Forehead and brow lift surgery gives your face a younger and fresher appearance by lifting the skin above your eyes. In this procedure, drooping brows and forehead skin are lifted, minimizing the lines and wrinkles that make you look angry, tired, or sad.
What is a forehead and brow lift?
In a forehead/brow lift operation, the muscles and tissues that cause wrinkles or sagging are removed or modified. This smooths the forehead skin, lifts the brows, and minimizes wrinkles between the eyebrows. The forehead/brow lift can be performed using an endoscopic method or the traditional technique, which involves a hidden incision behind the hairline. Both techniques achieve similar results: smoother forehead skin and a more refreshed appearance.
What is endoscopic brow lifting and brow suspension?
An endoscope is an imaging device that allows the procedure to be performed with minimal incisions. The endoscopic technique requires small incisions instead of one long cut, and the operation is conducted under the skin with the help of a camera. On the other hand, brow suspension is a relatively simple procedure. A cord is inserted through a small incision on the scalp, carried to the tip of the brow, and then the brow is lifted. Although simple, its effects are not permanent.
Who is the best candidate for a forehead/brow lift?
The forehead/brow lift operation can be performed on individuals of any age. The operation aims to minimize the visible effects of aging. However, it can also be performed on anyone who develops forehead or frown lines due to stress or muscle activity. People with sagging forehead skin or deep wrinkles over the nose due to hereditary reasons can also achieve a fresher and younger appearance through this procedure.
Is a forehead/brow lift suitable for me, and will it be satisfactory?
The forehead/brow lift operation is suitable for those seeking minimal recovery time. However, it is often performed in combination with a facelift to improve the overall facial appearance. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) can also be performed alongside a forehead lift, especially for individuals with a significant skin fold on the upper eyelids. In some cases, we may recommend
a forehead lift
as a more suitable option for patients who believe they need upper eyelid surgery.
What kind of procedure is used in a forehead/brow lift?
Two methods are used in forehead/brow lift operations: the classic method and the endoscopic method.
Classic forehead lift: Before the operation, your hair is tied with rubber bands on both sides of the incision line. The hair on the forehead is not cut, but the hair just in front of the incision line may be trimmed. A circular incision is typically made. This incision begins near the ear, runs along the top of the forehead, and ends at the opposite side of the head. The incision usually falls well behind the hairline, making it invisible. Through this incision, the forehead skin is carefully lifted, and the underlying tissue can be removed or the forehead muscles loosened and modified. The brows may also be lifted, and excess skin is trimmed at the incision site to create a smoother, younger appearance. The incision is then closed with stitches or clips. Your face and hair are washed to prevent irritation, and the rubber bands in your hair are removed. The incision areas are wrapped with elastic bandages.
Endoscopic forehead lift: In this method, the hair is pushed back, and the hair in the incision area behind the hairline is shaved. Instead of one long, circular incision, three to five small incisions, each less than 2.5 cm, are made in the scalp. A pen-sized camera called an endoscope is inserted through one incision, providing a clear view of the muscles and tissues beneath the skin on a monitor. Another instrument, inserted through a different incision, is used to lift the forehead skin and remove or modify the muscles and tissues underneath to create a smoother appearance. The brows can also be lifted and repositioned using subcutaneous stitches or temporary fixation screws placed behind the hairline. Once the lifting is complete, the incisions on the scalp are closed with stitches or clips, and the area is washed. The incision areas are wrapped with elastic bandages.
What if I don't have enough hair to hide the incision?
We can also perform a
forehead lift
on patients with hair loss, a receded hairline, or those who have had upper eyelid surgery. In these cases, slightly adjusting the incision site or limiting the scope of the operation is often sufficient. If you have hair loss on the forehead, we position the surgical incision right along the hairline to prevent further hair loss in the area. In patients with no hair or significant hair thinning, sometimes an incision is made along the natural curve of the skull in the middle of the scalp. This allows the hair to be styled forward, making surgical scars relatively less noticeable. In male patients, where haircuts typically make it harder to cover incisions, a special plan may be necessary to conceal surgical scars.
How should I prepare for a forehead/brow lift?
