A forehead-brow lift is a surgical procedure that corrects drooping
eyebrows and smoothes the visible, horizontal lines in the forehead.
At Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery, we can help you decide whether
plastic surgery to lift your forehead and brow would be the best
procedure for you.
Who should have a brow lift?
How is a forehead lift done?
What results can you expect with a brow lift?
How can you prepare for your forehead-brow lift?
What can you expect when you are healing?
How long will results last?
What are the possible limitations and risks?
Are there other procedures that can be done along with
a forehead-brow lift?
Will insurance pay for the procedure?
Are there alternatives to having a forehead lift?
Next steps …
WHO SHOULD HAVE A BROW LIFT?
If you have one of these facial characteristics caused either by
heredity or aging, you may be a good candidate for a brow lift:
- A heavy, low brow
- Furrowed lines or deep wrinkles above the nose
- Deep wrinkles or furrows in your forehead
Characteristics of good candidates for a forehead lift include:
- You are in generally good health
- You feel your appearance would benefit from lifting your
brow line
Patients who have had eyelid surgery, who have receding hairlines
or who are bald can still be considered for a forehead lift. Dr.
Sinno will make sure to alter the incision location.
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HOW IS A FOREHEAD LIFT DONE?
Dr. Sinno performs the endoscopic ("minimal incision")
forehead lift at the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery.
Three to five short incisions are made in your hairline. Your hair
is preserved (no shaving is necessary). As shown in the graphic,
your forehead skin is lifted, and the muscles and underlying tissue
are repositioned to give your forehead a smoother appearance.
The
procedure is done using a narrow, hollow instrument called an endoscope.
It has a fiber optic light source and camera through which Dr. Sinno
works with small surgical instruments to complete the procedure.
Your eyebrows also may be lifted, depending on what you have decided
in advance with Dr. Sinno. Sometimes temporary screws, placed behind
the hairline, are used to hold the position while they are healing.
Dr. Sinno most commonly uses temporary stitches under the scalp
(instead of screws) for fixation. These hidden stitches are removed
in about 3 weeks.
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WHAT RESULTS CAN YOU EXPECT AFTER A BROW LIFT?
Want to see how you’d look with a forehead lift?
Stand in front of a mirror and place your palms at the outer edges
of your eyes, above your eyebrows. Now gently pull the skin up,
raising your brow and forehead area. That’s approximately
how you will look (minus your hands holding it in place!)
As you can tell, your completely healed forehead lift will alter
your expression. Although your appearance will not be dramatically
changed, you definitely will appear rested, healthier and more youthful.
Many patients report a renewed sense of well-being and an increase
in self confidence.
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HOW YOU CAN PREPARE FOR YOUR FOREHEAD-BROW LIFT?
Initial consultation
You will have a comprehensive consultation with the staff at the
Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery that includes:
- Discussion of your goals and expectations
- Evaluation of your face, including the skin and bone structure
- Outline of how the surgery is done, the anesthesia used
for the procedure and what to expect with a forehead lift
- Costs
- Answering any questions you have
Be ready to provide the following information:
- Complete medical history
- List of medications you take, including use of aspirin
and other over the counter medications, vitamins and herbal supplements
- Details about your tobacco and alcohol consumption
Before your surgery date:
- Live right. The best way to prepare your body for any
surgical procedure is to make healthy lifestyle choices in the weeks
beforehand. If you prepare your body for surgery, your “back-to-normal
time” is often reduced.
- Exercise regularly.
- Get adequate sleep.
- Eat right.
- Take vitamin supplements.
- Reduce stress.
- Depend on someone. Arrange for someone to drive you home
after surgery. You also should plan to have someone to help you
at home for the first day or two while you recuperate.
- Take necessary precautions. Dr. Sinno will review his
guidelines for what you should eat, drink or take before and after
the surgery. Following these instructions will help your surgery
and healing proceed better.
