Who can benefit from a forehead or brow lift?

This type of surgery is most commonly performed in people around the age of 40 to 60 to help reduce the visible effects of the natural ageing process, the surgery is also used to help people who have inherited problems such as low or heavy brow or deep furrowed lines above the nose. The surgeon may also suggest that you have eyelid surgery or a face-lift at the same time as you have the forehead lift.

The surgery and recovery time

In order to gain a better understanding of how you can benefit from a face-lift take a mirror and place your hands at the outer edge of your eyes and gently pull the skin up raising the brow and forehead.

This will give you a general idea of how the surgery would turn out if you chose to go with it. There are basically two different techniques to the forehead or brow lift and which one your surgeon chooses will depend on what your surgeon thinks will achieve the best goals for you.

The classic forehead lift

Before the operation your hair will be tied back away from the face, the surgeon will make an incision starting at the ear level and running up around the head and back down the other side to your other ear.

The scar it will leave won’t be visible as this is done well behind the hairline, the skin of the forehead is then lifted gently and the underlying tissue can be removed where needed and the muscles on the forehead altered.

The eyebrows can also be lifted and any excess skin can be trimmed away, the incision is then stitched and while most surgeons choose not to bandage the area some might wrap your head lightly.

The endoscopic forehead lift

This type of surgery requires the same preparation as the one listed above but the difference is that instead of making one long incision the surgeon will make four or five incisions on the scalp less than an inch in length. The surgery will then be performed using an endoscope which is a pencil like camera which is attached to a monitor.

The endoscope will then be used through one of the incisions and the surgeon can clearly see the muscles and tissue under the skin. Another instrument is used in one of the other incisions and the skin can then be lifted gently and the underlying tissue can then be removed or altered.

When the surgery is finished the small incisions will be stitched and washed and a piece of gauze used to cover the wounds if your surgeon chooses to do so. After the surgery some numbness or tingling may be felt and this will be replaced by itching as the skin heals. Most people are able to return to work within 10 days and patients who have had the forehead lift done by endoscopic may be able to return sooner.

It cannot however help with the removal of crow’s feet or eliminate wrinkles; your surgeon will be able to give you an idea of how the surgery could help you on your first visit and initial consultation.

Who can the surgery help?

The ideal candidate for this type of surgery are usually men and women over the age of 35 but if problems with droopy or baggy eyes runs in the family and causes undue anxiety or problems with the eyesight then younger people can have it too, surgeons may also do this type of surgery purely for cosmetic reasons.

Any medical problems with the eyes should be discussed with the surgeon before any surgery is considered as people suffering from certain medical problems could be at greater risk. Illnesses such as thyroid problems, diabetes, high blood pressure or circulatory problems can all have an affect and should be mentioned to the surgeon.

The surgery and recovery

This type of surgery is almost always performed on an outpatient basis and only very rarely does it require a stay in hospital, the surgery itself is normally performed under general anaesthesia which relies on the area around the eye being numbed.

The surgery can take anywhere between two to four hours depending on what you are having done, if you are having all four lids done then the surgeon would normally work on the upper two first then the bottom lids.

After the surgery the surgeon may lubricate your eyes and apply bandages to them and they will of course feel sore with the skin around them feeling tight, the surgeon will suggest that you use cold compresses on them to alleviate any swelling and use pain medication for relieving any pain you might feel.

Bruising is common in people who have had this type of surgery and the bruising can vary in intensity and can last around two weeks to a month. Following the surgery, your eyes might feel gummy and your surgeon will suggest ways of treating this to ease any discomfort, during the first few weeks your eyes could be sensitive to light and you could find that they tear easily.

The stitches will normally be removed round about a week after the surgery and once this is done the swelling and discolouration will gradually subside. You should normally feel able to return to work after the stitches have been removed this if course will depend on several factors such as how you yourself feel and how quickly you heal.

However, your eyes may be still extremely sensitive at this stage and may tear and run and wearing sunglasses for the first month or so when you go outdoors to protect your eyes is often a good idea.