Brow Lift

A brow lift may address both cosmetic and functional concerns. Brow lift candidates typically include adults who exhibit the following characteristics:

• Creases on the forehead
• Uneven skin around the eyes
• Asymmetrical eyebrows
• Frown lines between the eyebrows
• Sagging eyebrows

This procedure can not only soften the frown lines that contribute to a serious, angry, or tired expression (resulting in a more youthful, happier, and refreshed appearance) but it may also offer potential therapeutic benefits for tension migraines caused by muscle strains. Due to these additional therapeutic advantages beyond cosmetic enhancement, your healthcare provider may recommend the procedure as a viable option.

Schedule a consultation with a St. Luke’s eyebrow lift surgeon in the Lehigh Valley to determine if a brow lift is right for you.

When considering a brow lift, it's important to recognize that this cosmetic procedure can have a profound impact on your self-confidence and overall sense of well-being. The following list includes some of the most commonly reported benefits:

• Looking happier and more awake
• More natural eyebrow arches
• Firmer eyelids
• Softened crow’s feet
• Reduced excess skin
• Symmetrical eyebrows
• Minimized tension in forehead muscles

A brow lift can dramatically improve your body image and give you a more youthful appearance—in as little as a single treatment. To visualize yourself after a brow lift, simply place your palms against the outer part of your eye (near your temples) and gently push the skin up.

As with all surgeries, a brow lift has risks. Some of them include the following:

• Bleeding
• Facial asymmetry
• Facial nerve weakness or paralysis
• Infection
• Loss of hair at or around the incision site
• Pain
• Possible need for follow-up surgery
• Scarring
• Skin loss

Your surgeon will review a complete list of risks before getting your consent.

In the time leading up to your brow lift at St. Luke’s Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, you can take steps to make your procedure as safe as possible. These include discussing the following topics at your surgical consultation:

• Goals and expectations
• Surgical options
• Results
• Recovery

As part of your consultation, your surgeon will also do a complete evaluation—which may include the following items:

• Ordering lab work
• Taking “before” photos for comparison
• Assessing medical conditions, allergies, and medical limitations
• Reviewing medications, supplements, alcohol, tobacco, or drug use 

A week before the procedure, you can prepare at home in the following ways:

• Filling outstanding prescriptions
• Purchasing any medical supplies as needed
• Coordinating transportation and meals as needed
• Staying hydrated

You should arrive early on the day of your procedure to avoid travel delays.

Your surgeon will work with you to determine the best type of brow lift for your desired results. A brow lift surgery lasts one to two hours and requires either local anesthesia or sedation. Your brow lift surgeon will create a small incision in your forehead to reposition the tissue, resulting in a lifted appearance.

Classic forehead lift

In a classic forehead lift, your surgeon will make an incision across your forehead at ear level or along your hairline, providing access to the underlying tissues. Through this incision, they will carefully adjust your skin, removing any excess fat or tissue that contributes to wrinkles. In addition, if necessary, your surgeon may realign your forehead muscles and eyebrows to achieve your desired outcome.

Endoscopic forehead lift

In an endoscopic forehead lift, your surgeon would utilize an incision (smaller than the one used in a classic forehand lift), hidden in your hairline, to perform the procedure. Then they’ll use specialized tools to reposition the brows into a more lifted position. This minimally invasive approach offers several benefits, including reduced scarring, a shorter recovery period, and a more natural-looking outcome.

Temporal forehead lift

In a temporal forehead lift, your surgeon would make a hidden incision in your hairline and use telescopes to lift your face, providing overall smoothing and correction to your forehead. This specialized procedure is for individuals who are satisfied with their inner brows but want a more refined and smoothed forehead contour. However, it’s important to note that this technique doesn’t lift your central forehead or brow region.

Once the swelling goes down, your face should have a more youthful appearance. While this should happen in the first week or two after surgery, it may take up to six months for all swelling to completely resolve. This means your results will become increasingly apparent over time.

Although brow lift results are not permanent, they can still have a lasting impact on your appearance as you age gracefully. However, the initial lift can significantly enhance your facial features, boosting your self-confidence.

Your St. Luke’s plastic surgeon will customize your procedure based on your desired treatment results. As you progress through the recovery process, there are several key milestones to anticipate. These include the following:

• Day of surgery: You may walk around the house–but you should avoid showering.
• One to two days after surgery: You may shower, but you’ll need to be gentle around your incisions.
• One week after surgery: You may return to a less strenuous job, but be prepared for fatigue.
• One to two weeks after surgery: You may resume driving if you are not taking prescription pain medication.
• Two to four weeks after surgery: You may resume exercise if your surgeon approves.

Throughout the recovery process, you may experience several temporary symptoms:

• Numbness
• Itching
• Pain (minor)
• Swelling
• Bruising

In the first two weeks after your procedure, it is common to experience swelling and bruising. The sutures used are typically dissolvable, but if removal is necessary, it usually takes place within this timeframe.