How Does a Brow Lift Work?

There are different methods and approaches to brow lift (or forehead lift) surgery and each is suitable for a different application. Choosing the right one depends on understanding the patient and their desired outcomes. A cosmetic surgery professional should know which technique is most appropriate for the situation and exactly what it requires for success.

The experts at Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors have compiled the important information about each brow lift method in the following guide. Read on to find out how each type of brow lift surgery is carried out, the responsibilities of a cosmetic surgeon during brow lift surgery, and what you should expect when you opt to undergo the procedure.

What are the Different Brow Lift Procedure Techniques?

Each brow lift procedure involves incisions being made to the target area. However, the focus area will be different depending on the specific procedure, and each type of brow lift will diverge from this point.
The following list details the five main different types of brow lift surgery and what they involve:

• Direct brow lift - necessary for people with large or bushy eyebrows, direct brow lift surgery involves removal of the skin above the eyebrows. It is a less time-consuming surgery than other methods and can be performed under local anaesthetic.
• Hairline brow lift - this procedure is ideal for patients with high or receding hairlines. The hairline technique involves the removal of a small section of skin and tissue from the area between the hairline and forehead. This procedure can bring the hairline lower while lifting the brows.
• Endoscopic brow lift - this surgery involves lifting the forehead tissues. For endoscopic procedures, the surgeon will make a number of small incisions in the forehead, insert a camera into one and an instrument through another to access the tissue. Afterwards, the incisions are closed with stitches.
• Temporal brow lift - the surgeon will make small incisions behind the hairline, near the temples, to tighten the skin and tissue and lift the brows.
• Coronal brow lift - similar to a temporal lift, a coronal brow lift involves an incision just behind the hairline. However, instead of making a number of small incisions, the surgeon makes just one and lifts the forehead so it overlaps the cut. This overlap is then surgically removed and the skin is sewn together to heal.

What Should I Expect Following a Brow Lift?

Compared to other cosmetic surgeries, brow lifts are generally considered less painful and are expected to heal more quickly, with most patients feeling only minor discomfort and tightness in the forehead during recovery. However, there is still an aftercare procedure to follow to ensure that your forehead heals properly, and any deviations from it may result in the wounds becoming infected.

Your surgeon should specify how long you should keep on any dressings and should make appointments with you to inspect your healing progress over the course of your recovery period. This should take around three to four weeks, but might not heal fully for up to two months. Swelling may last for around ten days after the surgery. Even after this time is up, you should make sure to keep out of strong sunlight and use plenty of sun cream. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause scars to become more prominent and damage the skin, so this is best avoided.

What Should I Do To Ensure the Best Chances of Healing?

After any cosmetic procedure, you should avoid strenuous activity. This includes heavy lifting, any exercise more strenuous than a light walk and anything that might put strain on your forehead muscles.

When washing, do not point the showerhead directly at your forehead. Instead, allow water to drain over your wounds, and make sure to wash out any soap afterwards. You should completely avoid having baths until the recovery period is over or until your surgeon says you are safe to bathe. Washing incorrectly or submerging wounds in water can lead to infection or problems with the healing process.

To ensure that your wounds heal properly overnight, prop yourself up with lots of pillows and make sure to sleep on your back. It is important you create the best environment for sleep and get lots of rest as this is when your body will do the majority of its healing.

What Should I Do if Something Goes Wrong?

If your wounds become infected, you should seek advice from your surgeon or a different medical professional immediately. Signs of infection include persistent itchiness, painful swelling that is hard and does not go away, and persistent drainage of fluids from your wounds.

Medical professionals are legally bound by a duty of care, which states that they must meet a national standard when treating patients and not cause harm. If your surgeon neglected their duties and you suffered harm during surgery due to their actions, you may be entitled to compensation.

You should consider making a compensation claim if you have experienced medical negligence, as this can help you to pay for potentially expensive corrective surgery and any other support that may be essential to your recovery.

Speak to Us Today

The experts at Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors will guide you through the entire process of making a brow lift claim. Speak to us by calling 0808 189 7714 or submitting an​​​​​​​ online enquiry form.