Forehead Brow Lift | Doctors & Treatment Information

Definition

With age, the tension of the forehead and the dynamics of the facial muscles decrease. This results in more pronounced transverse wrinkles in the forehead area. Examples include frown lines (vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows) and crow's feet (wrinkles to the side of the eyes).

At the same time, the eyebrows and eyelids lower. However, these are not drooping eyelids , but a misalignment of the eyelids.

Therefore, even a tightening of the age-related drooping upper eyelid cannot eliminate the problem of negatively tired, rather sad eyes.

This requires a procedure that lifts both the forehead and the eyebrow area in a single operation. The appropriate procedure is called a forehead brow lift.

An incision in the hairline (hairline cut) separates the forehead skin from the underlying muscles. The doctor then repositions the eyebrows and thus corrects the lowering of the eyebrows. The forehead is thus tightened.

The procedure can be extended by lifting sagging cheek areas, which is known as an "upper face lift".

The operation preserves the sensitivity of the skin and natural facial expressions. In order to avoid unnatural, operated-looking facial features , the surgeon must have a keen awareness of aesthetics. It is also important that the surgeon adapts the operation to the individual anatomical conditions.

Compared to alternative methods, the forehead brow lift is the procedure that is gentler on the nerves and has fewer complications. The surgeon is more flexible in repositioning the brows. The advantage of the forehead brow lift with hairline cut is that there are no visible scars in the eyebrow area.

Reasons for the treatment

Age-related facial changes often create a tired appearance.

These include

• Drooping eyebrows
• Smaller eyes
• Wrinkles and wrinkles

The aesthetic aspect is therefore the main reason why people undergo a brow lift. After the operation, the facial expression is more youthful, dynamic and fresh, according to experts. There are no unnatural-looking facial features.

The aims of the operation are

• Elimination of age-related facial wrinkles (crow's feet, frown lines, transverse wrinkles)
• Elimination of drooping eyelids (pseudoblepharochalasis)
• Lifting of the eyebrow area, which usually sinks to the side
• If necessary, reduction (or enlargement) of the forehead height and correction of any receding hairline
• Correction of the sagging cheek area

Crow's feet can be eliminated with a forehead brow lift @ Lustre /AdobeStock

The procedure is used for women and men. In men with hair loss, the scar may be visible.

In this case, doctors can conceal the scar by micro-transplanting the patient's own hair. Micro hair transplantation can also be used to rejuvenate the face of men who have a high forehead or receding hairline.

Hair micro-transplantation helps men to hide scars @ Cavan /AdobeStock

A scientific study has shown that tightening the face also brings about positive changes for third parties.

Respondents to the study rated people as being on average four years younger after undergoing facial rejuvenation. They were also rated more positively in terms of attractiveness, health and self-confidence.

Who is the brow lift not suitable for?

If the drooping eyelids are drooping eyelids, the forehead and eyebrow lift is not suitable. In this case, the surgeon must remove the excess eyelid skin and correct the bulging fatty tissue and the sagging eye sphincter.

People with an increased surgical risk should only consider this procedure after careful examination and after weighing up the advantages and disadvantages.

The surgical method in detail

Before the operation, a detailed examination (blood test, blood pressure and ECG) should be carried out by the general practitioner.

To reduce the risk of complications, patients must stop taking blood-thinning medication (such as ASA) three weeks before the operation.

Patients should stop smokingfour weeks before the operation.

The surgical procedure:

1. The operation is performed under analgosedation (elimination of pain with medication and dampening of consciousness). The patient is not intubated but breathes independently.
2. The doctor then makes the incision at the hairline. In rare cases, between the hairs. This gentle incision means that the scars are not visible later on.
3. A direct brow lift, on the other hand, leaves clearly visible scars as the incision is made directly above the eyebrow.
4. First, the doctor loosens the muscle attachment to the forehead skin. He then repositions the eyebrows and tightens the forehead without moving the hairline.
5. As these muscles are not completely severed or removed, a natural appearance is retained. He can also shape the eyebrows into any desired form and position.
6. After the operation, he sutures the incision and applies a special head bandage, which the patient wears for a few days.

Behavior after the operation

As a rule, the patient can wash their hair again one day after the operation.

They can also leave the clinic one day later .

The wound is checked and the stitches are removed on an outpatient basis on the tenth day.

Normal everyday activities are usually possible after seven to 14 days.

Patients are not allowed to dye their hair or have a permfor four to six weeks.

They should also refrain from sport, sunbathing and going to the sauna for this period.

Complications, risks & prognosis

• After the operation, the change is usually unfamiliar. The mobility of the head and facial expressions may be restricted.
• There may also be slight sensory disturbances in the forehead and pain.
• Initial swelling and bruising are common in older people.
• If the operation is not performed correctly, there is a risk of injured nerves. The consequences are permanent sensory disturbances or numbness.
• In rare cases, the procedure can also lead to secondary bleeding, circulatory disorders and infections.
• A non-infection-related disruption of wound healing (wound edge necrosis) can also occur, but is rare. If this is the case, it occurs in patients with a predisposition (heavy smokers and diabetics).
• Occasionally, unsightly and visible scars can occur, which do not improve even with scar correction. A micro-transplant of the patient's own hair helps to conceal the scars in the hair.

The effects of the procedure improve over the first few days and usually disappear after ten to 14 days.

Overall, the forehead and eyebrow lift is a low-complication and low-risk plastic and aesthetic surgery procedure.

If correctly indicated, planned and performed, it can lead to positive aesthetic results in the long term. However, the rejuvenation effect is not permanent, as the ageing process continues. Another lift is possible again.