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| A forehead
lift or "browlift"
is a procedure that restores a more youthful, refreshed look
to the forehead and upper eye area. The procedure corrects drooping
brows and improves the horizontal lines and furrows that can
make a person appear angry, sad or tired. Whether a traditional,
“open” surgery method is used or
an endoscopic forehead |
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lift is performed, the result is smoother
forehead skin and a more refreshed look. For a better understanding
of how a forehead lift might change your appearance, look into a mirror
and place the palms of your hands at the outer edges of your eyes,
above your eyebrows. Gently draw the skin up to raise the brow and
the forehead area. That is what a forehead lift may do for you. |
| A forehead
lift is most commonly performed on patients 40 to 60 years old to
decrease the visible effects of aging. It can also help people of
any age who have developed furrows or frown lines due to stress or
muscle activity. Individuals with inherited conditions, such as a
low, heavy brow or furrowed lines above the nose, can achieve a more
alert and refreshed look with this procedure. |
| Forehead
lifts are often performed in conjunction with a facelift to provide
a smoother overall look to the face or with eyelid surgery, especially
if you have significant skin overhang in the upper eyelids. Sometimes,
patients who believe they need upper-eyelid surgery find that a forehead
lift better meets their surgical goals. Patients who are bald, who
have a receding hairline, or who have had previous upper-eyelid surgery
may still be good candidates for forehead lift. |
The
Procedure
The procedure minimizes forehead
creases, drooping eyebrows, hooding over eyes, furrowed forehead and
frown lines by removing excess tissue, altering muscles and tightening
the forehead skin. Browlifts may be performed using the traditional
technique, with an incision across the top of the head just behind
the hairline, or with the use of an endoscope (a pencil-like camera
device connected to a television monitor), which requires three to
five smaller incisions. Dr. Frost will determine which method better
fits your medical circumstances and can drive stronger results. A
browlift typically takes one hour and is accompanied by general anesthesia
or sedation. |
Preparing
for Surgery
You will be provided with specific instructions on how to prepare
for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking,
and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. If your hair
is very short, you might want to let it grow out before surgery, so
that it's long enough to hide the scars while they heal. You should
arrange for someone to drive you home after the surgery and to help
you out for the next couple of days, if needed. |
| Risks |
• Temporary
swelling
• Numbness
• Headaches
•
Bruising
• Possible itching and hair loss (with traditional
surgery methods)
• Injury to facial nerves, causing
loss of motion, muscle weakness or asymmetrical look
•
Infection
• Broad or excessive scarring |
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Recovery
Patients are usually back to work in seven to 10 days with traditional
surgery and even sooner with an endoscopic forehead lift. More strenuous
activity can be resumed in several weeks and full recovery from bruising
should occur within two to three weeks. All browlift patients should
limit their sun exposure for several months. |
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