Brow Lift

A brow lift is a procedure that requires minimal incisions to elevate the brows, eliminate forehead wrinkles, and give the eyes a more alert, brighter appearance. Due to the aging process and gravity, the skin of the forehead can descend, contributing to furrowed brows and sagging, or “hooded” upper eyelids. Overuse of the frontalis (forehead) muscle can contribute to the development of horizontal wrinkles above the brows and weaken the skin of the upper face. All of these factors can interfere with the first aspect of the face that most people notice- the eyes and the expressions they convey. 

At Tehrani Plastic Surgery, we offer comprehensive and minimally invasive solutions to combat the aging process to enhance your inner beauty, not change it. Under the guidance of Dr. Ali Tehrani, who has performed thousands of successful procedures, you can expect to receive the highest quality care tailored to your unique needs and anatomy. To see the subtle transformative changes a brow lift can accomplish for you, please call Dr. Tehrani’s office (949) 867-6806. Alternatively, you can reach a member of our staff through our contact form available online. We look forward to helping you figure out if the brow lift is right for you. 

About the Brow Lift 

Brow lifts serve to correct cosmetic issues associated with sagging, also called ptosis, a normal part of skin aging that has been studied for decades. Dr. Raymond Passot was the first to perform a variation of the procedure in 1919; after his research on the anatomy of the skin and upper face, he was able to successfully eliminate crow’s feet wrinkles. He excised small, elliptical portions of skin adjacent to the eyes and sutured them closed, facilitating the look of tightened skin. ⁽¹⁾ 

Since the very first recorded brow lift more than 100 years ago, newer, safer techniques have evolved. With extensive knowledge of anatomy, surgeons can now use smaller incisions to create the most flattering results. By only implementing tiny incisions within the hairline and scalp, this procedure can fix: 

• Descended brows that have lost their natural arch 
• Excess skin and fat buildup just under the brows 
• Excessive folding and wrinkling on the forehead 
• Sagging skin impeding your field of vision 
• A high forehead or high hairline
• Asymmetry between the brows 

Ideal Candidates for the Brow Lift

Dr. Tehrani will consider you for this procedure if you exhibit any of the above signs of brow descent and are in good overall health without underlying conditions that could raise your risk of complications during surgery. Candidates are typically older than 40 and younger than 60, but patients over 60 can qualify for the procedure if they have other health conditions well-managed and are considered healthy. Finally, patients should have realistic expectations for their aesthetic outcomes and be willing to undergo surgery that will create results that last up to 10 years. 

Personal Consultation

At the time of your personal consultation at Tehrani Plastic Surgery, Dr. Tehrani will assess the degree of your skin laxity and brow descent. You will discuss, in detail, the results you would like to see, and he will present his ideas and surgical strategies for addressing your particular situation. He will work with you to come up with a treatment plan that will restore the look of a more youthful version of yourself that suits your face as a whole. With this in mind, he will answer any and all questions you may have and give you an outline of the preparation and recovery process to expect. To schedule your consultation today, please call (949) 867-6806. For your convenience, you can also fill out our online form to inquire more. 

Preparation Steps 

Dr. Tehrani will prepare you for your procedure by first ordering blood tests to rule out any major health problems that could possibly interfere. He requires all of his brow lift patients to stop taking blood thinning medications and any supplements at least 2 weeks beforehand. This will mitigate the risk of any excessive bleeding or bruising during your healing period. Dr. Tehrani can review your current medication list with you to help you figure out what is safe to take. 

Brow Lift Procedure Options

Traditional Brow Lift 

Those with a significant amount of laxity may want to consider a traditional, or coronal brow lift. It is also the optimal choice for patients who want to reduce the height of their hairline. Dr. Tehrani will make one incision hidden behind the hairline and use it to access and tighten the frontalis muscle. Next, the skin is redraped, and any excess is removed prior to suturing the incision. 

Lateral Brow Lift 

A lateral brow lift is similar to a traditional brow lift, but it utilizes 2 short incisions measuring 4 centimeters each. This technique is specifically designed to correct eyelid ptosis and lift the outer edges of the eyebrow arches, enhancing their shape. This technique also serves to reduce the prominence of glabellar lines between the brows. Lateral brow lifts are often paired with an upper eyelid blepharoplasty, a procedure that involves direct reformation of the tissues that contribute to “hooded” eyes. 

