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Browlift

Brow lift surgery, also known as a forehead lift or eyebrow lift, is a procedure that elevates and reshapes the eyebrow region in order to achieve a more youthful appearance. As we age, gravity and a loss of skin elasticity can cause the eyebrows and forehead to descend or droop. This can result in a heavy, tired look with deeply creased wrinkles on the forehead. A descended brow can also cause the eyelids to sag or look crowded, adding to a prematurely aged look.

San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. John Hilinski performs brow lift surgery and is highly experienced in multiple advanced techniques. Although the brow lift can be done as an isolated procedure, it is commonly performed in combination with blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). Together these procedures help provide a more rejuvenated look to the entire upper face and forehead. The brow lift is also commonly performed in tandem with facelift.

Endoscopic Brow Lift Surgery

Traditionally, the brow lift procedure required a wide incision across the scalp. Now, with the advancements in surgical technology, a brow lift can be done endoscopically (endobrow), which only requires small incisions. In this less invasive surgical technique, small telescopes are used to reposition the brow. As a result, there is minimal downtime with less swelling, bruising, and numbness.

Types of Brow Lift Procedures

The endoscopic brow lift is a popular procedure, but it is not right for everyone. Patients with a high forehead, where the hairline starts farther back, may not be good candidates for the endoscopic brow lift. In addition to the endoscopic brow lift, other types of brow lift procedures include:

  • Pretrichial Brow Lift An alternative to an endoscopic brow lift, this surgery will typically entail an incision made in front of the hairline. By using this technique, patients can achieve both an enhanced brow position as well as a lowered hairline on the forehead to shorten a high forehead.
  • Trichial Brow Lift The trichial brow is similar to the Pretrichial, but this lift does not shorten the forehead. This procedure elevates the brow through the removal of a defined amount of forehead skin.
  • Temporal Brow Lift In this procedure, which is often performed with blepharoplasty, the end of the brow is raised, which can provide a more feminine, arched brow appearance.
  • Direct and Indirect Brow Lift Surgeries These procedures are an option for male patients who are bald, balding, or have thinning hair. or the direct technique, an incision is made right above the brow; an indirect lift involves the incision made in a horizontal forehead crease.

“Dr. Hilinski was very good at communicating my options for several procedures. He took the time to make sure I understood how to achieve my goals while still maintaining a natural look. He is very knowledgable and approachable. It meant a lot to me and helped me to make a decision that I was very happy with. If you are looking for great, natural looking results for any procedure, I would highly recommend him!”

What Happens During a Brow Lift Procedure?

The first step is a consultation appointment at our San Diego office to discuss your surgical options with Dr. Hilinski. Brow lift surgery is typically performed at an outpatient surgery center, although some limited brow lifts like the temporal brow lift may be performed as an office-based procedure. Deep sedation (twilight anesthesia) or general anesthesia are commonly used. In some cases, local anesthesia alone may be used for a lateral temporal lift, direct brow lift, or indirect brow lift. The surgery typically takes two to three hours to complete. Dr. Hilinski is dedicated to providing the best possible surgical experience to each patient.

Brow Lift Results

Patients who have brow lift surgery are often pleased by how much younger and refreshed they appear. Dr. John Hilinski strives to exceed patient expectations and deliver results that help his San Diego patients look naturally rejuvenated. View photos of real patient results in our brow lift gallery.

Recovery from Brow Lift Surgery

Swelling and bruising are common during the first seven to ten days after surgery, particularly around the eyes. Any pain or discomfort that patients experience can be controlled with low-dose prescription medication. Dressings, bandages and stitches are removed 5-7 days following surgery. Refinements and improvements are seen immediately after the dressings have been removed. Final healing takes place over several weeks. Most patients are presentable in public within seven to ten days and work can usually be resumed at this time. Patients who are not bothered by the bandages may be able to return to work sooner.1

Planning Your Browlift Procedure

Average Cost: $6,000
Average Procedure Time: 2 hours
Average Recovery Time: 10 days
Post-Op Consultation: 3 months
 
*Procedure pricing and results with Dr. Hilinski may vary. Your personalized treatment plan and pricing will be determined at your consultation appointment.
 

Am I A Candidate For Brow Lift Surgery?

Patients who are interested in a brow lift are often looking to improve a tired, sad, or aged look caused by unwanted heaviness of the upper eyelid. Many brow lift patients initially inquire about upper eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, as a heavy or drooping brow may be partially or entirely responsible for the cosmetic deformity along the upper eyelid region. It is not uncommon for patients to undergo a combined brow lift and upper eyelid lift. Some patients have excess eyelid skin and a heavy brow which contribute to impaired peripheral vision, in which case the surgery may be covered to some degree by insurance. You may be a good candidate for brow lift surgery if you are:

  • In general good health
  • Do not suffer from eyelid muscle weakness, dry eyes, excessive tearing, or double vision
  • Are bothered by a heavy or drooping brow
  • Feel prematurely aged by deep forehead wrinkling or sagging eyebrows

How Much Does A Brow Lift Cost?

