Forehead Lift (Brow Lift)
Austin, TX

 

 
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Forehead Lift Before and After Photos


*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.

AUSTIN FOREHEAD LIFT (BROW LIFT)

Our surgeons offer forehead lift solutions for men and women in Austin & Sunset Valley, TX. As we age, our facial tissues begin to sag and droop. This is a process that happens gradually, and many people don’t notice it has begun until they start getting comments from others about how they look tired or irritated even when they are feeling fine. One of the first areas to show signs of aging, such as sagging skin and wrinkles, is the forehead. The forehead and eye regions are high-movement areas of the face. These areas tend to start showing signs of aging early on, sometimes even as early as the late 20s. A sagging and drooping forehead can change the resting facial expression, causing a constant appearance of exhaustion. At the Buckingham Center, individuals can have minimally invasive forehead and brow lifts in Austin, TX, to help patients achieve a naturally rested and youthful appearance.

WHAT IS A BROW OR FOREHEAD LIFT SURGERY?

Aging skin begins to sag and wrinkle due to the loss of collagen and elastin that occurs over time. A brow lift is a surgical procedure that is performed to lift and rejuvenate sagging tissues in the forehead, creating a more youthful appearance and improving your expression. While some patients can get their desired results with a simple blepharoplasty (aka eyelid lift), others need the drooping tissues of the brow lifted in order to open up their eyes.

A brow lift used to require a long incision across the scalp that extended from ear to ear. This incision could cause scarring, hair loss and persistent numbness in the area. These side effects deterred many patients from gaining the benefits of an elevated brow.

Today, the minimally invasive endoscopic approach is the most common forehead lift technique. This technique provides beautiful, natural-looking results, with a very short recovery time.

Instead of creating one long incision, the endoscopic procedure involves the creation of several smaller incisions and the utilization of special instruments, which reduces the likelihood of scarring, hair loss and residual numbness.

THE BENEFITS OF AN ENDOSCOPIC BROW LIFT

The endoscopic approach for forehead lifts offer patients the biggest benefits. Patients who choose the endoscopic brow lift can expect some or all of the following results:

  • A more awake, alert expression
  • Reduced lines and furrows in the brow
  • A more youthful, rejuvenated appearance
  • Improved self-confidence

The endoscopic brow lift also has the benefit of reduced swelling, bruising, and recovery time when compared to traditional forehead lift procedures.

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE?

Because there are several different options for surgical facial rejuvenation, it is important to know the different options and choose the procedure that suits your individual needs. Good candidates for a brow lift are men and women who have begun to notice the effects of drooping skin and muscles in the forehead. Because it can be difficult to determine whether a forehead lift or a blepharoplasty is the best option for rejuvenating the eye and forehead area, it is important to get an expert opinion from a plastic surgeon about which treatment is more appropriate.

Patients who wish to undergo an endoscopic brow lift should be in general good health and have realistic expectations for the procedure. Smokers must quit some weeks before the surgery since safety and proper healing can be compromised by smoking. An individual’s candidacy for this procedure will be determined during the initial consultation with one of our surgeons.

THE BROW LIFT PROCEDURE

Endoscopic brow lift procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and patients can be driven home shortly after their procedure is complete. Before the surgery, patients will be given anesthesia. Typically, this will include a local anesthetic and sedation to ensure safety and comfort throughout the surgery.

Once the anesthesia has been administered, the surgeon makes several short incisions in discreet locations. These incisions allow the surgeon to access the tissues of the forehead. The surgeon releases the attachments of the brow, allowing natural elevation to occur. Once this process is complete, the surgeon closes the incisions.

YOUR BROW LIFT CONSULTATION

Before you can schedule a forehead lift at Buckingham Center in Austin, Texas, you will need to meet with one of our surgeons to ensure you are a good candidate for this procedure. In addition, the surgeon can help you decide whether you would like to move forward with a brow lift.

During this consultation, the surgeon asks about your goals for plastic surgery. In addition, the doctor performs an examination of the forehead and eye area. Following the examination, the surgeon recommends a plan of action to help you reach your goals. The doctor may suggest a different procedure, or a combination of treatments that will help you reach your goals.

Because your safety is the top priority at Buckingham Center, the surgeon will review your health history to ensure you are a good candidate for an endoscopic brow lift. You should come to your consultation prepared to ask questions and address any concerns you may have. Our surgeon will give you everything you need to make an informed decision.

