Brow Lift

By Soheila Rostami, MD

No matter how young you feel on the inside, your body can betray your true age. Sometimes though, the body changes in ways that exaggerates aging more than usual. This is particularly true of the forehead. Drooping eyebrows (eyebrow ptosis) and wrinkle or frown lines can play a big role in making you look older, more serious, or overly tired. Luckily, there is a simple solution if you're looking to rejuvenate your face, it might be time to consider a brow lift.
What Is a Brow Lift?
A brow lift (also called a forehead lift or a browplasty) is a procedure that tightens the soft tissue in the forehead and places the eyebrows in a more youthful position. This can improve the appearance of wrinkle or frown lines and address sagging eyebrows that hood the upper eyelids.
Is a Brow Lift Right For Me?
Brow lifts are beneficial for people who are bothered by apparent signs of aging on their forehead.
As a general rule, eyebrows should have a slight lateral arch, and sit 1-2mm above the superior orbital rim for females and right on the orbital rim for males. If you have sagging or flat eyebrows, deep wrinkle or frown lines, or excess forehead skin hanging over your eyes, a brow lift could be the answer.
How Is a Brow Lift Done?
There are several different methods for a brow lift surgery, and they are each suited for various situations
Direct eyebrow ptosis repair An incision is made directly above the eyebrow and the elliptical skin in the area above the eyebrow is removed. This is best for patients with heavy foreheads, especially older males.
Internal eyebrow ptosis repair This procedure is done in conjunction with upper blepharoplasty, and is great for patients who want high-arched eyebrows. It involves dissecting the lateral third of the eyebrow and lifting the lateral eyebrow by suturing the eyebrow to the tissue covering the bone.
Trichophytic brow lift This surgery requires an incision along the hairline, and the forehead skin is lifted away from the tissue. Then the muscles are loosened and excess fat and skin is removed. This procedure lifts the forehead completely, addressing wrinkle and frown lines. It is best for patients with thick hair that covers the forehead, because a scar at the hairline may be visible.
Endoscopic-assisted brow lift Small incisions are made inside the hairline and an endoscope is inserted, allowing the surgeon to see and operate on the internal structures of the forehead. It results in very little visible scarring, but it is not right for everyone. For instance, if the patient has a heavy forehead, the lift usually falls quickly.
If you believe a brow lift might be right for you, talk to an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon about your options. This common procedure could be the key to achieving a happier, friendlier, and more youthful appearance.