Loose skin on the brow and forehead are often among the first signs of aging as the facial skin loses its elasticity. The effects of aging, sun exposure, and the elements result in wrinkling, sagging of the skin, frown lines, and heaviness of the eyebrows. When this happens, the face begins to appear older than it is, and patients end up looking tired or sometimes angry. A forehead lift is a surgical procedure offered by Dr. Gantous that addresses all of these issues.
Understanding the Surgery
The key difference between the various options for forehead lift procedures is the placement of the incision.
The newest approach is endoscopic surgery, where small incisions are made just behind the hairline and a scope is used to assist in the surgery. For the right patient, this approach results in less risk of numbness and scarring, as well as a faster recovery.
Other techniques use longer incisions to lift the brow. The locations of the incisions and the type of surgery are both decided by Dr. Gantous after an examination and discussion with you about the various options. While each of these options will lift the brow and smooth the forehead, some also help to lower a high hairline and to improve facial balance and harmony.
A forehead lift typically takes one to two hours to perform and is most commonly done under IV sedation, or twilight or general anaesthesia.
What to Expect After the Surgery
In the 10 days following a forehead lift surgery, patients will experience some swelling and bruising. On some patients, the cheek and eye area may be affected along with the forehead. For this reason it is advised that patients keep their heads elevated, and use cold compresses to reduce any swelling. As the incisions heal, patients may experience some numbness as well as itching, however both are normal and will diminish with time. If bandages are used, they are removed one to three days following surgery, while sutures (or stitches) are usually removed within seven to 10 days.
It is very important to follow the advice of your surgeon about resuming normal activities. For most patients, the recovery time will not exceed two weeks, but patients may still be advised to avoid any strenuous activities that may interfere with healing. Any prolonged bruising can be covered with standard makeup techniques.
In many cases, a brow lift is combined with Blepharoplasty (an eyelid tuck) or facelift in order to provide a harmonious rejuvenation of the entire face.
Facial plastic surgery makes it possible to correct many facial flaws and signs of premature aging that can greatly affect one’s self confidence. By changing how you look, cosmetic surgery can help you change how you feel about yourself.