Brow lift Forehead Lift
The
forehead is often the sight of transverse wrinkles and frown lines between
the eyes. With aging, the eyebrows begin to sag, producing a sad, tired
appearance to the eyes.
A forehead/brow lift is performed to improve the wrinkles in these areas
by removing selected muscles, which cause these wrinkles, and releasing
tissues to allow redraping of the forehead skin.
It is often combined with Eyelid Surgery or Laser Skin Resurfacing. Classically,
the operation was performed through an incision placed across the scalp
between the ears. The corrugator and procerus muscles( which cause the vertical
and horizontal wrinkles overlying the nose between the eyes) are removed.
The forehead tissue is released from its attachments to the forehead, allowing
the skin to be redraped, tightened, and the excess removed. However, the
incision leads to loss of scalp sensation and hair loss at the incision.
The Endoscopic Surgery technique, which has largely replaced the classic
technique, is performed through three half-inch incisions. It has revolutionized
this technique allowing similar results with minimal complications. However,
if one has severe transverse wrinkling of the forehead, then a classical
forehead lift may be necessary.
The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia with deep sedation
or general anesthesia. Surgical time is 1 to 2 hours. After the surgery,
one may have swelling and discoloration of the skin. The swelling may involve
the eyelids and face. This will gradually improve. Sutures are removed in
7 to 10 days. Strenuous activity is restricted for six weeks. Makeup can
be applied after three days. Complications are rare with the endoscopic
technique. The traditional complications of loss of scalp sensation, or
loss of hair are almost nonexistent. Bleeding, infection, and rarely nerve
injury are possible. -
