brow lift forehead lift

Brow lift/forehead lift – synonyms & principle

synonyms: brow lift, forehead lift, surgical tightening of the eyebrows/forehead

principle: Lifting of the eyebrow or forehead region and fixing upwards with/without removal of excess skin, many different techniques are possible

is often combined with…

• eyelid surgery: Upper eyelid lift
• Botox & Hyaluron: Lower side of the eye & brow area
• autologous fat

efficiency

Depending on the technology, different efforts with different levels of effectiveness are possible

In the eyebrow/forehead region, however, there may be a certain reduction in the effect after treatment or surgery

duration of surgery

Eyebrow lift approx. 60-90 minutes

Forehead lift approx. 60-90 minutes

repetition of the treatment

Any excess skin that has been removed will not grow back. But of course the tissue gives way with age. This can lead to new excess skin - which is sometimes removed again by surgery. This can be the case after a few years or even decades. A certain amount of easing of the tightening can also be noticed in the first few months when the initial swelling (which also causes a slight increase in volume) goes down.

It often makes sense to complement the effect in another direction – volume, collagen, etc.

Application in which body region

brow/forehead

alternatives

Alternatives are usually not equivalent.

These include:

• volume lift with hyaluronic acid, autologous fat, etc.
• tightening with heat such as radio frequency or ultrasound (e.g. HIFU) or laser
• Needling medically about collagen formation and tightening of existing collagen
• threads, thread lift – however, beyond a certain level of tightening, transverse wrinkles are increased and facial expressions become problematic

decision-making aids

Essentially, these are fundamental decisionsthat make up a brow lift and/or forehead lift.

Should I have a brow lift do it at all? – Sometimes it is the better decision not to do something.

Operations in the facial area in particular are operations for which one should be psychologically stable. The decision should be well considered. Even if as a surgeon you usually see happy and satisfied patients after a brow lift/forehead lift, the operation is not the solution to all problems. And it is not right for everyone. Every patient should set their expectations at a realistic level.

Once a certain amount of excess skin has been reached, it can only be improved to the maximum extent by surgery. Even if all other methods are repeated and combined (volume, heat, threads, etc.), only a certain effect can be achieved without surgery.

Good advice highlights all the advantages and disadvantages of an operation – and thus helps you make the right decision.

Excess skin:

while improvements with volume or heat are in the range of a few mm – the effect of a brow lift is 1-2-3cm (at least in some places). The factor of improvement in mm is therefore x times higher. Any excess skin that is removed is simply gone forever and will not grow back

cut=scar

An incision always means a scar. This is no different, especially with a brow lift/forehead lift. Anyone who has a history of poor scarring should think carefully about this procedure.

However, if the wound heals normally, the scars that remain (after a healing phase of up to one year) can be very inconspicuous. It is always important to make the incision individually tailored.

There are many ways to position the scar. along the hairline cut, excess skin can be removed and the forehead distance can thus be reduced.

At cuts in the hairy area (usually 3-5 small cuts perpendicular to the hairline) the forehead region can appear longer, as no excess skin is removed and the hairline moves upwards.

Especially in men, a "direct" brow lift with a cut above the eyebrow may be an option. However, despite ideal suture and surgical technique (since it is directly in the visible area), more noticeable scars can occur here. An analysis of scarring is therefore important. - The alternative hairline is often not ideal for men in terms of hair loss. Men are therefore a separate chapter here.

The decision about the “best” cut is always an individual one – depending on the hairstyle, hair thickness and anatomy and also the problem, different cuts, alternative techniques or even combined techniques can represent the best individual concept.

fixation?

There are various options for fixing the eyebrow upwards as permanently as possible: screws, anchor plates with barbs, drill holes, fixation to the muscle sheath, etc.

Advantages and disadvantages are cost, tactility, durability.

combinations

Since no method alone is effective, a step-by-step approach or combinations are a good option.

What should you have heard/read before a brow lift/forehead lift?

• Recurrences are possible – a certain reduction in the effect is very likely
• There are many different options in this area – individual advice and an individual concept are useful here

Prejudices

A brow lift always looks unnatural

facts

As a surgeon, you hear this statement again and again. However, I cannot confirm this from experience. A well-done eyebrow lift should not change your character in any way - it should simply provide more freshness and a more open look and create a friendlier, younger facial expression.

