Procedure Description: A browlift is a procedure designed to raise the eyebrows, smooth the forehead and reduce signs of aging. Surgeons experienced in the browlift can do it a variety of ways. The traditional, more invasive approach (which is less popular today) involves making a large incision, which can cause more side effects. The contemporary endoscopic browlift is less invasive and involves smaller incisions, but results might not be as dramatic as those with the traditional approach.
There is also an open technique, called trichophytic, which is less invasive than the traditional open browlift, because the incisions are shorter and are located behind the hairline. The trichophytic approach is a good choice to address forehead wrinkles and correct the brows, but it does not raise the hairline (which other browlifts do).
When performing the endoscopic browlift, your surgeon will probably make about four small incisions behind your hairline. Your hair will hide these incisions. A tiny camera, called an endoscope, and operating instruments are inserted through these incisions. The surgeon can weaken muscles that cause a scowling appearance and can lift the forehead, but may not be able to alter muscles that cause horizontal lines on the forehead. Excess skin is usually not removed with an endoscopic browlift. Some surgeons feel that although the endoscopic technique is less invasive, it may not provide results that last as long as open brow procedures.
Length of Procedure: The length of time required to complete a browlift depends on the technique used, but it usually takes 1 to 2 hours.
Recovery: You will probably go home the day of your browlift surgery, after you have recovered from anesthesia. Your surgeon will give you instructions on how to care for your incisions and your face in the days following your surgery. These instructions will also tell you when you can safely wash your hair. These instructions may include information on the use of pain relievers and cold compresses to your face. Your face will be bruised and swollen for a few days after browlift. To reduce swelling, you may be instructed to keep your head elevated for a couple of days and sleep with several pillows. You will probably be asked to return to see your surgeon within a few days of surgery. Most patients experience minor pain and swelling in the initial days after the browlift procedure. However, this is minimal and can be eased by taking pain relievers. Your surgeon may give you a prescription for a pain medication. Most patients feel well enough to return to work after about a week. Full recovery from browlift surgery takes about two weeks. However, you may be instructed to avoid strenuous activity (heavy lifting or extremely active sports) for longer.
Risks: All surgery carries some risk. A browlift is a surgery like any other and comes with the same risks inherent to any surgery. Complications such as excessive bleeding, infection, nerve damage, loss of sensation, asymmetry of the face and tissue necrosis (areas of dead tissue) can occur as a result of a browlift. Another potential side effect of browlift surgery is loss of hair along the incision lines. This can include loss of the hair on the head or facial hair, such as eyelashes and eyebrows. Very rarely, this loss is permanent.
Results: The benefits of a browlift procedure are a younger and refreshed appearance. You may also look more relaxed, since lines and furrows on the forehead may be making you look worried or angry when you are not. The results of a browlift are immediate, but you may not see them fully until the swelling goes down. Full results should be visible in a few weeks. You are going to continue to age, and as you do, your forehead and brows will start to droop. Still, the results of most browlifts last a long time.
Estimated Cost: The total cost of an endoscopic browlift can range from $3,000 to $5,000.
