Considering a Forehead Lift?

A forehead lift is often performed to treat conditions associated with aging. It may be done in conjunction with other rejuvenative surgery to achieve a more harmonious facial appearance. A forehead lift is also appropriate for treatment of certain inherited traits. Younger adults who have a low brow or who already have deep frown lines due to stress or overactivity of muscles may benefit from the procedure.

Am I a good candidate for a forehead lift?

Any one or combination of the following conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for a forehead lift:

• sagging or low position of the eyebrows, creating a tired or sad appearance
• deep horizontal creases across the forehead
• frown lines, or furrows, between the eyebrows and sometimes across the top of the nose

A forehead lift can improve all of these problems. It may often be performed at the same time as a facelift which removes excess skin and tightens muscles in the mid and lower face. if there is significant skin overhang in the upper eyelids, or puffy bags beneath your eyes, eyelid surgery may be recommended in addition to a forehead lift. Your plastic surgeon will provide further information if you have an interest in these procedures.

How is my plastic surgeon able to improve my frown lines and the position of my eyebrows?

In many instances, an incision is made across the top of the scalp, beginning above the ears and hidden within the hair. Sometimes, the incision may be placed at the front of the hairline or, in some cases, toward the middle of the scalp. The incision is designed to be inconspicuous when healed. Through the forehead lift incision, your plastic surgeon can modify or remove parts of the muscles that cause wrinkling and frown lines, remove excess skin, and lift your eyebrows to a more pleasing level.

Another forehead lift technique uses an endoscope, a long, thin tube with a light on the end, attached to a video camera. The endoscope is inserted through several tiny incisions in the scalp and allows the plastic surgeon to see and work on the various internal structures of the forehead. The endoscopic technique has the advantage of requiring very minimal incisions, but it may not be equally beneficial for all patients. In some instances, alternate methods may be preferable, or a combination of endoscopic and other techniques may be used.

Sometimes, if your main concern is frown lines between your eyebrows or across the top of your nose, a limited endoscopic procedure to correct these problems can be done. Alternatively, if you are having upper eyelid surgery performed to remove excess skin, it may be possible to treat your frown lines by the same upper eyelid incisions.

When can I resume my normal activities?

You should avoid straining, bending and lifting during the early postoperative period. In many instances, however, you will be able to resume most of your normal activities in ten days or less. You will be advised to wait several weeks before resuming strenuous activity and exercise. You should temporarily avoid exposure to direct sunlight and, for the long-term, be conscientious about the use of a sunblock to protect your skin.

Results of Your Forehead Surgery

A forehead lift eliminates the tired, worried or angry expression often caused by low eyebrow position and deep forehead furrows. Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait at least several weeks to get an accurate picture of how you look.

How long will the results last?

How long the results of your forehead lift will last depends on many variables including your heredity and lifestyle factors. Even though the aging process continues, patients are usualy happy with their apperance for many years following a forehead lift. Some patients find that they want to make additional improvements at a later time.

Maintaining a Relationship with Your Plastic Surgeon

You will return to your plastic surgeon's office for follow-up care at prescribed intervals, at which time your progress will be evaluated. Your surgeon will encourage you to schedule routine mammographic evaluations at the frequency recommended for your age group.

Please remember that the relationship with your plastic surgeon does not end when you leave the operating room. If you have questions or concerns during your recovery, or need additional information at a later time, you should contact your surgeon.

Content provided by The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).