Forehead Lift (Brow Lift)
The forehead lift is a cosmetic procedure targeting facial wrinkles and the visible signs of aging. Also known as a browlift, forehead lifts focus on improving the appearance of deep lines in the forehead. Often known as “worry lines,” many Staten Island patients feel that these lines make them look tired, frustrated, or older than they feel. Worry lines appear because the muscles underneath this area lose their strength as part of the natural aging process. In a similar manner as a facelift, the forehead lift is able to lift and smooth this problem area, raising the eyebrows to a more elevated position while reducing the appearance of worry lines.
Is a Forehead Lift Right for Me?
Forehead lifts are most often performed to lift the eyebrows while reducing forehead wrinkles. In Staten Island, forehead lifts are also performed to elevate drooping eyebrows that are interfering with vision. You may be a good candidate for a brow lift if you feel that your facial appearance causes you to look angry, hostile, or fatigued, even when you are well-rested. Although most patients in Staten Island undergoing forehead lifts are between 40 and 60 years old and are starting to notice the visible signs of aging, younger patients can also benefit from the smoothing of frown lines caused by muscle activity or heredity.
If you are considering undergoing a forehead lift, ask your Staten Island surgeon for forehead lift before after photos. Plastic surgery is both an art and a science; you must be able to trust your chosen surgeon to sculpt your face in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
Procedure Details
In Staten Island, NY, forehead lifts are typically performed with general anesthesia, although it is also possible to perform this procedure with twilight sedation. Most browlifts take about two hours. There are several potential incision patterns that can be used to provide the surgeon access to underlying tissues. This decision depends on the degree of change desired and the area of the forehead requiring the most surgical work.
The two main types of forehead lifts in Staten Island are endoscopic and open. During endoscopic surgery, the excess tissue is removed through a thin tube with a camera attachment. Otherwise, the procedure is known as an open forehead lift, a technique requiring a slightly larger incision. During his procedure, the incision typically runs from one ear to the other behind the hairline. Endoscopic surgery requires incisions that are usually placed either within the forehead wrinkles or behind the hairline.
Now, the surgeon's work includes the gentle removal of excess fat, muscle, and skin. The muscles causing frown lines can be loosened, causing these wrinkles to relax. The remaining tissues can be re-contoured to provide a smoother forehead appearance, and the eyebrows may be repositioned to an elevated forehead position. The final step is closing the incisions using sutures.
Recovery After a Brow Lift
After forehead lift procedures, Staten Island patients can expect some degree of:
* Swelling
* Bruising
* Discomfort or soreness
* Numbness or tightness near incision locations
* Sun sensitivity in treated areas of skin
These side effects are temporary, and will gradually subside over the next several weeks. Camouflage makeup can be worn to disguise residual bruising. Most patients in Staten Island, New York return to normal activity levels, including work or school, in two weeks or less, although direct sun exposure and vigorous activities should be avoided for at least six weeks. |