Browlift And Forehead Lift

What is a "browlift"?

A browlift usually occurs when a patient's brow or eyebrows are descending or dropping, so that they make them look tired or angry. A browlift serves to elevate those brows by making an incision, usually in the hairline area, to elevate both eyebrows.

How is a browlift procedure performed?

There are a variety of different ways that a browlift is performed. Classically, plastic surgeons used to use what was called a coronal browlift. That required an incision from really ear to ear, up through the scalp, and around. Over the last couple of years, plastic surgeons and facial plastic surgeons have done what is called an endoscopic browlift. By using cameras and making small incisions in the scalp, the forehead tissue or brows can be raised with a lot less of an incision.

Who can get a browlift procedure?

Any patient that has concerns with regards to their brow position - or what we would say brow decent or really just their brows are dropping, and they are making them look angry or tired or their eyes closed - is probably a good canopy for a brow lift. Often patients will think they need a brow lift where in fact they probably need eye lid surgery instead, and vice versa.

Is a browlift painful?

A browlift is generally not painful. There could be swelling and bruising involved. With an endoscopic brow lift, where the incisions are smaller, the level of pain and recovery is a lot less. We're talking about an incision through skin and some muscle work, but it's generally not that painful.

What are the risks and complications associated with a browlift?

There's really been a shift within browlifts to limit the scar that's involved. For many years, patients had to undergo a coronal browlift, where the incision ran across the entire scalp or forehead area, and that could lead to loss of hair, a big scar, and also, for men, the potential of having a visible scar if there was hair loss. Today we are making smaller incisions for browlifts, which leads to smaller scars, and makes it less likely for there to be complications.

What incisions or scarring should I expect with a browlift procedure?

Your incision site will really depend on your evaluation by your doctor and whether or not you're a man or a woman. For patients with a full head of hair and significant brow descent or dropping of the brow, you may be a good candidate for the classic or coronal brow lift, where the incision is in the scalp or forehead area. For men or for patients that have a small amount of brow depression, they may be a better candidate for either a small lateral brow lift or for an endoscopic brow lift, where cameras are inserted and smaller incisions are made to limit the scarring.

What should I expect after browlift surgery?

Browlift surgery is pretty straightforward. You'll be expecting some bruising and swelling. You may have some pain involved in the forehead area after browlift surgery, but in general, there will mostly just be bruising and swelling that Motrin, Tylenol or some small narcotic should take care of.

What post procedures should I follow after a browlift procedure?

Your doctor will make sure that the incision sites are clean, dry and not infected after a browlift, so you'll probably take some antibiotic. In general, keeping your head elevated and keeping the incision sites clean is probably about all that is required after browlift surgery.

Will I have to take time off from work after browlift surgery?

Depending on the incision used, and depending on your hairline, and what kind of work you do, that will all determine whether or not you'll be able to go back to work after browlift surgery. If you can wear a hat, you will probably be able to go back to work in a day or two after the browlift. But otherwise, I would tell patients a week to two weeks before they could go back to work after a browlift. Many times a browlift is performed with other procedures, so it's very common that you'll need to take about two weeks off after the browlift.

What are the costs associated with a browlift procedure?

A browlift is considered cosmetic surgery, so medical insurance will not pay for a browlift. The cost can range anywhere from $5-6,000 up to $15-20,000, depending on your doctor.

Can I get other plastic surgery procedures at the same time as receiving a browlift procedure?

It's very common to do facial rejuvenation at the same now as browlift surgery. Often a browlift will be performed both with eyelid surgery – either upper or lower eyelid surgeries – and a facelift. It's very common to have many facial procedures done at the same time.