What Is a Brow Lift?
Although a brow lift is a popular face procedure, it is important to note that a forehead lift is different from a blepharoplasty.
A brow lift helps reduce the appearance of a heavy, sagging brow. It raises drooping eyebrows, minimizes deep furrows and rejuvenates the eyes.
During an eyebrow lift procedure, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon like Dr. Babak Azizzadeh makes small incisions along a patient’s scalp and uses an endoscope (a slender, flexible tube that has a light and camera attached to it) to view the treatment area on a TV screen. In many instances, a brow lift will be performed on an individual between the ages of 40 and 65 years old. However, if needed, an eyebrow lift may be performed at an earlier age.
Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, involves the removal of excess fat, skin and muscle around the eyes. Two types of blepharoplasty surgeries are available:
- Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty: Eliminates excess skin, muscle folds and fat that usually are found in the corner of the eye.
- Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty: Removes excess fat deposits that cause puffiness of the lower eyelids.
During a blepharoplasty, a surgeon takes precautions to avoid removing too much skin and fat from the eyes; otherwise, the surgeon risks changing the shape of their patient’s eye. As a blepharoplasty expert, Dr. Azizzadeh typically doesn’t remove much fat, but instead repositions it so that the eyes are fuller and youthful.
As part of an initial consultation, Dr. Azizzadeh can explain the differences between brow lift and blepharoplasty treatments. By doing so, Dr. Azizzadeh and his patient can work together to determine which procedure will deliver the optimal results.
Benefits of a Brow Lift
A forehead lift offers many benefits, including:
- Enhanced Facial Appearance: Frown lines and wrinkles across the forehead may make an individual look older than his or her actual age. A brow lift helps a person eliminate these signs of aging, delivering an improved facial appearance.
- Brighter, More Youthful Eyes: For many patients, the eyes appear brighter and more naturally alert after a brow lift surgery.
- Increased Self-Confidence: A forehead lift surgery may help a person feel better about his or her facial appearance, leading to increased self-confidence.
A facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon like Dr. Babak Azizzadeh will outline the benefits of eyebrow lift surgery during an initial consultation. At this time, the surgeon will respond to an individual’s forehead lift surgery concerns and questions.
How Is a Brow Lift Performed?
Dr. Azizzadeh performs an endoscopic brow lift, which is less invasive than a traditional brow lift procedure. First, Dr. Azizzadeh administers general anesthesia, and a patient is unconscious throughout the procedure. Dr. Azizzadeh makes several small incisions along a patient’s scalp and inserts an endoscope. He next lifts the forehead skin, repositions the brows and removes muscle tissue that causes facial lines. Lastly, Dr. Azizzadeh removes excess skin and closes the surgical incisions with sutures.
Recovery from a Brow Lift
A brow lift is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, and as such, a patient typically can return home the same day the surgery is completed. An individual may experience bruising and swelling in the days following brow lift surgery. These symptoms typically last about 10 days.
Also, a brow lift patient will need to keep the head elevated for at least one to two weeks after treatment, and a cold compress may be required to further reduce swelling. This patient may experience numbness and itching as forehead lift surgery incisions heal, but these symptoms will dissipate over time.
How Much Is a Brow Lift?
The average cost of a brow lift varies on a patient by patient basis and cannot be determined until after a patient has consulted with Dr. Azizzadeh. During the consultation, Dr. Azizzadeh can discuss the costs associated with a forehead lift. He can also provide insights into financing options for eyebrow lift procedures.
Will Insurance Cover the Cost of a Forehead Lift?
A forehead lift is considered a cosmetic procedure, and most insurance companies do not cover the cost of treatment. Therefore, a patient is responsible for the full brow lift cost.
Dr. Azizzadeh does everything in his power to keep a brow lift cost low. At the same time, Dr. Azizzadeh does not cut corners during a forehead lift. Rather, Dr. Azizzadeh commits the time, energy, and resources required to ensure his forehead lift patient can enjoy long-lasting treatment results.
Can a Brow Lift Be Performed in Combination with Other Facial Rejuvenation Treatments?
Dr. Azizzadeh sometimes recommends a patient undergo a brow lift in combination with one or more of the following facial rejuvenation treatments:
- Facelift: Reduces the visible signs of aging in the face and neck.
- Blepharoplasty: Involves the removal of excess skin around the eyes to correct droopy eyelids and under-eye bags.
- Laser Skin Resurfacing: Uses DOT Deka laser skin treatments to reduce or eliminate facial scars, blemishes and wrinkles.
