Brow Lift

Q: Am I a Candidate for Brow Lift?

A Brow Lift, otherwise known as a Forehead Lift, is a surgical procedure designed to improve visible signs of aging in the brow and the forehead area. Throughout a person’s life, the sun’s radiation, stress, gravity, and other factors cause the forehead skin and the brows to sag. Though these changes are gradual, forehead wrinkles, frown lines and other signs of aging can make individuals “feel older” than they really are. Lower positioned brows can sometimes prevent you from unobstructed vision. In such instances your Brow Lift procedure can be covered by your insurance policy.

Brow Lift gives patients a younger, more refreshed look by literally lifting the area above the eyes. It helps to correct overhanging brow line, reduce horizontal forehead lines, vertical frown lines and other negative features that make you appear tired, sad, or angry. Procedure can preferentially lift the outer or the inner portions of your eyebrows depending on what will give you the maximal aesthetic improvement.

Most patients seeking a Brow Lift are between the ages of 40 and 60, and wish to reduce the signs of aging that are often most apparent in this area. However, many younger patients also seek Brow Lift surgery to reduce the appearance of frown lines created by stress or excessive muscle activity in the forehead and brow area.

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Q: Why Should I Consider a Brow Lift Procedure?

• To lift low lying brows to a higher position for aesthetic improvement of your upper face and to achieve a more youthful and alert look.
• To alleviate a tired and angry look
• To balance the position of outer and inner portions of your brows.
• To correct asymmetry between the brows
• To tighten sagging skin and muscles in the forehead.
• To remove excess forehead skin.
• To permanently reduce frown lines and this way reduce perpetual dependence on costly Botox® Cosmetic injections.
• To address your vision deficiency due to documented reduction of visual field secondary to hooding of your brows.

Q: How is Brow Lift Performed?

Dr. Rayham performs Brow Lift procedures in his offices or hospital setting in Manhattan/NYC, Brooklyn or Staten Island, New York. This procedure generally lasts from one to three hours. It is usually done under local anesthesia with twilight sedation. Sometimes general anesthesia is utilized, especially if brow lift is being performed in conjunction with other procedures and prolonged operative time is anticipated.

For Endoscopic Brow Lift procedure three or five small incisions are usually placed just inside the hairline. If substantial outer brow pull is to be performed, incisions in the temple areas of your hairline can be lengthened slightly. Camera is used to visualize the deep portion of the forehead and the area under the eyebrows. The forehead and brows are elevated and secured in a higher position using absorbable EndotineTM devices and sutures. The muscles causing excessive frowning are partially removed and weakened to prevent the frowning motion of your eyebrows. If asymmetry is present or a preferential lifting of outer or inner area of the eyebrows is needed, it is done and improved symmetry is achieved.

If coronal, direct or temporal Brow Lift approaches are used, excess skin is removed to tighten your forehead skin and “crow’s feet” lines around your eyes. If trans-blepharoplasty incision brow lift is to be performed, an incision in the natural fold of you upper eyelid is first created, and then muscles causing excessive frowning are partially removed and weakened. Brows are lifted and secured in a higher position. At that time excess skin and fat can be removed from upper eyelids as well. Again, the decision of whether an endoscopic, coronal, direct, temporal or trans-blepharoplasty approach will be utilized to perform your procedure will be dependent upon the complexity of the problem that needs to be addressed. Dr. Rayham will discuss with you all possible options and the best approach to reach your goals.

Small drain sometimes can be placed and removed the following morning. Small stitches are used to close the incisions. Metal clips or staples may also be utilized at the hairline.

Q: What Should I Anticipate After the Procedure?

Upon completion of the operation bandages are placed around the forehead. The next day, dressings are removed. Generally, post-operative instructions recommend rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing and recovery process. The stitches, clips or staples are normally removed within two weeks, although, sometimes the sutures placed during the operation are absorbable by your body and don’t need to be removed at all. The amount of swelling that you may get is variable, but you can resume most normal activities within a week and should show very few signs of your procedure by three weeks. Although some minor pain is usually associated with immediate postoperative period, it can be effectively treated with oral medication. While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the directions given after the procedure. Dr. Rayham encourages his patients to refrain from smoking for several weeks before and after the surgery. Also, if you wear glasses, we will show you how to position and tape them in such a way to prevent undue pressure that may negatively influence your healing process.

If you live in New York or nearby, you can go home the day of your browlift procedure. Our out of town patients normally stay overnight in one of our recommended hotels and can be driven home or fly home the next day following their postoperative check-up with Dr. Rayham.