Quick Facts
- Procedure: Outpatient
- Anesthesia: General or local anesthesia with sedation
- Duration of Procedure: About 90 minutes
- Initial Recovery Phase: About 10 days
- Results: Apparent immediately, but continue to improve as post-op symptoms subside
Dual-trained plastic and head and neck surgeon Dr. Sean Maguire performs cosmetic brow lift surgery at Physician’s Center for Beauty. With surgical brow lift, Dr. Maguire lifts a drooping eyebrow line. The result is a refreshed, relaxed appearance overall.
What Is Achieved With Brow Lift Surgery?
Dr. Maguire offers cosmetic brow lift surgery for patients with a drooping brow line that hangs too low over the eyes, perhaps even interfering with the line of sight. Lifting a sagging brow line helps correct the look of deeply set forehead wrinkles, including horizontal forehead furrows, which can make individuals appear frustrated, concerned or depressed. Brow lift surgery can also improve the vertical lines that often develop between the eyebrows; as well as crow’s feet, the cluster of fine lines that develop near the outside corners of the eyes. Whether the sagging brow line is a hereditary trait that developed during the patient’s younger years or a more recent development that has occurred with age, surgical brow lift is an effective solution.
What Happens During Brow Lift Surgery?
When medically appropriate for the patient, Dr. Maguire takes the endoscopic approach to cosmetic brow lift surgery. Endoscopic brow lift surgery involves the use of several small incisions, placed above the hairline, through which Dr. Maguire inserts his surgical instruments. One of the principal instruments that the surgeon uses is an endoscope, as the name of this method suggests. An endoscope is a thin, long surgical device that has a camera positioned on the end of it. The camera transmits a video feed from inside the treatment area onto a screen in the operating room, allowing Dr. Maguire to monitor the progress of surgery.
Endoscopic surgery is less invasive than conventional “open” surgery, which involves the use of one longer incision that runs along the inside of the hairline (i.e., a headphone-shaped, or coronal, incision). Thanks to the smaller incisions used in endoscopic procedures, the recovery period is generally faster and less intense. Both the endoscopic and traditional approaches produce the same rejuvenating surgical outcomes.
However, Dr. Maguire might recommend using a trichophytic, or wavy incision, for individuals with a hairline that is positioned too high to accommodate the endoscopic approach to brow lift surgery. Using a trichophytic incision placed along the hairline helps reduce the height of the forehead skin.
Patients who do not have vertical wrinkles in between the eyebrows might be appropriate candidates for a modified version of brow lift surgery called temporal brow lift. This approach involves the use of shorter incisions, which are positioned within the scalp area, at the temples of the forehead. This approach is less invasive than the other techniques, but it only raises the outer section of the eyebrow line and is therefore not appropriate for patients with more complex forehead rejuvenation needs.
During consultation, Dr. Maguire evaluates the patient’s forehead area, including the degree of rejuvenation required and the height of the forehead, to establish an appropriate treatment plan that will allow the individual to achieve his or her desired outcome. Dr. Maguire may also suggest combining brow lift surgery with an adjunct procedure, such as BOTOX Cosmetic treatment, to maximize the rejuvenating benefits of surgery and to help prevent “worry” lines (forehead furrows) from reappearing. Or, he might suggest undergoing combination brow lift and eyelid surgery to provide a rested, rejuvenated look throughout the upper region of the face.
Browlift FAQs
What is the Recovery Process for a Browlift?
Dr. Maguire will give you detailed instructions for browlift recovery, including how to care for the area and potential concerns to watch for that warrant a call to our Louisville office. You may have tape on your forehead and head with a loose bandage to help reduce bruising and swelling after your browlift. Some patients may have a thin drainage tube to prevent excess fluid and blood from building up under the skin.
Our plastic surgeon may prescribe short-term pain medications, and you can use over-the-counter drugs to ease your discomfort during the first few days of recovery from a forehead lift. Elevate your head and avoid heavy exercise and physical activity until Dr. Maguire clears you to resume your routine.
The initial recovery for a browlift takes around 10 to 14 days, and clips, stitches or sutures will be removed by this time. After two weeks, most patients feel comfortable going in public, and makeup can cover the residual bruising and swelling.
What’s the Difference Between a Browlift and Blepharoplasty?
A brow lift, or forehead lift, elevates drooping eyebrows to a more youthful position. The procedure reduces lines and wrinkles in the upper face, including horizontal forehead creases and frown lines (or 11s) between the brows. The goal is to provide an alert appearance that eliminates the tired, angry and sad look that often comes with age.
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, focuses on the upper and/or lower eyelids. An upper eyelid lift addresses ptosis (drooping) that can impact vision and make you appear tired. The lower eyelid lift reduces under-eye bags, puffiness and other cosmetic concerns.
These facial plastic surgeries can be combined to fully rejuvenate the tissues around the eyes, brows and forehead.
When Can I Return to Work After a Browlift?
People who work low-activity jobs, such as computer work, can typically return one to two weeks after a browlift. If your profession requires heavy lifting or hazards that may irritate your upper face, you may need to wait longer to return to your workplace. Dr. Maguire can help you determine when it’s safe to return to a high-impact job.
How Long Will My Browlift Results Last?
You will notice an immediate difference in your forehead and eyebrow area. As the swelling and bruising dissipate in the coming weeks, you’ll glimpse more of your browlift results, with the full surgical outcome settling in after a few months.
Your browlift results may last 10 to 12 years. With a healthy lifestyle and proper sun protection, you can enjoy a youthful, well-rested appearance for even longer.
Will I Have Visible Scars After Browlift?
Dr. Maguire prefers to perform an endoscopic browlift when possible. This technique uses small incisions above your hairline to conceal the resulting scars. An endoscopic lift is less invasive than the traditional method, offering a shorter recovery and fewer scars. The conventional browlift hides the coronal incision within the hairline, but it is a longer scar.
Your browlift scars will fade with time and good skincare.
How Much Does a Browlift Cost?
The cost of facial plastic surgery, such as a browlift, involves more than the plastic surgeon’s fees. There are surgical facility costs, pre-operative testing, post-surgical recovery garments, medications, anesthesia fees and more involved in the total amount. The surgical technique used will also influence the browlift price. Dr. Maguire and our team at the Physician’s Center for Beauty can provide a cost estimate during your consultation and discuss your financing options.
Eliminate Frustrating Forehead Furrows
With brow lift surgery, individuals can achieve an elevated eyebrow line and eliminate frustrating forehead furrows, for a more youthful, worry-free appearance. To schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Maguire to find out more about cosmetic brow lift surgery, contact Physician’s Center for Beauty.
