Brow lift

For a flawless appearance, when it comes to brow lifts, we can talk about the existence of two techniques: a non-surgical brow lift and a surgical one. Each of these two variants has in turn several other variants from which patients can choose the optimal solution, depending on the indications at the time of the consultation.

In the brow and forehead lift procedure, the two actions can be performed simultaneously or only one of them. Usually, a forehead lift is a procedure that automatically determines the lifting of the eyebrows as well. A forehead lift is an extensive operation and we can consider it the most powerful action in the spectrum of those that address brow lifting.

Unlike botulinum toxin injections, which temporarily paralyze the frontal muscle and have a limited brow lifting effect, surgical procedures have results that are visible for a lifetime.

The reasons why people choose brow lift or forehead lift surgery are:

• correction of drooping eyebrows or their position being too low, too close to the upper eyelid;
• horizontal forehead wrinkles and excess forehead skin;
• wrinkles between the eyebrows, which give an expression of anger or worry.

Before making a decision to perform a brow lift procedure, a consultation and facial assessment by a plastic surgeon is required. The ultimate goal is to obtain improved features, and in order to achieve the desired result, the aesthetic surgery professional must identify the appropriate intervention and treatment methods for each person.

If the only problem that bothers you is static wrinkles between the eyebrows or at the root of the nose, then the recommended procedure is corrugator muscle resection, which can be performed endoscopically or through an incision at the level of the upper eyelid, similar to that for upper eyelid blepharoplasty.

Some patients can be treated for wrinkles or to subtly lift the lateral part of the eyebrow with anti-wrinkle toxin injections, which selectively block certain facial muscles that produce wrinkles or cause the lateral eyebrow to droop.

A brow lift, with a temporary effect, can also be done using resorbable suspension threads. These threads are inserted at the temporal level, subcutaneously, up to the level of the eyebrow, which will be lifted to the desired height. The effect lasts between 6 and 18 months, depending on the type of thread used.

Before the operation, the surgeon will examine the structure of the area to be operated on. He will analyze the bone and soft tissues of the face. He will carefully study the thickness, texture and elasticity of the skin, as well as the activity of the forehead and eyelid muscles.

In order to establish a surgical plan, all these elements (skin, muscles, eyelids) can make an important contribution. In some cases, patients who are bothered by excess skin at the level of the eyelids do not realize that this excess is determined by the drooping of the eyebrows. In these cases, in addition to the brow lift, an operation at the level of the eyelids, called blepharoplasty, may also be necessary.

The doctor will determine, together with you, the opportunity to perform the operation with general anesthesia. In the case of general anesthesia, a consultation with the anesthesiologist will be scheduled and a series of tests will be performed to check the general state of health before the operation. If you are overweight, pregnant or want to become pregnant, then the doctor will advise you to postpone the operation.

Before the brow lift operation, you must do everything possible to maintain a state of health as good as possible and a weight appropriate to your age and height. These provisions will help a quick recovery, without complications.

If you smoke, quit smoking six weeks before the operation. This will help with healing and reduce the chances of subsequent complications.

You should not remove or shave hair from the vicinity of the areas where the cuts will be placed on the skin. Maintaining strict hygiene will help reduce the risk of infection.

Depending on the technique required and any procedures performed concomitantly, the operation can last between 2 and 4 hours. The intervention can be performed with local or general anesthesia. Usually hospitalization is not necessary, even in the case of general anesthesia, the patient can leave the hospital on the same day, but a check-up will be necessary 24 hours post-operation.

Some people can go further and make corrections to the head, appealing to otoplasty for a flawless appearance of the face.

The harmonious features of the face are obtained through various interventions, depending on the areas that need correction. Mandibuloplasty is an intervention after which the appearance of the face can take the much-desired V shape. Along with liposuction, from the level of the face and neck, correcting the eyebrows by lifting is a procedure that more and more people are resorting to.

Asymmetry can constitute an unfavorable result, although an attempt is made to obtain a symmetrical result. The inflammation consecutive to the operation can mask an asymmetry that becomes visible once the inflammation remits.

Another risk may be represented by the injury of some anatomical structures in the vicinity (nerves or blood vessels). Although all precautions are taken, nerve damage can occur, however, in most cases, it is a transient lesion, and the nerve activity resumes after a few weeks.

We can talk about certain complications, associated with surgery, that can occur as a result of this intervention.

Let’s start with the healing process. If patients have certain diseases, use nutritional supplements or various medications, there is a risk that these will delay the healing process.

Healing can also be delayed by inflammation, bleeding or a surgical procedure with general anesthesia of long duration. That is why it is important that each aspect be brought to the attention of the surgeon, who will find the right solution.

Bleeding is possible both during and after the surgical intervention, but in fairly rare cases. Complications occur extremely rarely, and if the postoperative indications offered by the surgeon are followed, you will not have any problems.

You can also find yourself in the situation where you have a hematoma, which usually appears in the first 14 days from the date of the operation, as a result of the trauma to the site undergoing the intervention. Concomitantly, bruises or ecchymoses will appear, which will disappear in approximately 2 weeks.

Pay attention to infections. These manifestations are not common, but you may face them if there have been problems and surgical interventions in areas other than those undergoing the intervention, even prior to it. It is important to inform the doctor before the procedure, and if you notice infection of the operated site, be sure to visit the doctor.

The unaesthetic risk of a brow lift can be represented by vicious, hypertrophic scars. Any lesion or trauma to the skin will result in a scar. It can be slightly visible or intense, depending on the skill of the surgeon and the place where it is located. In the intervention we are talking about, the scars can be masked and even additional interventions can be imposed, in very rare cases. Sutures can also leave marks on sensitive skin.

The skin is the largest protective organ for the human body, and the sensitivity gained by it, as a result of the surgical intervention, is known. However, we are not talking about problems that become chronic, but about elements that will disappear or diminish over time.

Very rarely have cases been recorded in which the pain, which appears as a normal reaction to the trauma of the body, turns into a chronic one.

Among the complications that can occur and can be caused by general anesthesia, we must mention first of all this type of anesthesia. In addition, the shock of the intervention can lead to rare complications and infections, as well as the appearance of allergic reactions, manifested to creams, glues, medicines, etc.

The most important complications, to which you must pay close attention, are those of a cardiac and pulmonary nature. There is a risk of blood clots or even partial collapse of the lungs after general anesthesia. Not even the anesthesiologist can anticipate the body’s reaction to anesthesia, which is why he needs the information provided during the preliminary discussion of the surgical intervention. Even the smallest details of your life and of your behavior and lifestyle can offer him important clues.

Anything that seems suspicious to you must be brought to the attention of the surgeon before the operation, but also after. You must carefully monitor your vital signs and go to the doctor urgently if something appears that raises suspicions.