A brow lift is a surgical procedure that is performed to achieve a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance to the area above the eyebrows and eyes. Also known as a forehead lift, the procedure itself is able to correct and improve the appearance of drooping brows and can aid the appearance of the horizontal lines and furrows that dig into the skin and can make a person appear to be tired or annoyed.
During a brow lift surgery, the procedure alters the muscles and tissues beneath the skin that cause the furrowing and drooping in an effort to smooth out the skin on the forehead. Designed to freshen the appearance of the forehead and brow areas, it completely alters the appearance of the face, giving a youthful tone and texture to the skin whilst replenishing the appearance around the eyes.
What makes the procedure different to a number of other facial surgeries is that there are a range of different methods that can be performed during the surgery to aid achieving the desired outcome. A longer incision is able to be made in the hairline which allows the tissue and skin in the forehead area to be shortened which lifts the forehead and can result in the necessity for the eyebrows to be repositioned to give a natural result. When performed this way, any scarring is then hidden in the hairline to aid in it being minimally visible, aiding with the appearance of natural looking results. Brow lift surgery can also be performed as a form of keyhole surgery (although this is entirely dependent on the needs of the patient) and is carried out via a larger number of small incisions positioned along the hairline to provide a similar outcome.
Who is the best candidate for a brow lift surgery?
Generally, the best candidates for a brow lift surgery are aged between 40 to 60 and are looking to undergo surgery to help to reduce the visible signs of ageing, but it can realistically be performed for anyone who is looking to achieve a younger appearance. For example, those who have developed lines and wrinkles from stress or those with inherited conditions such as a low brow or furrows above the nose.
Brow lift surgery can also be performed at the same time as a face lift surgery or blepharoplasty to further improve the appearance of the face. The blepharoplasty surgery works especially well in conjunction with a brow lift as it can effectively target the areas above and beneath the brow in unison to achieve a lifted and younger appearance.
How long do the results last?
Well, as brow lift surgery is a procedure that removes excess skin and tissue the results should last your whole life, but the unfortunate process of ageing will still continue to happen. To put it simply, your entire body (including your face) is always ageing from the moment you are born and the signs of ageing, no matter what you do to fight it, are going to show at some point.
The vast majority of patients however will see results that last for decades, and if any additional surgery is required to see further results down the line then that is an option that can be looked at too.
What happens after surgery?
After surgery you can pretty much get back to normal within a day or two, but like with other major cosmetic surgeries you should really be taking it as easy as you can for the first week after a brow lift. You won’t be able to shower or wash your hair until the bandage is removed, but this is normally done after a couple of days and you can start feeling more like yourself and getting back to normality.
The vast majority of patients are back at work within around 10 days after undergoing brow lift surgery, but depending on the individual patient and how the surgery was performed this can sometimes happen much sooner. This does depend entirely on your job role though, so for someone who works in an office typing on a computer all day may be ready to get back to work much sooner than someone who works in a warehouse or garage where they’re likely to encounter more physical work. It’s recommended to avoid any vigorous physical activity for a few weeks after surgery and this includes heavy lifting, exercise and even simple things like bending.
Many of the visible signs of surgery will fade away over the next few weeks, with any noticeable bruising or swelling able to be managed with pain medication or makeup. As the signs begin to fade away, you’ll start to see your results show through and see your new look in the mirror.
How painful is a brow lift?
Brow lift surgery is performed either under local or general anaesthetic, depending on the individual needs. If the procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, then it’s possible that some mild tugging and pulling can be felt as the procedure does related to repositioning tissue in the forehead, but no pain should be felt during the surgery.
Immediately after surgery its highly likely that the anaesthetic will still have some form of effect, but as it wears off there is a likelihood of discomfort and a feeling of tightness across the forehead. A lot of patients describe their first night after a brow lift surgery with tightness and headaches, which can be managed with pain medication if it is required.
As the brow heals and begins to stick to it’s new shape and position, any pain or discomfort will naturally fade away and all you’re left with is stunning results.
To find out more about brow lift surgery and how it could benefit you, book a consultation with a member of our team today by calling 0800 772 0039 or filling in a consultation request here.