Brow Lift

(Forehead Lift)

• What Is a Brow Lift?
• Brow Lift Candidates
• Brow Lift Process
• Endoscopic Brow Lift
• Coronal Brow Lift
• One-Stitch/Lateral Brow Lift
• Brow Lift Recovery
• Brow Lift Cost

What Is a Brow Lift?

Brow lift surgery, sometimes referred to as a forehead lift, is a procedure that is intended to provide facial rejuvenation by tightening skin and underlying tissues throughout the upper third of the face. It is often combined with a facelift and/or blepharoplasty, for more comprehensive results.

Over time, facial features undergo age-related changes that may make you look tired, angry, sad, or older than you feel. These changes often occur first in the forehead and eyebrow region. A brow lift performed by board-certified plastic surgeon Joseph DiBello, MD reduces forehead lines and creases, and can improve frown lines that may appear between your eyebrows. Sagging eyebrows may also be lifted with this procedure, restoring the natural arch of the eyebrows, yielding a more youthful appearance to the upper portion of your face. Two alternative procedures for lifting the forehead are a coronal forehead lift, and the endoscopic forehead lift, which is described in this animation.

Who Is a Candidate for Brow Lift Surgery?

Individuals in good health who seek to address sagging or flattening of the eyebrows, as well as reduce deep wrinkles, skin laxity, and other signs of aging in the forehead region are typically considered good candidates for brow lift surgery. A brow lift can address these concerns by tightening loose skin in the forehead region, smoothing prominent facial lines, and elevating the brows to a more rejuvenated position.

The aging process and environmental factors, like sun damage, cause the skin’s support network of collagen and elastin to break down. As a result, the skin loses its structure and elasticity and becomes lax, which in turn typically leads to a flattening or more horizontal appearance of the brow. Additionally, layers of muscle weaken, causing lines and wrinkles in the brow region to become increasingly apparent. An aesthetically pleasing or youthful position for eyebrows at rest is above the orbital rim, with a gradual arching to the side, and the outer end (or “tail”) of the brow located higher than the inner portion. An endoscopic forehead lift tightens loose skin on the forehead and adjusts underlying muscles, which contribute to frown lines.

In general, ideal candidates for a brow lift procedure experience:

• Sagging eyebrows, which may create the appearance of upper eyelid hooding
• Horizontal forehead creases
• Vertical lines, or “frown lines,” between the eyebrows
• A perpetually sad, fatigued, or angry appearance as a result of drooping eyebrows

What Does the Brow Lift Procedure Entail?

Once scheduled for your procedure, Dr. DiBello’s staff will provide you with instructions relative to which medications and supplements should be discontinued before surgery to reduce complications, as well as information for your pre-operative testing appointment at the hospital where your procedure will be performed. If you are a smoker, Dr. DiBello requires that you commit to stopping for six weeks prior to and at least six weeks after surgery, for more predictable healing. You will also be seen a second time before surgery, at which time Dr. DiBello will review the consent forms and post-operative instructions with you, as well as provide you with prescriptions for nausea control, pain control, and an antibiotic. On the day of surgery, just prior to the start of your procedure, surgical guidelines will be drawn on and around your forehead. You will be given one of two types of anesthesia to make you as comfortable as possible. General anesthesia causes you to sleep through the procedure; local anesthesia with IV sedation causes the surrounding tissues to be numb and allows you to relax, but you may not be entirely asleep.

Endoscopic Brow Lift

An endoscopic forehead lift is performed using a surgical video device, called an endoscope, and other surgical instruments inserted into small incisions within the hairline around the forehead. Dr. DiBello will loosen and separate the skin and underlying muscle tissues from the frontal bone, which makes up the forehead. Small portions of the corrugator muscles, which form frown lines at the bridge of the nose, are snipped away to remove frown lines and prevent new ones from forming. The brow will be lifted and fixed in a higher position either by placing sutures beneath the skin, or by inserting absorbable fixation devices between the tissues. The incisions will be closed with sutures, and bandages may be placed around your head. The internal sutures or devices will often dissolve in approximately nine months, after the muscles and connective tissue layer, called the fascia, have healed and re-fastened in their new elevated position.

Coronal Brow Lift

In cases where there is extensive skin laxity, a coronal or “conventional” brow lift may be a more appropriate approach. This technique involves a longer incision, usually made along the patient’s hairline, enabling it to be easily hidden. If ideal results cannot be achieved with an endoscopic brow lift, Dr. DiBello may discuss this option with you in your consultation. The coronal brow lift allows for maximum removal of excess skin, compared to other methods, and can yield dramatic improvement.

Lateral Brow Lift (“One-stitch brow lift”)*

A lateral brow lift is like a “mini brow lift”—incisions are made along the temple areas within the hairline and parallel to the outer eyebrow, as opposed to along the entire hairline. This technique is generally reserved for patients who do not need or desire a full brow lift, but wish to restore the youthful, natural peak of the outer end, or “tail” of the eyebrow. While the lateral brow lift will not address the central eyebrow, it can reduce sagging skin and wrinkles at the corners of the eyes (“crow’s feet”). This type of brow lift is frequently combined with an upper blepharoplasty procedure for a more dramatic rejuvenation. The two procedures can typically be performed by Dr. DiBello in our office under local anesthesia. If there is a flattening of the outer arch of the eyebrow and a substantial amount of loose, hanging skin (ptosis) along the outer edges of the eye, Dr. DiBello may recommend this method.

*”One-stitch” refers to the social media phenomena, but these are not the proper terms for these treatments (see this blog for more information).

What Is Recovery from Brow Lift Surgery Like?

Following brow lift surgery, a compressive forehead dressing will be palced, followed by the use of a headband over the forehead for the first 5-7 days. Dr. DiBello may recommend cold compresses and certain herbal supplements. Additionally, he advises that you keep your head elevated as you recover, which will help to reduce bruising and swelling. Bruising normally fades quickly and any non-absorbable, external sutures will be removed in approximately seven to ten days. You should avoid strenuous activity, such as heavy lifting or exercise, as recommended by Dr. DiBello, to allow your body sufficient time to heal. Scars will be well hidden within your hairline and you should be able to notice the results very soon after your procedure. A forehead lift can significantly reduce the appearance of creases, frown lines and a sagging brow line and will rejuvenate your facial expressions to reflect the way you feel.

How Much Does a Brow Lift Cost?

Endoscopic brow lift surgery typically costs around $6,000.00 at DiBello Plastic Surgery.

When researching and comparing the cost of brow lift surgery, please keep in mind that many resources only provide an estimate for the surgeon’s fee, and do not take any other variables into account. The average price noted above reflects the actual overall cost, which includes not only Dr. DiBello’s fee, but also the hospital fees, pre-admission testing, and anesthesia fees. The cost for a “mini” or lateral brow lift performed in the office under local anesthesia would be significantly less, while a full coronal brow lift at the hospital would only be slightly more.

To help you get a better idea of what your actual cost might be, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. DiBello. Following a thorough assessment, Dr. DiBello can create a personalized treatment plan for you and provide a price quote that is more closely tailored to your specific needs.

Contact DiBello Plastic Surgery

If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of brow lift surgery and want to see if it is right for you, please contact us today. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, and can help you schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. DiBello.