The price of brow lift surgery can vary greatly based on a number of factors, including the type of brow lift, and the surgical technique and anesthesia that is used. During your consultation appointment, Dr. Hiliniski will outline your options and our office will provide you with a transparent estimate of your surgical cost. We offer a number of payment options, including financing for qualified patients. Learn more about financing options for brow lift surgery.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Brow Lift Surgery

Q – What is a brow lift?
The brow lift, also known as a forehead lift or browplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure designed to rejuvenate the upper one-third of the face, or the area above the brow. The brow lift can elevate and reshape the brow to improve brow shape and/or heaviness or drooping of the brow.

Q – What type of anesthesia is used for the brow lift?
Patients may elect to have either deep sedation (twilight anesthesia) or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia is sometimes used for later temporal lift, direct brow lift and indirect brow lift procedures.

Q – How is the brow lift performed?
The exact nature of the brow lift surgery will depend on the technique used. For an isolated temporal brow lift, a narrow, elliptical-shaped incision is made in the temporal hair. The incision is carried down to a safe level that can be elevated toward the brow, allowing safe mobilization and elevation of the lateral brow. The tail of the brow is then suspended and repositioned in an upward and outward direction, and then stabilized with carefully placed sutures. Additional sutures or staples are used to close the scalp incision.

An endoscopic brow lift, also known as an endobrow, includes a temporal brow lift on both sides. An incision is made in the midline of the scalp along with an incision just off the midline of the scalp on the left and right sides. Working through the incisions, the forehead is safely mobilized with the help of narrow surgical telescopes that allow for visualization of the surgical dissection. The attachments keeping the brow down are released and, if there is excess activity of the frown muscles in between the brow, these are addressed by cutting the individual muscles. The brow is then lifted directly upward and stabilized in the new position. An absorbable suspension device, termed an endotine, is used to stabilize the new position of the central brow. The endotine slowly reabsorbs over the next several months. The lateral is suspended and stabilized with carefully placed sutures, the scalp incisions are closed, and a compressive forehead wrap is applied.

The pretrichial and trichial brow lifts involve incisions similar to those made for an endoscopic brow lift. Surgical telescopes are not used. Instead, dissection is performed through the longer incision under direct vision. The brow is released and the frown muscles altered similar to the endobrow, and the brow is then suspended according to how much skin is removed along the incision. Fine sutures are used to close the incision and a compressive wrap is applied to the forehead.

For a direct brow lift, incisions are carefully planned, marked and made along the upper border of the eyebrow, with the width of the curved incision corresponding to the amount the brow will be elevated. Skin is removed and the brow is lifted using permanent or semi-permanent sutures attached to the underlying muscle. Fine sutures are used to close the incision. The indirect brow lift is similar to the direct brow lift except the incision is placed within a well-formed horizontal forehead crease.2

Q – How long does the brow lift take to perform?
The brow lift usually takes two to three hours to perform.

Q – Where are the incisions made for the brow lift?
The location of the brow lift incisions will depend on the technique used. The lateral temporal brow lift involves an incision that is hidden within the temple scalp hair. The endoscopic brow lift involves incisions which are entirely hidden within the hair, including three short incisions along the top of the scalp and a temple incision on each side. For the pretrichial and trichial brow lifts, a continuous incision is made which follows the front hairline contour and extends into the temple hair on each side. The pretrichial incision is made at the front of the hairline while trichial incision is made inside the hairline. A direct brow lift involves an incision which is placed immediately above the brow hair while an indirect brow lift placed the incision in a well-developed or deep horizontal forehead crease.

Q – Are there scars after a brow lift?
The incisions made during the brow lift will result in scars, the degree of which will depend upon the particular technique used. The incisions are generally placed so as to be well-concealed, often within or at the hairline or within a deep forehead crease.

Q – Does Brow Lift Surgery Hurt?
Patients may experience some pain or discomfort which can be well controlled with low-dose prescription medication.

Q – How long after brow lift surgery will I be able to return to work?
Work and other normal activities can usually be resumed within seven to ten days after the brow lift. Patients who are not bothered by the bandages may be able to return to work sooner.

Q – When will I be able to exercise after my brow lift?
Aerobic activity and recondition can usually be resumed within ten to fourteen days after the brow lift. Strenuous activity and resistance workouts may be resumed in about three to four weeks.

Q – When are the stitches removed after the brow lift?
The stitches are usually removed within five to six days after the brow lift.

Q – Are there risks or complications with the brow lift?
Any type of surgical procedure carries some risk, which can be minimized by seeing an experienced board-certified surgeon and following all post-surgical instructions. Some potential risks of brow lift surgery include infection, bleeding complications, and nerve damage. The risks associated with brow lift surgery are typically low.

Q – Does insurance cover the brow lift procedure?
Brow lift procedures are generally not covered by insurance when performed solely for cosmetic purposes. Some coverage may be available when excess skin of a heavy brow contributes to a loss in peripheral vision. This finding will need to be found on objective testing and examination with your physician.

 
 

1 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What should I expect during my brow lift recovery? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/brow-lift/recovery. Accessed October 28, 2020.
2 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What are the steps of a brow lift procedure? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/brow-lift/procedure. Accessed October 28, 2020.

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