RECOVERY AND DOWNTIME

After the procedure, patients should plan to take about a week off from normal activities, although some patients feel well enough to return to work in 8 to10 days and normal routines in 14 days.

Bruising and swelling are to be expected. However, any discomfort can be controlled with medication. In addition, following the surgeon’s postoperative instructions can help reduce discomfort.

Some activities will be restricted during the initial recovery period, including strenuous exercise. Patients should follow all instructions closely to promote optimal results and rapid healing.

AFTER YOUR SURGERY

Some forehead swelling and bruising are normally present after forehead and brow lift surgery, but the degree of each varies widely from patient to patient. Do not be concerned if you have more or less than others who have undergone the same operation. Generally, most patients appear quite socially acceptable within 10 to 14 days after surgery.

Some numbness around the incisions is normal and will resolve in the first few weeks following your procedure. Do not let this worry you, but always ask if you are concerned. It is very important to your well-being that you follow all the instructions you receive from our office. We will check your progress regularly following surgery.

Brow Lift Surgery FAQ

WILL I LOOK SURPRISED AFTER BROW LIFT SURGERY?

One complication of the traditional forehead lift was often a surprised expression. This was an indication that the brow was lifted too high, producing an unnatural appearance. The endoscopic lift, when performed by a skilled plastic surgeon, produces a very natural expression, which means the look of surprise is not present following the procedure.

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RESULTS OF A TRADITIONAL BROW LIFT AND AN ENDOSCOPIC BROW LIFT?

While the traditional brow lift can lift the tissues more than an endoscopic lift can, this does not mean that the older techniques provide superior results. The results of an endoscopic lift are more natural, avoiding many of the aesthetic pitfalls of the older techniques.

WHY DO I NEED A CONSULTATION BEFORE I CAN SCHEDULE A BROW LIFT?

Before you can undergo a brow lift, an expert plastic surgeon needs to ensure you are a good candidate for the procedure and come up with a custom treatment plan. It is also important to get to know and trust your surgeon. The consultation is an opportunity to build rapport and make sure you feel comfortable with your surgeon.

WILL AN ENDOSCOPIC BROW LIFT STOP AGING?

No plastic surgery will not stop the aging process altogether. However, a brow lift can make you look years younger, and can effectively slow down the aging process. Depending on when you have the surgery and your lifestyle choices, you can enjoy the benefits of a brow lift for several years.

WILL THERE BE ANY SCARRING?

All surgery produces some scarring, but the incisions made during an endoscopic brow lift minimize scarring. They are strategically placed in the hair-bearing scalp to reduce visibility, and because they are shorter than the traditional incisions, they tend to fade better over time.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF AN ENDOSCOPIC BROW LIFT?

As with any surgery, an endoscopic brow lift does carry some risk, although the risks are minimal when a board-certified plastic surgeon performs the procedure. Some risks include bleeding, infection, unfavorable scarring, hair loss, numbness, motor nerve injury, anesthesia complications. Another concern is the possibility of a poor aesthetic outcome are potential complications, but most of these are very rare.

WHO SHOULD PERFORM MY FOREHEAD LIFT?

You should choose an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon, plastic surgeon or oculoplastic surgeon to perform your procedure. Surgeons who specialize in facial procedures tend to have more experience, which helps to ensure good results.

HOW CAN I GET AN IDEA OF HOW MY BROW LIFT WILL LOOK AFTER SURGERY?

Before-and-after photos from your surgeon’s past patients will give you a good idea of the kind of results you can expect. At home, you can get an idea of how a brow lift will help rejuvenate your face by lifting the skin at the sides of your forehead.

WHAT’S THE BEST AGE FOR AN ENDOSCOPIC FOREHEAD LIFT?

There is no perfect age for having an endoscopic brow lift. Any healthy adult with signs of forehead aging is a potential candidate. However, most brow lift patients are in their 40s or 50s, or above. Everyone ages at a different rate, which is why it is important to consult with an expert plastic surgeon about what surgery is most appropriate for your needs.

HOW PAINFUL IS THE PROCEDURE?

During the procedure, anesthesia will ensure that patients feel no pain. During recovery, prescribed medications can control discomfort, which is typically minimal.

WHAT IS AN ENDOSCOPIC FOREHEAD LIFT?

An endoscopic forehead lift, also known as a browlift, is a surgical procedure that targets such facial imperfections as drooping eyebrows, frown lines, furrowed forehead lines, forehead creases and hooding over the eyes.

