, and Princeton do not cover brow lift surgery or any complications that may arise afterward. For this reason, it is important to ask your surgeon for information about the available financing plans.
The scars will depend on the technique used. However, they will be well concealed. For the open technique, the scar will be across the scalp and hidden by the hairline. The endoscopic lift scars may include three incisions along the top of the scalp. They will be shorter in size. For the limited incisions, the scars will be hidden in the temporal hairline.
If you live in the states of Pennsylvania or New Jersey, Becker Plastic Surgery offers brow lift among its services. For a full list of services, please visit our Locations page.
Talk to a Brow Lift Expert
When it comes to rejuvenating your appearance, you need the help of an expert. Reach out to us at Becker Plastics for consultation, questions, and all your brow lift concerns. You can also visit our physical locations in Yardley, Voorhees, and Princeton.
ADDRESS:
256 Bunn Drive, Suite B
Princeton NJ 08540 US
PHONE:
(609) 874-7199
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Why choose the Doctors at Becker Plastic Surgery
Kirk Lozada, MD, FACS
- Completed his fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania and has trained with the top Facial Plastic Surgeons in Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey.
- Has traveled to Ica, Peru with Healing the Children on multiple occasions performing a high volume of cleft lip and palate surgery.
- Is currently a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and has numerous publications and presentations in the field of facial plastic surgery.
Daniel Becker, MD, FACS
- Board Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology (ENT).
- Board Certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS).
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).
- Top-Rated by US News and World Report, Philadelphia Magazine, South Jersey Magazine, Castle-Connelly, and others.
- Read more about rhinoplasty specialist Dr. Becker’s credentials
Nicole Schrader, MD, FACS
- She is a double board certified surgeon in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology & Head/Neck Surgery.
- Is a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Has over 20 years of experience, 15+ years in private practice and has performed hundreds of facelift surgeries.
- Dr. Schrader Recognized as Best Plastic Surgeon by Town Topics Readers’ Choice Awards.