Brow Lift
Serving Fresno and the Central Valley
Schedule a ConsultationWhat Is a Brow Lift?
Brow lift surgery is a procedure that addresses aging on the upper third of the face, including deep forehead creases, frown lines, sagging eyebrows, and drooping eyelids. The eye region is the first area of the face to show visible signs of aging. Repetitive facial movements strain the already thin skin around the eyes and on the forehead, causing elasticity to break down at a faster rate than anywhere else on the face. When this happens, the brows begin to droop and “hood” the eyes. This sagging skin contributes to a limited field of vision as well as a continually tired appearance. With brow lift surgery, Dr. Chin removes excess skin, raising the forehead and eyebrow position, which tightens the underlying tissues to give you a brighter, more alert appearance.
Dr. Chin also offers additional facial surgery procedures to help patients achieve their ideal appearance.
The Benefits of a Brow Lift
- Raises eyebrows to a more youthful height
- Improves the lateral arch of the brows
- Reduces hooding of the eyes
- Lessens the amount of the upper eyelid skin
- Increases your field of vision
- Reduces horizontal lines on the forehead
- Improves frown lines between the brows
- Helps you look more awake
Achieved With a Brow Lift
Brighter Eyes
Youthful eyes are the cornerstone of a fresh face. When your brows droop, they put additional pressure on the upper eyelids. This pressure hoods the eyes, obscuring your vision and contributing to an angry, tired, and aged appearance. When the forehead and eyebrows fall into the eye socket, the eyelid appears puffy and wrinkled. Brow lift surgery heightens the position of the brows, allowing your eyes to achieve a full range of vision and helping you express your true emotions. Placing the forehead skin higher can create more deep-set eyes and place the thicker forehead skin where it belongs so that the thinner eyelid skin can redrape nicely.
Elimination of Forehead Wrinkles
Constant facial movements, paired with the breakdown of your skin’s elasticity, cause temporary forehead wrinkles to become permanent creases. These horizontal lines deepen as you age and contribute to a worn and tired appearance. The forehead and brows feel heavy, and constantly contracting the forehead muscle deepens the creases. The deeper the creases, the harder they are to improve. Smoothing out these wrinkles with brow lift surgery provides a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance.
Natural, Balanced Results
Although all regions of your face experience aging, they do not age at the same rate. The eyes and forehead are among the first to show visible aging, often putting them out of balance with the rest of your face. Dr. Chin aims to achieve natural-looking results that remain in harmony with the surrounding features.
Enhanced Confidence
Drooping brows can create a disconnect between the age one looks and the age one feels. Because of this, many patients attempt to hide the upper portion of their face to conceal the lines and sagging that have formed. Brow lift surgery can eliminate excess skin and fine lines, allowing patients to show their face with pride.
Dr. Chin utilizes a technique known as the coronal brow lift to address aging in the upper face. The procedure is performed under sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the patient’s preferences. To begin, Dr. Chin makes an incision near the base of the ear that extends up over the crown of the head to the opposite ear. This incision is placed two to three inches behind the hairline to minimize the chance of visible scarring. From here, the sagging tissue is tightened and sutured, and the skin is re-draped over the new forehead contour. Through this approach, muscles are weakened to minimize creases and skin is redraped for a more aesthetic appearance. Any excess skin is trimmed away, and stitches or clips are used to close the incision. A bandage is applied over the incision to protect it and promote healing. Brow lift surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for a brow lift?
Candidates for brow lift surgery are generally healthy and should be dedicated to maintaining a healthy lifestyle to maintain their results. Candidates should refrain from smoking for at least one month before and after the surgery. Ideal candidates for brow lift surgery experience dissatisfaction with the visible sagging, lines, and hooding of their forehead and brow. The thicker the patient’s hair, the more the scar will be hidden. Men who are bald may need a different brow lift, such as a direct brow lift that removes tissue just above the eyebrows.
What will my recovery entail?
Most patients experience pain, tenderness, and swelling after the surgery. This discomfort can be remedied with oral pain medication. Rest is essential in the initial days of your recovery. Try to keep your head elevated to promote proper circulation and healing. Most of the swelling and bruising will subside within a few weeks, and scars will fade with time.
Can I combine a brow lift with another procedure?
Brow lift surgery can be performed as a standalone procedure or in combination with an eyelid lift to address drooping upper eyelids or bags under the eyes. A brow lift can also be combined with a facelift to address skin laxity, deep lines, and creases on the mid and lower regions of the face as well as sagging jowls.
How long will I need to take off work?
Although this is somewhat dependent on the type of work you do and the physicality of your job, most patients return within two weeks. All strenuous activity should be avoided for four weeks.
Complications with brow lift surgery are rare, are often temporary, and can be minimized by following all of Dr. Chin’s postoperative instructions. Although this is a safe procedure, some potential risks include:
- Anesthesia complications
- Infections
- Bleeding
- Loss of sensation
- Nerve damage in the forehead muscles
- Excessive scarring at the incision site
- Hair loss along the incision line