The endoscopic technique is less invasive than the traditional forehead lift, requiring smaller incisions and resulting in an easier and shorter recovery. During surgery, the skin around the eyes is gently lifted, restoring a more youthful and lively appearance to the forehead and brow area. A forehead lift can be performed alone or in combination with other procedures (e.g., an upper or midfacial lift).

WHO IS THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THE ENDOSCOPIC FOREHEAD LIFT?

Candidates for endoscopic forehead lifts are in good physical health and have realistic expectations for improving the appearance of their brow area. A private patient consultation with one of our surgeons is the best way to determine if an endoscopic forehead lift is right for you.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING A CONSULTATION FOR AN ENDOSCOPIC FOREHEAD LIFT?

The private consultation for an endoscopic forehead lift is held before the surgery. This consultation includes a full facial analysis. With this analysis, the surgeon determines whether this procedure is ideal for you or if another procedure can best help you to achieve your desired result. This consultation will also allow you to ask any other questions that you may have.

WHERE IS THE ENDOSCOPIC FOREHEAD LIFT PROCEDURE PERFORMED?

The endoscopic forehead lift is often performed in an outpatient surgery center.

WHAT TYPE OF ANESTHESIA IS USED FOR THE ENDOSCOPIC FOREHEAD LIFT?

The endoscopic forehead lift is often performed with a combination of local anesthesia and sedation.

HOW IS THE ENDOSCOPIC FOREHEAD LIFT SURGERY PERFORMED?

For the endoscopic forehead lift, anesthesia is applied and then a few small incisions are made upon the part of the scalp that bears hair, making the incisions hidden from view. Special instrumentation is then placed into one of the incisions, providing the surgeon with a detailed view in order to carefully remove excess tissue and gently tighten the forehead skin.

HOW LONG DOES THE ACTUAL ENDOSCOPIC FOREHEAD LIFT PROCEDURE LAST?

The patient can expect the endoscopic forehead lift procedure to last approximately 1 ½ hours.

WHAT IS THE RECOVERY LIKE AFTER AN ENDOSCOPIC FOREHEAD LIFT?

An endoscopic forehead lift allows for a shorter recovery time than the traditional method. There is less swelling and bruising which usually fades in about one week. It is recommended that patients keep their heads elevated during the days following the surgery.

HOW MUCH TIME WILL I NEED TO TAKE OFF FROM WORK AFTER MY ENDOSCOPIC FOREHEAD LIFT?

Most patients take 7 to 10 days off from work after undergoing the endoscopic forehead lift.

WHEN ARE THE STITCHES REMOVED AFTER THE ENDOSCOPIC FOREHEAD LIFT PROCEDURE?

Stitches or staples are typically taken out within a week after the endoscopic forehead lift is performed.

WHERE EXACTLY ARE THE INCISIONS MADE FOR A BROWLIFT? ARE THEY VISIBLE AFTER SURGERY?

There are several different types of incisions for brow lift. Direct-just above the eyebrow which is not advised; mid-forehead- utilizing a forehead wrinkle line and is appropriate for men with a receding hairline and deep forehead rhytids developing at the hairline. This technique is appropriate for women with a high hairline; coronal- open incision in the hair; and endoscopic where the incisions are placed in the hair. Endoscopic is the most common procedure performed today. With a receding hairline, either a mid-forehead or an endoscopic approach would be appropriate.

IS AN ENDOSCOPIC FOREHEAD LIFT A LESS INVASIVE PROCEDURE THAN A NORMAL FOREHEAD LIFT?

That is somewhat a matter of opinion. My opinion is yes. A traditional forehead lift is usually one in which an open incision is created either in the middle of the forehead, at the hairline or behind the hairline. In each of those procedures, there is a longer scar and in the latter two, there is numbness created behind the scar. In the endoscopic approach, the incisions are oriented vertically and are separated from one another. This does not create numbness, usually, and has less risk of visible scarring. The other forehead lifting procedures are still a good option for some patients, but we prefer the endoscopic approach.

Natural Rejuvenation in Austin

If you would like to look like a younger, more vibrant version of yourself, then an endoscopic brow lift might be the perfect solution for you.

Our facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons are dedicated to giving their patients beautiful, natural results. To schedule a brow lift consultation with one of our surgeons in Austin, Texas, call 512-401-2500 today.

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