What I can confirm is that an exaggerated forehead lift can change the facial expression to a more questioning expression. Since Botox has been available, it has definitely become a strong competitor to a surgical forehead lift in the inner forehead area. The number of forehead lifts has also dropped significantly since then.

However, Botox is not a sensible alternative in the eyebrow area, as the relaxation of the Botox tends to cause the eyebrow to sink.

most common possible side effects/complications

• asymmetry (always present on two sides to a certain extent) – in the eyebrow area, however, there is always a constant comparison between left and right
• scar (especially a risk with direct eyebrow lift)
• hair loss, bald patches
• Swelling – still an issue many weeks or months after surgery
• rarely nerve weakness (if usually temporary), but theoretically also permanent facial nerve paralysis
• recurrence or rapid wear of the effect
• overcorrection (dry eye)

details Information on possible complications can be found in the information documents

In summary, good preparation (information, explanation, preliminary examinations, analysis, etc.) and the surgeon’s experience are important factors for a successful brow lift and/or forehead lift

You should avoid…

• overcorrection
  
• straight cut along the hairline: Mostly there is a zig-zag cut, which takes into account the direction of the hair roots less noticeable scars
  
• few cuts at any price: if there is excess skin, removing the excess can definitely make sense. This can prevent an overly long forehead in some cases

anesthesia

Possible anesthesiashapes for a brow lift

• Local anesthesia + twilight sleep
• Local anesthesia alone – not suitable for fixation to the bone
• gentle general anesthesia

the operation

Deadlines must be met in Austria (surgical information and anesthesia information) – this means that there is a waiting period of at least 3-4 weeks from the decision to undergo breast enlargement, but often longer.

Do not take any blood-thinning medication 10 days before the procedure! Also avoid citrus fruits or ginger!

We will inform you if a psychological report may be necessary before your surgery.

THINKING POSITIVELY – helps. It not only prolongs life, but is also always a good first step towards any treatment or operation.

the operation

rest for 3 weeks in the sense of:

• do not lift more than 5-6kg
• nothing jerky
• don't work headfirst

Wearing a bandage for about 5-6 weeks (especially at night)

our preferred technique/recommendation

• In the eyebrow area, direct removal of excess skin is often advisable – often a facelift incision is simply extended towards the eyebrow
• Fixation of the brow region to 2 small drill holes on the outer skull bone – no foreign body palpable – good hold
• Anesthesia: twilight sleep or gentle general anesthesia
• quickly dissolving sutures or sometimes staples in the hairy area

Cost

Guidelines:

from 2500 eyebrow lift with own fat in LA

from 3900 brow lift in LA

from 4900 eyebrow lift including twilight sleep

from 5900 eyebrow lift including own fat including twilight sleep

13650 extended SMAS Contour Facelift with lifting of the middle face (or 1 region of own fat) eyebrow and neck including anesthesia

400 overnight stay at the clinic with nurse/450 for overnight stay from Friday to Saturday

100 Costs for day admission to the clinic (if no overnight stay is planned) – if necessary and reasonable

900-2000 Autologous fat transfer 1 region depending on extent (e.g. nasolabial, eyebrow, etc.) – in combination with 2nd operation, optional

70 optional special price recommended scar ointment + disinfectant spray (after surgery 74)

minus consultation costs

possible costs for anesthesia information (approx. 80)

The prices listed are average values and could be cheaper or more expensive. The final total price will be determined during the second consultation (=consent) depending on the individual effort/planned operation time, combinations, desired clinic/room category and other factors.

At the turn of the year, clinic prices are adjusted and may then be slightly higher.

reasonable budget

A final cost estimate is only possible and meaningful after a detailed on-site inspection and clarification of individual wishes.

downtime

In general, 2-3 weeks of rest be taken into account – this means specifically:

• lifting no more than 5-6 kg
• no jerky movements
• do not perform any activities overhead

bandage for 5-6 weeks as much as possible (especially at night)

Important to know…

• A brow lift also poses the psyche of the patient is a big challenge – if you are not really stable, it is better to turn to alternatives

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You can find more information about brow lift/forehead lift here – brow lift forehead lift