Dr. Azizzadeh strives to help each patient achieve a beautiful, natural-looking facial appearance. Before he performs a brow lift or any other facial rejuvenation treatments, he requests a patient consultation to learn about an individual and help him or her determine the best course of action.
What Should I Expect During a Brow Lift Consultation?
Dr. Azizzadeh requests a patient consultation before he agrees to perform an eyebrow lift. During a consultation, Dr. Azizzadeh performs a full patient evaluation. He reviews his patient’s medical history and their facial appearance. And, Dr. Azizzadeh finds out why his patient is considering an eyebrow lift or other facial rejuvenation treatments.
If Dr. Azizzadeh believes a brow lift can help a patient achieve their facial rejuvenation goals, he will outline all aspects of the treatment. Dr. Azizzadeh wants to help a patient make an informed brow lift treatment decision, and he will teach a patient about the procedure. Additionally, Dr. Azizzadeh responds to a patient’s brow lift concerns and questions.
Does a Brow Lift Deliver Permanent Results?
A brow lift helps a patient improve the appearance of the upper portion of his or her face. However, a brow lift does not stop the natural aging process, and the results of a procedure may become less visible over time.
Dr. Azizzadeh helps a patient establish realistic expectations for a brow lift. As a result, Dr. Azizzadeh ensures a patient knows exactly what to expect in the years following a brow lift.
Brow Lift FAQ
Patients receive anesthesia to limit pain during an eyebrow lift. Once the anesthesia wears off, patients can experience minor side effects.
Most patients experience little to no pain following a forehead lift. In some instances, patients experience slight discomfort and tightness in the forehead after their procedure. Patients can also experience swelling and bruising that persists for up to two weeks after surgery.
Dr. Azizzadeh encourages eyebrow lift patients to apply a cold compress to the treatment area for the first few days after surgery to reduce swelling and bruising. He may prescribe medication to help his patient alleviate pain after an eyebrow lift.
Numbness is a common side effect of a brow lift, and it may affect a patient’s forehead and back of the scalp after surgery. In some cases, numbness persists for up to six months after a brow lift.
Although a brow lift helps a patient elevate his or her eyebrows, it does not involve the eyelid skin. As such, a brow lift reduces the amount of skin between a patient’s eyebrows and eyelashes, but it does not change his or her eye shape.
In many instances, the results of a brow lift last 10 to 12 years. Depending on the surgeon performing the procedure, the results of a brow lift may last longer. In addition, the normal aging process, lifestyle and other factors can impact how long a patient enjoys the full results of a brow lift procedure.
Men and women may pursue eyebrow lift surgery as early as their 20s and 30s. The surgery is commonly performed on patients age 40 and older.
The ideal candidate for an eyebrow lift includes anyone who is dealing with any of the following cosmetic issues:
- Horizontal lines on the forehead
- Furrows between the brows
- Sagging brows that hamper a person’s vision
- Droopy brows
- Tired, worn-out facial appearance
An eyebrow lift is tailored to a patient. And, there may be times when patients can benefit from other cosmetic procedures in lieu of a forehead lift. Or, there may be instances when patients can benefit from a brow lift performed at the same time as other cosmetic procedures.
A brow lift often helps patients who want to improve the appearance of the forehead and eyes. To determine if a brow lift is beneficial and safe, it is important to consult with Dr. Azizzadeh. This allows an individual to receive expert insights into all aspects of brow lift surgery and find out if he or she qualifies for treatment. If Dr. Azizzadeh finds that a patient is a good candidate for a brow lift, he develops a personalized treatment plan. Plus, Dr. Azizzadeh can answer any questions regarding brow lift surgery to help a patient make an informed treatment decision.
Dr. Azizzadeh is a Harvard-trained and double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Beverly Hills. He makes it a priority to spend as much time as necessary with patients in order to teach his patients about brow lift surgery and ensure that they know what to expect from the procedure.
Education is key, particularly when it comes to a forehead lift. Thus, Dr. Azizzadeh learns as much as he can about a patient. He determines if the patient can benefit from an eyebrow lift or other facial rejuvenation treatments. Next, Dr. Azizzadeh crafts a treatment plan and performs any requested procedures.
By learning about his patient, Dr. Azizzadeh can find out which treatments can help this individual realize their facial rejuvenation goals. Meanwhile, a patient can learn from Dr. Azizzadeh as well. He or she can ask questions to weigh the pros and cons of an eyebrow lift and other treatments. Then, the patient can decide whether to move forward with one or more facial rejuvenation treatment options.
In many cases, a brow lift and blepharoplasty can be performed in conjunction with other facial rejuvenation procedures, such as a facelift or neck lift. Together, these procedures can help patients achieve balanced and beautiful results.