Endoscopic Brow Lift 

An endoscopic brow lift is the least invasive of the procedures. For this method, Dr. Tehrani will only make incisions of roughly 2 centimeters, the shortest incisions for a brow lift. He will then insert an endoscope, a device consisting of a thin tube with a tiny camera that can provide him with an accurate viewing of the subcutaneous tissues. Using the camera, he can navigate and elevate the tissues without needing to create a flap of skin. Because of this aspect, this technique promotes a much quicker recovery time. 

Though Dr. Tehrani can perform most brow lifts under local anesthesia or conscious sedation, patients have the option of undergoing general anesthesia if they feel more comfortable doing so. He will complete the procedure over the course of 1 to 3 hours, depending on your individual case. 

Recovery and Results

After your procedure, you will experience some degree of swelling, bruising, and temporary numbness, but the discomfort is usually mild and can be controlled with over-the-counter or prescribed medications. Within the first 1 to 2 weeks, these side effects will completely subside. Within 7 to 10 days, Dr. Tehrani will remove all sutures, and you will be able to resume using your regular makeup and skincare products. Keep in mind that he requires that women discard their old makeup so it does not introduce bacteria to the incision site/s. After suture removal, patients can go back to work, but you will likely have to wait 2 to 3 weeks to return to the gym. Once everything has fully healed, your final results will settle in and last up to 10 years. Studies have shown that endoscopic brow lifts maintain cosmetic improvements 5 years post-procedure. ⁽³⁾ To maintain these results, you should be mindful to apply daily sunscreen with an SPF of 30 and follow a doctor-approved skincare regime. Although your results may fade after this period of time, you will likely experience aging much slower. 

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures 

Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty

An upper eyelid blepharoplasty is a type of eyelid surgery that involves a tiny incision within each crease of the upper eyelid to reduce unwanted fat and tighten skin beneath the brows. Puffy, darkened areas around the eyes can make you seem older than you are, more tired, or even upset. With this minimally invasive procedure, you can feel confident that your eyes reflect a more energetic, expressive side. With newly contoured skin around the eyes, you will be able to apply and blend eye makeup with ease. Many patients undergo an upper blepharoplasty at the time of their brow lift; research found that among lateral brow lift patients, about 87% decided on eyelid surgery as well. ⁽⁴⁾ 

Facelift/ Neck Lift 

If you feel that you need to address lax skin in the lower areas of the face and neck, Dr. Tehrani can perform a facelift and neck lift combination in conjunction with your brow lift. While facelifts minimize the appearance of jowls, nasolabial folds, and other deep wrinkles, a neck lift can correct “turkey neck”. Both are considered minimally invasive procedures; facelifts involve incisions behind both ears, while neck lifts require one tiny incision just under the chin. The results of your brow lift will match well with a facelift, providing a more comprehensive anti-aging solution. 

Cost of a Brow Lift in Apple Valley, CA 

Dr. Tehrani will provide you with a cost estimate for your brow lift and any related procedures at the time of your consultation. He will take into consideration anesthesia fees, follow-up appointments, prescription medications, and other fees that will promote the best results possible. To learn more about the intricacies of the brow lift and if you may benefit, request your consultation at Tehrani Plastic Surgery using our contact page. If you feel the need to assess your options beforehand, please take a moment to look through our blog. We pride ourselves in helping our patients make informed, educated decisions. 

References

1. de Jongh FW, Sanches EE, Pouwels S, et al. An overview of surgical techniques and non-surgical treatments in lifting the eyebrow including current treatments available. European Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2022;46(1):1-8. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-021-01911-4 
2. Raggio BS, Winters R. Endoscopic Brow Lift. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545220/ 
3. Jones BM, Lo S. The Impact of Endoscopic Brow Lift on Eyebrow Morphology, Aesthetics, and Longevity. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2013;132(2):226e238e. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0b013e3182958b9f 
4. Turin SY, Vaca EE, Cheesborough JE, Sinno S, Mustoe TA. Simplified Lateral Brow Lift under Local Anesthesia for Correction of Lateral Hooding. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2019;7(6):e2098. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000002098