ANTIAGING TREATMENTS: FACIAL
Forehead or Brow Lift
Introduction
A forehead lift is most commonly performed in the 40-60
age range to minimize the visible effects of aging.
However, it can also help people of any age who have
developed furrows or frown lines due to stress or muscle
activity.
To see the potential effects of a forehead lift, look
into a mirror and place the palms of your hands at the
outer edges of your eyes, above your eyebrows. Gently
draw the skin up to raise the brow and the forehead
area. That is approximately what a forehead lift would
do for you.
This a procedure restores a more youthful, refreshed
look to the area above the eyes by correcting drooping
brows and improving the horizontal lines and furrows
that can make a person appear angry, sad or tired.
In a forehead lift, the muscles and tissues that cause
the furrowing or drooping are removed or altered to
smooth the forehead, raise the eyebrows and minimize
frown lines. It is often found that those who initially
seek upper-eyelid surgery find that a forehead lift
is a better solution to meeting their goals.
The conventional surgical method hides the incision
just behind the hairline; or it may be performed with
the use of an endoscope, a viewing instrument that allows
the procedure to be performed with minimal incisions.
Both techniques result in smoother forehead skin and
a more animated appearance.
A forehead lift is often performed in conjunction with
a facelift to provide a smoother overall look to the
face. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) may also be performed
at the same time as a forehead lift, especially if a
patient has significant skin overhang in the upper eyelids.
Some patients who believe they need Patients who are
bald, who have a receding hairline, or who have had
previous upper-eyelid surgery may still be good candidates
for forehead lift. The surgeon will simply alter the
incision location or perform a more conservative operation.
Remember, a forehead lift can enhance your appearance
and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change
your looks to match your ideal or cause other people
to treat you differently. Before you decide to have
surgery, think carefully about your expectations and
discuss them in detail with your doctor.
Complications
Complications are rare and usually minor. In rare
cases, the nerves that control eyebrow movement may
be injured, resulting in a loss of ability to raise
the eyebrows or wrinkle the forehead.
Formation of a broad scar is also a rare complication.
In some patients, hair loss may occur along the scar
edges.
Both these problems can be corrected with additional
surgery.
Loss of sensation along or just beyond the incision
line is more common, normally only temporary, but may
be permanent in some patients.
Infection and bleeding are very rare, but are possibilities.
Most forehead lifts are performed under local anesthesia,
combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. You'll
be awake but relaxed, and although you may feel some
tugging and mild discomfort, your forehead will be insensitive
to pain.
Some surgeons prefer to use general anesthesia, in
which case you'll sleep through the entire operation.
The Procedure
Your surgeon will help you decide which surgical approach
will best achieve your cosmetic goals: the conventional
open method, or the endoscopic forehead lift.
The Conventional Forehead Lift
- Thehair will be tied with rubber bands on either
side of the incision line. Your head will not be shaved,
but hair directly in front of the incision line may
need to be trimmed.
- An incision starting at ear level and running across
the top of the forehead and down the other side of
the head is made well behind the hairline. In patients
who are bald or losing hair, a mid-scalp incision
that follows the natural pattern of the skull bones
is sometimes recommended.
- Working through the incision, the skin of the forehead
is carefully lifted so that the underlying tissue
can be removed and the muscles of the forehead can
be altered or released.
- The incision is then closed with stitches or clips.
- Your face and hair will be washed to prevent irritation
and the rubber bands will be removed from your hair.
- The incision may be covered with gauze padding
the head wrapped in an elastic bandage.
The Endoscopic Forehead Lift
The same preparation and aftercare is used.
Rather than making one long coronal incision, three,
four or five short scalp incisions are made, each less
than 2.5cm in length. An endoscope is inserted through
one of the incisions, to provide viewing using a small
camera tool, whilst another instrument is inserted through
a different incision, to carry out the work required.
Post Operative
Endoscopic forehead lift patients generally experience
less discomfort and itching than those have the conventional
lift, however some numbness, incision discomfort and
mild swelling will occur, which can be controlled with
medication.
It is advisable to keep your head elevated for two
to three days following surgery to minimise swelling.
Swelling may also affect the cheeks and eyes; however,
this should begin to disappear in a week or so.
Some hair loss around the incision is normal and temporary.
The stitches or staples used to close the incisions
are usually removed within a week and the temporary
fixation screws within two weeks.
Although you should be up and about in a day or two,
plan on taking it easy for at least the first week after
surgery.
Vigorous physical activity should limited for several
weeks, including jogging, bending, heavy housework,
sex, or any activity that increases your blood pressure.
Prolonged exposure to heat or sun should be limited
for several months.
Most of the visible signs of surgery should fade completely
within about three weeks.
Reference: http://www.plasticsurgery.org/public_education/procedures/Browlift.cfm
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