A browlift or forehead lift is a procedure that restores a more youthful look to the upper eye and eyebrow. During this procedure, drooping eyebrows or brow tissues are elevated toward the upper eyelid. This procedure also can treat horizontal lines in the forehead and frown lines that can make a person appear tired or sad.
Elevating the brow tissue can produce the effect of opening and “brightening” the entire look of the eyes. It is frequently done at the same time as an eyelid rejuvenation (blepharoplasty), and/or a facelift.
Oakland
UPMC Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center
3380 Blvd. of the Allies
Suite 158
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-641-3960
Free parking adjacent to our building
North Hills
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery at UPMC St. Margaret
200 Delafield Road
200 Medical Arts Building, Suite 3000
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
412-710-8274
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery at UPMC Passavant
9102 Babcock Blvd, Suite 206
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
412-710-8274
Patients typically range in age from 40 to 70 and have sagging brows. The sagging can create the appearance of additional upper eyelid skin and make patients look tired. Patients with furrowed brows and “frown” lines can benefit from this procedure.
A browlift often will enhance the appearance of your brow and eye region. Before surgery, however, you should discuss your specific goals and expectations with your plastic surgeon. While complications of browlift are uncommon, there could be a slight asymmetry of brow appearance. In addition to risks associated with anesthesia, loss of skin sensation and temporary hair loss also may occur.
Not every person is a candidate for this procedure, and your risks may be greater or different than those of other patients. Your plastic surgeon will review all potential risks and complications with you prior to the surgery.
Your surgeon will give you specific guidelines about preparing for surgery, including:
Browlifts can be done in a variety of ways with different types of incisions and it often depends on the height of the forehead or hairline. Prior to the procedure, your plastic surgeon will perform a careful evaluation of your entire face. He or she will suggest the type of procedure that will work best in your particular case, and show you the location of the incisions. The incisions may be short or long depending on the degree of brow sagging, heaviness of the tissues, and whether or not you are having another procedure performed at the same time.
Your doctor will recommend the best type of anesthesia for you but local anesthesia along with intravenous sedation or general anesthesia can be used.
A browlift usually is done in a hospital as outpatient surgery, and you will have to be driven to and from the hospital by a friend or family member.
In most cases, patients report discomfort around the incision site, as well as a headache that can be controlled with prescription medication. Swelling of the forehead and eyes, and sometimes the cheeks, is common. In order to minimize the swelling, you should keep your head elevated. You may notice signs of bruising (black and blue discoloration). Both the swelling and bruising will begin to disappear in a week.
In most cases, patients will be able to return to work in approximately 10-14 days. Vigorous physical activity will be limited for several weeks.
A browlift can produce a refreshed and rejuvenated look to the brow and upper eyelid area.
