Forehead Lift and Brow Lift

Candidates for Surgery

The forehead lift and brow lift proceduresare designed for women or men who desire a more youthful and rested appearance through a surgical procedure; this is accomplished by surgically lifting the forehead, eyebrows and skin around the eyes.  Candidates also have drooping eyebrows or “hooding” of the upper eyelids.  Additionally, this procedure can correct deep furrows at the top of the nose (glabellar frown lines) through a removal or weakening of the specific fine muscles between your eyebrows. These creases often give a serious, upset or angry appearance and softening or minimizing them corrects this false image.  The results of this operation can be very dramatic.

It is an uncomplicated procedure that generates results that can last for many years.  A forehead-lift is intended to soften the lines in the forehead as well as frown lines above and between the eyes.  The procedure can also alter the hair line by either lowering it, if you have a receding hair line or high forehead, or even raising it, if you have a low hairline.  The procedure intends to create a more youthful and rested appearance in the forehead and upper eyelids.  A Brow Lift generally raises the outside (lateral) brow or the entire structure depending what is required.  A Forehead Lift is designed to lift the entire forehead minimizing deep transverse wrinkles and furrows.  Similar techniques can be used for both procedures, including minimal and hidden scar techniques, which often times use an endoscopic (surgical telescope) approach through remote incisions behind the hairline.

The procedure is done on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia or Intravenous Sedation with Local Anesthesia.

The restraining attachments are released underneath the brows (no scars on the brows), then forehead skin is lifted and repositioned and the muscles that cause frown lines are weakened to give a more relaxed appearance.

There are a number of techniques and modifications that are used by the surgeons at Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery; they are matched to the patient’s desires and requirements such as lowering the hairline, or lifting just the outside of the brow which often droops before the middle part.  This will determine where the incision is placed.   It is important to select a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in all of these techniques, so the procedure can be individualized to your needs.  For example, if you have a high hair line or a receding hair line, the incision will be made at the hair line.  By using a beveling incision technique under magnification to preserve maximum hair follicles, the scar will be minimized as individual hairs will grow into the scar camouflaging it in many cases so that you could wear your hair pulled back.
Endoscopic brow lifts are commonly performed by Dr Nichter and Dr. Horowitz.  The operation is done using an endoscope (a narrow hollow surgical telescope with a fiber optic light source and camera) and a small specialized instrumentation.  Endoscopic forehead-lifts use several short incision placed behind the hair line.

Additional procedures that may enhance the result are Lower and/or Upper Eyelid Lift, Face Lift, or other facial procedures or implants.

This surgery is most commonly performed on an outpatient basis. Taping or a light dressing is placed depending on the technique used and surgeon’s preference.  These are removed the first week following surgery.  Initial discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication.  
Most swelling and bruising is gone in 7-10 days.
Smoking should stop for at least 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery to minimize complications.

Risk of Surgery

The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual.