What is a brow lift?
A brow lift, or a forehead lift, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that elevates the eyebrows and smooths out wrinkles or lines on the forehead. The goal of a brow lift is to give the upper face a more youthful and refreshed appearance and eliminate the constantly worried or angry expression caused by the sagging brows. A brow lift can be done with incisions above the eyebrow, the upper eyelid, or at the hairline.
One of the most visible signs of aging is sagging brows due to the weakening of the facial muscles and tendons. In addition, aging causes wrinkles and lines to appear on the brow area and forehead. Or your eyebrows may be droopy due to genetic factors. Whatever the cause, a brow lift rejuvenates the face, brings about a well-rested, dynamic expression, and contributes significantly to a person's self-confidence.
Complaints addressed with a brow lift
Many patients who request a brow lift are looking to correct cosmetic complaints, while some suffer from vision impairment due to drooping brows obstructing the eyes.
The most common complaints that can be corrected with a brow lift are:
- Sagging eyebrows and excess skin on the forehead
- Deep wrinkles or furrows between the eyebrows
- Vertical lines between the eyebrows
- Horizontal wrinkles across the forehead
- Asymmetrical eyebrows
- A constantly anxious and irritable expression
- Vision problems
Who is a good candidate for a brow lift?
A brow lift is typically recommended for individuals with noticeable signs of aging in the upper face, such as wrinkles in the forehead and sagging eyebrows due to aging, overuse of facial expressions, and excess skin above the eyebrows.
If a person's eyebrows are located lower than where they should ideally be, or they have an ideal brow height but would still like the outer arches of the brows to be elevated, they would benefit from a brow lift, even if they have no or minimal wrinkles and excess skin.
Brow suspension
Suspension of brows with a thread lift is a non-surgical brow lift technique. Sutures are placed through small incisions in the hairline to lift the brows. While this is a simple procedure that takes about 20 minutes, its effects last about 12-15 months. Opting for more permanent solutions may increase patient satisfaction in the long run.
You can read more on thread lifts here.
Upper eyelid surgery and brow lift
If there is sagging excess skin on the outer corner of the upper eyelid, the tendency is to correct this with upper blepharoplasty. However, this excess may, in part, be due to the drooping of the brow skin. If that's the case, a brow lift will function as an eyelid surgery and lift the eyelid off the eye. Your surgeon will determine which procedure will best suit your needs in your consultation.
1. Endoscopic Brow Lift
Advanced brow lift methods allow the procedure to be performed with minimum incisions. Endoscopic brow lift done through very small incisions is one of these methods. It is a type of brow lift performed using an endoscope, a small camera that allows the surgeon to see inside the patient's body. This minimally invasive technique is designed to elevate the brow and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines on the forehead with minimal scarring.
Frequently asked questions
How is an endoscopic brow lift done?
During an endoscopic brow lift, the surgeon will make 3-5 small incisions behind the hairline. A small endoscope is inserted through one of the incisions to view the underlying tissues and muscles. The surgeon will then use specialized instruments to lift the tissues beneath the brow, anchor them to the bone and trim excess skin. Finally, the incisions are closed with sutures. Since the incisions are made behind the hairline, there is no visible scarring.
The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia or IV sedation and takes 1-2 hours to complete.
Is an endoscopic brow lift permanent?
What is the recovery period like after an endoscopic brow lift?
What is the cost of an endoscopic brow lift in Turkey?
2. Short-Scar Brow Lift
A short-scar brow lift, also called a minimal-incision brow lift, is a less invasive procedure and involves a shorter incision than other brow lift operations. The healing period is relatively faster, and patients can return to their daily lives more quickly.
Younger patients who naturally have lower brows or who have started feeling the effects of aging on the corners of their eyes and arches of their brows may opt for this procedure.
An endoscopic brow lift may be more suitable for patients with more advanced skin laxity who need longer-lasting results.
Frequently asked questions
How is a short-scar brow lift done?
A short-scar brow lift involves making two small incisions behind the hairline and repositioning the tissues to create a tighter and more youthful appearance. This procedure makes it possible to lift the brows with minimal incisions and especially benefits those patients who do not have too much excess skin.
Since incisions are hidden in the hairline, there is no visible scarring. The operation can be performed under local anesthesia or IV sedation.
More advanced procedures can be done as aging continues. For instance, rejuvenation procedures such as temporal lifts and facelifts provide more comprehensive results.
What is the recovery period like after a short-scar brow lift?
What is the cost of a short-scar brow lift in Turkey?
3. Direct Brow Lift
Drooping eyebrows is one of the many effects of aging that creates a sad, tired, and irritable expression. Sagging eyebrows caused by weakened facial muscles may lead to vision problems, especially in men with thick eyebrows.
A direct brow lift is a procedure that can raise eyebrows, but it is performed in a select group of patients since it can cause some visible scarring.
Your surgeon will determine whether you are a good candidate for a direct brow lift in your consultation.
Frequently asked questions
How is a direct brow lift done?
Before the surgery, the patient's eyebrows are carefully marked to show the desired eyebrow position. This is done very carefully while the patient is awake and standing. The operation is performed under local anesthesia or IV sedation. Incisions are made right above the eyebrow line to remove excess skin and tissue. The procedure ends after the incisions are closed with sutures and takes about an hour. The patient can be discharged on the same day.
What is the recovery period like after a direct brow lift?
What is the cost of a direct brow lift in Turkey?