Procedure Description: A forehead lift will surgically alter the muscles and tissues that cause wrinkling and/or drooping in the area above the eyes. For a conventional forehead lift (also called a coronal browlift), the surgeon makes an incision behind the hairline, from ear to ear. For men with a receding hairline or women with thinning hair, the incision may be placed at the hairline instead, in order to avoid adding more height to the forehead. Next, the skin of the forehead is lifted away from the underlying muscles. The excess skin is trimmed away, and the incision is closed with sutures (stitches), clips or staples. Finally, the surgeon may cover the incision with gauze padding and wrap the head in an elastic bandage. If bandages are used, they can usually be removed a day or two after surgery.
There is also an open technique for the brow, 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).
Length of Procedure: The procedure can take between one and three hours.
Recovery: After this procedure, you may experience some numbness and discomfort around the incision, which can be controlled with prescription medication. If you are prone to headaches, you may be given an additional local anesthetic during surgery as a preventive measure. Swelling may extend to the cheeks and eyes; although, this should resolve within 10 to 14 days. As the nerves begin to heal, the numbness may be replaced by itching. You should keep your head elevated for two to three days after surgery to reduce swelling. You will be able to shower and shampoo your hair within two days, or as soon as the bandage is removed. You will probably be able to return to (sedentary) work within 7 to 10 days.
Risks: Complications are usually minor when a forehead lift is performed by surgeons experienced in the procedure. In rare cases, the nerves that control eyebrow movement may be injured, resulting in a loss of ability to raise the eyebrows or wrinkle the forehead. Additional surgery may correct the problem. A broad scar may form after surgery. Additional surgery may correct the problem. Some people experience hair loss along the edges of a scar. Loss of feeling commonly occurs along or just beyond the incision line. This is usually temporary, but may become permanent. Infection and bleeding are rare possibilities. Smoking can increase complications from all types of surgeries, but particularly from those procedures that involve undermining the skin, such as a browlift.
Results:A forehead lift is usually quite successful at restoring a more youthful, refreshed look to the area above the eyes. While this procedure cannot stop the aging process, it can often make a person appear to be a decade younger than their actual age. Many people only have one lift in a lifetime, while others have a second surgery seven to 15 years later. The results of a forehead lift are different for every individual. Remember that a forehead lift cannot stop the aging process, but your forehead will always be smoother and firmer than it would be if you hadn’t had this procedure.
Estimated Cost: The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports in its 2007 statistics that the average surgeon’s fee in the U.S. for forehead lift is $3,092.
