Browlift

• About Brow lift Surgery
• Are you a Candidate?
• About the Operation
• What to Expect After Surgery
• Your Recovery
• Possible Complications

About Brow Lift Surgery 

A brow lift, which is also known as a forehead lift, is a procedure that corrects drooping brows and improves the horizontal lines and furrows above the eyes that can make a person appear sad, angry, or tired. Raising the eyebrows and minimizing forehead creases can help restore a more refreshed and youthful appearance.

In most cases, the muscles and tissues that cause the furrowing or drooping are either removed or altered in order to smooth the forehead, raise the eyebrows and minimize frown lines.

Are You a Candidate for Brow Lift Surgery?

Most candidates for brow lift surgery tend to be between forty and sixty and seek to reduce the visible signs of aging. It can also help individuals of any age who have developed furrows or other lines prematurely, whether through genetics or lifestyle.

At the time of your consultation, Dr. Javaheri will ask you about your general medical history, specifically pertaining to any medical conditions that could cause problems during or after your surgery, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or a tendency to form excessive scars.

If you are a smoker you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. Regular smoking constricts blood vessels resulting in decreased blood flow to a given area, which can prevent normal healing.

About the Operation

The Classic Forehead Lift:

Prior to your procedure, your hair will be pulled back and secured on either side of the incision line. It will not be necessary to shave your head, but any hair growing directly in front of the incision line may need to be trimmed.

A coronal incision will be used for most patients, which resembles the shape of most headphones, starting at around ear level and running across the top of the forehead and down the other side. In order to reduce the visibility of any scarring, the incision is usually made behind the hairline. Patients with a receding hairline or who are bald will have an alternative incision made based on the best option to reduce any visible scarring.

Following the incision, the skin of your forehead will be carefully lifted so that the underlying tissue can be removed and the muscles of the forehead can be adjusted. Your eyebrows may also be elevated and any excess skin at the incision point will be removed.

The incision is then sealed with either stitches or clips. Your face and hair will be washed to prevent irritation. If necessary, dressings will be applied to assist with the healing process.

In most cases, the procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and only requires a local anesthetic combined with a sedative. However, in some cases, a general anesthesia may be recommended.

Please note: if you have very short hair, it is recommended that you allow your hair to grow out prior to your surgery in order that it is long enough to hide the scars during the healing process.

Endoscopic Forehead Lift

This type of forehead lift involves the placement of an endoscope to visualize the anatomy and aid in the dissection of tissues and the lift. The resultant forehead is then secured through various techniques to preserve the lift.

What to Expect After the Surgery

Most patients experience some temporary numbness and discomfort around the incision, which can be alleviated with prescription medication, following the procedure. After several days, your scalp will become very itchy, and it may take as long as six months before this sensation completely disappears.

You will be instructed to keep your head elevated for two to three days following your surgery to reduce swelling. The swelling should start to disappear after about one week.

Any bandages will be removed after one to two days. Most stitches or clips will be removed within two weeks.

Your Recovery

After your procedure, some of your hair around the incision may fall out and/or may temporarily become thinner. Normal hair growth will usually resume after a few weeks, although sometimes it may take as long as several months. Permanent hair loss is extremely rare.

Most patients are usually up and about a day or two following their procedure. You should plan to rest for at least one week during your initial recovery. You should also be able to shower and shampoo your hair within a couple of days, or as soon as the bandages are removed.

Most patients can return to work after seven to ten days. Please note that any extreme physical activity should avoided for several weeks including exercise, housework, sex or any activity that increases your blood pressure. Also, prolonged exposure to heat or sun should be avoided for at least three months.

Possible Complications

Individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions, and their healing abilities, and the outcome is never completely predictable. As with any surgical procedure, the risk of infection is always a possibility. This can be minimized by the preventative administration of antibiotics both at the time of your surgery and while in recovery. However, on occasion, mild infection can occur and is relatively common, although it usually subsides after two weeks.

In extremely rare cases, the nerves that control eyebrow movement may be damaged on one or both sides resulting in the inability to wrinkle the forehead or raise one or both eyebrows. Additional surgery may be required to correct this condition.

Another rare complication is the formation of a broad scar, which may also require additional corrective surgery. In addition, some patients experience minor hair loss, and/or the loss of sensation along the scar line, though this is usually temporary, but can in some instances become permanent.

Call 415.923.3800 to schedule an appointment to discuss a brow lift in San Francisco or Berkeley