Give Your Brows A Boost With Surgery

Give your Brows a Boost with Surgery

Following crow's feet, drooping eyebrows is among the first signs of aging. This is because the tissue on the forehead and the eyebrow region tends to become loose over time. Most people, however, are unaware of this phenomena and do not realize how much of an improvement an eyebrow lift can have on the overall appearance of the face.

The Effects of Drooping Eyebrows

Drooping eyebrows cause the upper eyelids to either bulge or to descend. As a result, the upper lids actually touch or even overlap the eyelashes. Those with drooping eyebrows often complain that their eyes seem to becoming deeper set or smaller in size. For women, eyelid makeup ends up becoming high on the upper area of the eyelids shortly after application. Those with drooping eyelids often have a tired or angry look, particularly at the end of the day.

The Eyebrow Lift

The eyebrow lift, often called simply a browlift, elevates the eyebrows. Tightening and lifting the skin of the forehead is the primary means by which this elevation occurs. For this reason, the procedure is also often referred to as a forehead lift. As a result of the procedure, the skin around the eyes looks more refreshed. Wrinkles in the area are reduced, or even eliminated completely, because the muscles that create the wrinkles are removed. In addition, any excess skin in the area is either removed or redistributed to the scalp to reduce sagging.

The Procedure

In order to perform a browlift, the surgeon generally makes an incision near to or in the hairline. This incision goes across the scalp and down halfway to the ear. Placing the incision in this region helps to hide any scarring that may occur. Precisely where the incision is made is determined by the patient's age, hair pattern and other factors. For some, it is made 2� behind the natural hairline. For others, it is made on the hairline because the hair will regrow through the scar and hide it.

After making the incision, the muscle tissue and the skin are then loosened and moved backward and upward in order to tighten the entire area. At this point, the surgeon has to determine the right amount of tightening, because too much can result in a startled look. Too little, on the other hand, will not remove the wrinkles and raise the eyebrows to the desired position.

If the skin still has elasticity, the surgeon can actually move the eyebrows and the forehead by making small incisions and a special rod called an endoscope rather than cutting and moving all of the skin. This is the best method because it minimizes overall scarring and it prevents the hairline from being moved back. In addition, there is less numbing of the central upper scalp associated with this method than with other methods. Regardless of the exact procedure used, the patient will experience bruising and swelling, which may last for a few weeks.

In patients with wrinkles in the middle of the forehead, the surgeon may also perform a mid-forehead lift. This lift assists in elevating the eyebrows by removing skin and elevating the muscles surrounding the eyes. In this case, the incision is made in an already existing crease in the forehead.

In addition to the actual browlift, some patients still require other treatments to reduce crow's feet and wrinkles in the upper eyelid to the desired amount. In order to accomplish this, the surgeon may also have to perform eyelid surgery or use special resurfacing techniques.

After Surgery

Some patients are able to go home right away after a browlift. Others are encouraged to stay near to the site of the surgery for monitoring, but do not have to stay in the hospital. In this case, the patient may choose to stay with a family member who lives near to the surgical center or in a hotel room.

Patients also receive pain medication to alleviate the discomfort associated with surgery. Swelling and bruising of the forehead and the eyelids is typical. In most cases, this goes away in a few days, but it can last a few weeks. Many surgeons use sutures that fall out on there on within a week, but the patient still has to return in a week to have them removed and to receive a check up. In addition, any metal clips that may have been put in place at the hairline will be removed at this time.

Most patients are able to return to their normal activities about 8 to 10 days after surgery. At this time, the patient can also begin wearing makeup again, if desired. It is, however, common to experience numbness in the area above the incision for longer periods of time.