- Allow very short hair to grow out. Longer hair will help
cover incisions at the hairline while they heal. Some hair may be
trimmed for the procedure, and it will grow back normally.
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WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT WHEN YOU ARE HEALING?
Right after surgery
· You will go home with your head wrapped in dressings. These
are removed within 1-2 days. No additional dressings will be needed
after this.
· Keep your head elevated for the first 24 hours.
Pain, numbness, itching
You may experience some discomfort where the incision was made.
Incision pain is usually minor and easily managed with pain medication.
You might also have some numbness and itching near the incision.
These will eventually disappear.
Swelling, bruising
You will have some swelling and bruising around area treated. Expect
most swelling and bruising to disappear within 7-10 days. Ice packs
will help both swelling and discomfort. Complete swelling does not
usually disappear for 3-4 months after the procedure. Talk with the staff at Sinno Center
for Plastic Surgery about special makeup to help you cover the bruising
while you heal.
Stitches, staples, screws
These help hold the new position of your forehead while it heals.
Stitches and staples are usually removed within 7-10 days.
Hair loss and hair care
Although loss of hair is rare with an endoscopic forehead lift,
you may experience some patchiness around the surgical site. This
will clear up, and your hair will grow back in normally, within
a few months.
You can wash your hair, using your regular shampoo, as soon as
the post-surgical dressings are removed. Do not use hair coloring
for 5-6 weeks after the procedure. Also avoid use of very hot water,
curling irons, curlers, etc. during this time.
Getting back to normal
Healing is a gradual process. Day by day, the appearance of your
face will improve. Most visible signs of surgery are gone completely
within three weeks.
You may feel somewhat tired at first, but you should soon feel
back to normal.
You can expect to return to work or school within a week or so.
You will need to hold off on strenuous physical activity that raises
your blood pressure for several weeks. This would include jogging,
bending, heavy housework and sexual activity.
Diet and Nutrition
Good diet and nutrition will help your body heal better, and faster,
after a surgical procedure.
- Drink plenty of water or clear fluids; up to 64 ounces
a day is recommended
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables with every meal
- Eat small amounts of protein with every meal
- Eat every 4-5 hours; do not wait longer to eat
- Eat more frequent meals, with fewer calories per meal
- Eat breakfast within an hour after you get up
- Use vitamin supplements, especially antioxidants, to promote
healing and renew energy
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HOW LONG WILL RESULTS LAST?
Results will keep you looking younger for years. However, your face—including
your forehead—will continue to change somewhat as you age.
The Sinno Plastic Surgery Center offers a range of procedures and
treatment to enhance your face through time.
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WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE RISKS?
All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. The specific risks
and the suitability of this procedure for you can only be determined
during your consultation with Dr. Sinno prior to performing the
procedure.
You can reduce chance of risk by closely following instructions
before and after the procedure that are provided by Sinno Center
for Plastic Surgery.
Scars
The small scars made will be hidden in your hair. They will become
nearly unnoticeable within a few months.
Numbness
You may experience numbness near the surgical site for several months,
or more. Eventually the numbness will disappear.
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ARE THERE OTHER PROCEDURES THAT COULD BE DONE ALONG WITH
A FOREHEAD LIFT?
You may want to consider additional plastic surgery procedures
to enhance the results of your forehead lift. These might include
one or more of the following:
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WILL INSURANCE PAY FOR A FOREHEAD LIFT?
A forehead or brow lift is considered cosmetic. Therefore, it is
not covered by insurance. You will be responsible for payment.
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ARE THERE ALTERNATIVES TO HAVING A FOREHEAD LIFT?
Other procedures, such as fat grafting or Restylane injections and
Botox injections, may also provide you with similar results, in
a short term. A consultation with Dr. Sinno will help you identify
what will work best for you.
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NEXT STEPS . . .
If you would like to learn more about facial plastic surgery,
please contact the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery
to set up an appointment with Dr. Sinno to discuss your
plastic surgery options in detail
