Getting older can have many consequences for virtually every part of our body, and our face is no exception. As we age, the skin begins to become drier and thinner, and this can cause it to sag and wrinkle. One of the most noticeable places where this happens is the forehead area, where deep lines and crinkles can form, sometimes making us look older than we really are. In some cases, the sagging is so significant that the brows appear heavy, and this can cause them to start to sag over the tops of the eyes, causing us to appear tired. When your forehead and brow look heavy, it can cause you to feel self-conscious and even embarrassed about your appearance. Fortunately, there is a way to turn back the clock. A cosmetic surgery known as a forehead lift is a popular way of restoring the forehead area to its former glory.
A forehead lift is a surgical procedure that is carried out with the purpose of correcting sagging skin on the forehead, eyebrows and upper eyelids. You may also hear of it referred to as a brow lift. After the surgery concludes, patients can enjoy tighter, smoother and wrinkle-free forehead that helps them to look and feel much younger than before.
WHAT HAPPENS IN A FOREHEAD LIFT PROCEDURE?
In most instances, forehead lift surgery is performed using a general anesthetic. This means that you are asleep for the duration of the procedure and will not experience any pain. You will have no memory of the surgery either. Exactly what will happen during your forehead lift will depend on the variety of the surgery that you have chosen. This will be decided at your consultation appointment where you will have an opportunity to discuss your expectations for the procedure and our team are able to make a recommendation as to the most suitable type of forehead lift to help you achieve them. The options available include the following:
OPEN FOREHEAD LIFT
An open forehead lift is an open surgery that involves a long incision along the hairline from one ear to the other. The incision is placed here to help reduce the visibility of any scarring although this typically fades over time. If you have a receding hairline or no hair, the incision will still be made into the natural brow crease. Once the incision has been made, we will separate the skin from the underlying tissues. This enables us to tighten the muscle beneath which will help with the overall effect of the surgery. The skin is then placed back over the face, pulled so that it is flatter and tighter, and then secured using stitches. Any excess skin is removed and discarded.
ENDOSCOPIC FOREHEAD LIFT
This minimally invasive version of a forehead lift involves multiple, small incisions being made along the hairline, through which an endoscope is inserted. This is a thin tube with a light and camera on the end that enables our surgical team to see the muscles and tissues inside your forehead without the need for a large incision. The muscles are then tightened by passing tiny surgical instruments into the smaller incisions. The level of the eyebrows can be raised, and the skin pulled tight and secured, completing the surgery.
RECOVERING AFTER A FOREHEAD LIFT
It is advisable to give yourself a little time to fully recover after a forehead lift. It is a surgical procedure and you will undergo a period of healing. During this time, your forehead may feel sore, appear swollen and even bruised. You can take pain relief to help with any discomfort and this will be discussed with you before you are discharged from our care. It is imperative that you follow any post-operative instructions that you are given as these will reduce the likelihood of you experiencing any complications and will help to ensure that you obtain the best possible result from your procedure.
To find out more about a forehead lift or to discover if you are a good candidate for this procedure, please contact our Houston Cosmetic Surgery Center today.
