Am I Ready for a Forehead Lift?

It is no secret that many people are working to slow down the aging process. There are many ways to do this, ranging from anti-aging creams and cosmetics to facials and other spa treatments.

But a forehead lift in Las Vegas may be one of the easiest ways to look years younger without requiring a face full of makeup.

What Is a Forehead Lift Procedure?

A forehead lift, also known as a brow lift, is a cosmetic surgery designed to remove wrinkles and lines in the forehead area to re-establish a more youthful appearance.

The procedure can tighten loose skin, remove saggy or excess skin, and smooth wrinkles in the brow/forehead area. The removal of this tissue eliminates sagging brows and drooping forehead skin. The result is a smoother, fresher appearance.

Why Is the Brow Lift Procedure Performed?

When done for cosmetic reasons, a forehead lift is usually performed when a person is between the ages of 40 and 60 (although younger or older patients may still be candidates. It can improve the appearance of sunken or furrowed brows that come from aging or from an inherited tendency to have deep wrinkles in this area.

A good candidate for a forehead lift should have one or more of the following:

  • Deep furrows between eyes
  • Tissue hanging on the outer part of eyelids
  • Wrinkles across the forehead
  • Sagging brows

Before the Forehead Lift Procedure

After considering your options and figuring out what you’d like to change, you’ve finally decided that a forehead lift will do the trick for you.

Now that you’re getting closer to the actual procedure, it’s time to consider your strategy for pre-operative care.

During your first visit, your surgeon might:

  • Review your medical history
  • Carry out a physical exam
  • Discuss your expectations

Before the procedure, you are also required to:

  • Stop smoking
  • Avoid blood thinners
  • Inform your surgeon of pre-existing conditions like colds or herpes
  • Arrange for help during your recovery

Are There Other Procedures That May Be Performed at the Same Time?

If you want to get a brow lift and other procedures done at the same time, it’s important to find a surgeon who is skilled at multiple procedures.

Some procedures often done together with a forehead include:

  • Facelift
  • Upper or lower eyelid surgery
  • Skin resurfacing

How Is the Procedure Performed?

Forehead lift surgery is usually performed in one of two ways: the traditional or endoscopic way.

During a traditional brow lift (coronal brow lift), an incision is made across the forehead at the hairline (so there will be no visible scars). From here, forehead muscles and tissues are lifted and secured. Some excess skin may be trimmed as well to ensure a forehead without laxity. Incisions are then closed and bandaged.

During an endoscopic brow lift, a series of four or five small incisions are made along the hairline (opposed to the one long incision). From here, an endoscope (pencil-sized camera) is inserted into one of the incisions to allow the plastic surgeon visibility of the tissues. He can then tighten tissues and muscles as needed to lift the forehead region. This continues through the other incisions to address the entire forehead.

The endoscopic method is considered less invasive; however, it does not allow for any skin removal.

Recovery After Forehead Lift Surgery

The forehead lift is normally an outpatient procedure. After surgery, you may go home or spend the night at a recovery area.

Some rules you should follow when you get home include:

  • Take care of the incisions
  • Use medication to help with the pain
  • Watch out for complications

After surgery, you can walk around in one to two days. And you will be able to work seven days after surgery.

However, as nerves regrow, you might feel tingling or itching. It may take up to six months for these feelings to completely fade away.