A brow lift, or forehead lift, is a plastic surgery procedure to create a more youthful, refreshed facial appearance. A delicately performed surgery, a brow lift can subtly elevate sagging eyebrows to restore a youthful arch, and treat the look of “hooded” eyes. At Gold Coast Plastic Surgery, brow lifts are often performed endoscopically from the temples, an approach that is less invasive, involves shorter incisions, and has a faster recovery time.
If you struggle with any of the following aesthetic issues, you may be a good candidate for a brow lift:
Recovery after a brow lift takes about one week. Swelling and bruising are common and will begin to fade within about a week. Discomfort is usually minimal, but medication can be prescribed if necessary to help control any discomfort that patients do experience. Most patients can return to work and other light activities within one week, though more strenuous activities will need to be postponed for at least two weeks.
During the consultation, your forehead will be examined, your medical history reviewed, and your personal aesthetic discussed. All details of the procedure, such as the anesthesia, the recovery, the risks, and the costs will be explained, and all your questions and concerns will be answered thoroughly.
Dr. Moynihan believes in empowering his patients to make the best decisions possible for their care. His integrity dictates that on some occasions he may say no to a patient’s request if he doesn’t genuinely believe the procedure is in their best interests. In these cases, he will offer alternative options to help achieve the patient’s aesthetic vision, always ensuring a personalized, safety-oriented approach.
Dr. Moynihan performs the brow lift at our onsite, private, AAAASF-certified surgical center using sedation or general anesthesia. The procedure takes about an hour to complete. For the endoscopic brow lift, three 1.5 cm incisions are made behind the hairline, and the forehead tissues are elevated and anchored in a more youthful position.
Recovery after a brow lift takes about one week. Swelling and bruising are common but will begin to fade within about a week. Discomfort is usually minimal, but medication can be prescribed if necessary to help control any discomfort that patients do experience. Most patients can return to work and other light activities within one week, though more strenuous activities will need to be postponed for at least two weeks.
This approach may be appropriate for those with a higher hairline. An incision is created stretching from ear to ear within the hairline. The fat, tissue, and muscles are lifted and tightened, and excess skin is trimmed. The incision is then carefully closed.
Recovery after a classic brow lift will be ten to fourteen days. As the incision is hidden within the hairline, after healing, it will be virtually invisible. Full recovery, with tissues fully settled and scars faded may require several months. After any post-procedure swelling has dissipated, you will start to enjoy (and be ready to show off) your healthy, refreshed look.
A less invasive version of an endoscopic brow lift, a temporal (related to the temples) brow lift requires only twilight anesthesia. Two short incisions are placed within the hairline, through which the tissues of the outer one-third position of the eyebrows are subtly lifted for a more attractive arch. This approach avoids changing the shape of an already aesthetically pleasing brow and allows more light to the eyes.
The recovery from this minor procedure requires about one week, after which you will enjoy seeing a lifted look in the outer brow region and a more open, appealing facial look.
What is a brow lift?
Who is a good candidate for a brow lift?
Where is brow lift surgery performed?
What is the anesthesia used for the brow lift procedure?
How are brow lifts performed?
How long is the surgical time for the brow lift?
Will I have scars after undergoing a brow lift?
How much pain occurs with brow lifts?
What is the recovery like after undergoing a brow lift?
How much time should I plan to take off from work after my brow lift?
Can I exercise after my brow lift procedure?
Are there any risks of undergoing a brow lift?
Will my insurance company cover the cost of a brow lift?
A brow lift is a procedure to repair sagging eyebrows, address a heavy, overhanging brow, and create a more open, youthful facial appearance.
Candidates for this procedure should be non-smokers in good general health who are experiencing sagging tissues on the forehead, a heavy brow, sagging eyelids, or eyebrows that have drifted below the brow ridge (orbital bone).
Dr. Moynihan performs brow lifts at his private, state-of-the-art, onsite surgery center. You can expect ultimate privacy, a personalized approach, and advanced patient health and safety protocols, with your surgery under the care of a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and medical support staff.
Intravenous sedation with local anesthetic, or general anesthesia may be administered, depending on the type of brow lift performed.
For a temporal brow lift there is a 2 cm incision placed behind the hairline of each temple, and with an endoscopic brow lift, three 1.5 cm incisions are made behind the hairline. Working through the incisions, the brows are released and then elevated to a higher position. A classic, or traditional brow lift involves a longer incision placed within the hairline.
The brow lift takes about one hour to complete.
While the brow lift will leave scars, they are well-concealed within the hairline. The scars resulting from a temporal/endoscopic brow lift are very small, requiring a shorter recovery time.
Discomfort after a brow lift is usually minimal and can be managed with prescription pain medication, which is typically only needed for a few days.
The recovery after a brow lift takes about one week. Patients should expect some swelling and bruising, which will start to fade in about one week. Sleep on your back, with your head elevated on extra pillows or a foam wedge to protect the incisions.
You should plan on being out of work for about one week after your brow lift procedure.
Light exercise can usually be resumed within 10 days after the brow lift procedure, though strenuous activities and exercise will need to be put off for about two weeks.
All surgery carries some risk. For the brow lift, this may include the risk of cosmetic asymmetry and temporary numbness of the forehead, which may last for one to three months.
A brow lift performed for cosmetic reasons is not covered by health insurance. However, you can speak with us about financing your procedure with CareCredit.