If you are taking blood-thinning medications, you should inform us. Additionally, since smoking slows post-operative healing, we recommend quitting smoking in advance. If your hair is very short, you may prefer to let it grow before surgery to help conceal surgical marks during recovery.
Where is the forehead/brow lift operation performed?
The forehead/brow lift operation is performed in the operating room of a fully equipped hospital. However, if the procedure is limited to brow suspension, it can also be performed in an office setting.
Will I need anesthesia?
If the procedure is limited to brow lifting or suspension, it can be performed under local anesthesia or heavy sedatives. In other cases, a forehead/brow lift operation is typically performed under general anesthesia.
How long does the surgery take?
Depending on the procedure, the operation takes between half an hour and two hours. If limited to brow lifting or suspension, it takes about half an hour.
A forehead lift
or endoscopic forehead lift takes 1–1.5 hours.
How long will I stay in the hospital after surgery?
You may need to stay in the hospital for one night after a forehead/brow lift operation, but most patients can return home the same day.
Will I feel pain after surgery?
Forehead lifts
and suspension procedures are generally painless. However, mild pain and discomfort may occur after endoscopic forehead lifts. This pain can be managed with painkillers.
Will there be any scarring after a forehead/brow lift?
In general, forehead/brow lift operations do not leave wide or noticeable scars. Wide scar formation is a rare complication. If this occurs, the wide scar tissue can be surgically removed and replaced with a finer scar. Some patients may also experience hair loss around the incision area, but this is usually temporary.
What should I expect after surgery?
There may be noticeable differences in the immediate post-operative condition of a patient who has undergone a classic forehead lift compared to one who has had endoscopic surgery.
A patient who has had a classic forehead lift may experience some numbness and temporary discomfort at the incision sites, but these issues can be managed with medication. You may need to keep your head elevated for 2 or 3 days to minimize post-operative swelling. Swelling may occur around the cheeks and eyes, but it usually subsides within a week. As the nerves heal, the numbness on the top of your scalp may be replaced by an itching sensation. It may take up to 6 months for these complaints to completely resolve. Bandages are removed one or two days after the procedure. Most stitches and clips are removed within two weeks, sometimes in two stages. There may be some hair loss around the incision site and temporary hair thinning. Generally, hair starts to regrow within a few weeks or months. Permanent hair loss is rare. Patients who undergo endoscopic forehead lifts may experience numbness, discomfort, and mild swelling at the incision site. Pain at the incision site is usually minimal and can be controlled with medication if needed. Patients who undergo endoscopic forehead lifts typically experience less itching than those who have classic lifts. Stitches or clips used to close the incisions are generally removed within a week, while fixation screws are removed after two weeks.
When can I return to my normal life?
Although you will return to your normal activity level within a few days, you should avoid overexerting yourself for at least a week after surgery. You are expected to shower and use shampoo a few days after surgery or as soon as the bandages are removed. Most patients can return to work or school within 7 to 10 days. This recovery period is typically even shorter for endoscopic patients. You should avoid running, stretching exercises, heavy housework, sexual activity, or other activities that might raise your blood pressure for a few weeks. Prolonged exposure to heat and sunlight should also be avoided for several months. Most visible scars are expected to disappear completely within about 3 weeks. Mild swelling and bruising can be concealed using special camouflage makeup.
What possible adverse effects might occur after surgery?
In rare cases, damage may occur to the nerves controlling eyebrow movement on one or both sides. Particularly in classic forehead surgeries, numbness frequently occurs along or near the incision line. This complaint is usually temporary but may become permanent in some patients. Infection and bleeding are extremely rare but should still be considered.
Will I be able to maintain my new appearance?
You will maintain the appearance you gain with a forehead/brow lift for a long time. While aging will continue and minimal changes may occur in the lifted area, the positive effects will be long-lasting. Improvements from the brow suspension method usually revert within 1 or 2 years and require another procedure.
What can I do to maintain the results of the surgery?
No matter which surgical method is used, most of our patients are satisfied with the results of their forehead lift procedures. Patients are often surprised to realize how much older they looked due to sagging in their forehead areas and how much younger they appear after a lifting operation. Although a forehead lift doesn’t stop time, it can significantly minimize the visible effects of aging. In fact, you may wish to have this surgery again in the future.
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