Browlift
As people age, wrinkles and drooping can occur around the brow as the facial skin loosens. Browlifts decrease this drooping and wrinkling by surgically altering the muscles and tissues above the eyes. A browlift is most commonly used to minimize the appearance of aging, and can help people of any age who have developed prominent frown lines.
People with low or heavy brows can achieve a more alert and youthful look, and the surgery can be done in conjunction with other procedures, such as facelifts or blepharoplasties in order to achieve a more youthful appearance over the entire face.
A browlift is usually quite successful at restoring a more youthful, refreshed look to the area above the eyes. Often, patients don't realize how much the wrinkled, loose skin on their forehead contributed to the appearance of aging until they see how much younger they appear after the lift.
The procedure
This procedure may be performed conventionally with an incision just behind the hairline, or using an endoscopic technique. The latter (also known as “keyhole surgery” or “minimally invasive surgery”) is where small incisions are made, and the surgery is performed by passing a camera and surgical instruments through these holes. A browlift is usually done in hospital under general anaesthetic, and takes one and a half to two hours to complete.
An incision is made behind the hairline and the muscles of the forehead that cause frowning are often altered. The skin of the forehead is repositioned upwards and any excess skin is removed very carefully, ensuring that when the incision is closed the forehead is the correct “tightness”.
Conventional browlift
An incision is made behind the hairline and the muscles of the forehead that cause frowning are often altered. The skin of the forehead is repositioned upwards and any excess skin is removed very carefully, ensuring that when the incision is closed the forehead is the correct “tightness”.
Endoscopic browlift
In this procedure, a few small incisions are made behind the hairline and an endoscope (a thin tube with a small camera attached) is placed under the skin in order to get a clear view of the muscles and tissues. The image is clearly displayed on a television screen and the surgeon uses this image to view the operating field. The surgeon then inserts other surgical instruments through a separate incision and using these instruments, they alter the muscles and underlying tissues. The forehead skin is tightened and elevated into a higher position.
After your surgery
Patients typically stay in hospital overnight so that medical staff can monitor their recovery. Dressings are changed in the days following surgery, and any sutures are removed 5 to 10 days following the procedure. After surgery there is usually minimal pain, and most of the visible signs of surgery should fade completely within about three weeks. Strenuous physical activity should be avoided for 2-3 weeks following the operation, and your surgeon will advise you as to when you can resume normal activities.
The long term outcome
The results of a forehead lift are different for every individual, and the procedure does not stop the aging process. How long the results last for will depend on the speed of aging for each individual, however, patients will always tend to look younger than if they had not had the procedure done. Typically after surgery the forehead is smoother and firmer, and there is a significant decrease in the number of wrinkles. Overall, the surgery gives patients a more youthful appearance and significantly reduces the signs of aging that occur in this region.
Risks and limitations
All surgery carries some risks, which include the possibility of post-operative infection, bleeding, excessive scarring and reaction to the anaesthetic. There are other risks that are more specific to this procedure, and it is important that you talk to your surgeon about the possible complications prior to surgery.
Pre-existing medical conditions can alter the level of risk associated with any procedure, and it is important that you notify your surgeon and anaesthetist of any medical problems prior to surgery. It is also important to follow your surgeon's instructions both before, and after, surgery to ensure that these risks are minimised.
It is important to keep in mind that browlifts improve, but do not eliminate, all the wrinkles and lines on your face. Other procedures such as injections of Botox or collagen may help to alleviate deep creases in the forehead, or frown lines between the eyebrows. Laser resurfacing may decrease the appearance of fine lines in other areas of the face, and Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is used to decrease signs of aging around the eyes, which include drooping excess skin and prominent pockets of fat in the eyelid.
Costs
The components that determine the cost of the procedure are the surgical theatre costs, hospital costs, anaesthetic fee and the surgeon's fee. Prices vary widely and depend on; the extent/complexity of the procedure, the physical attributes of individual patients, and the surgeon performing the operation. A browlift typically costs around $12000. Nova can assist with easy payment plans for your surgery.