What You Need to Know Before Undergoing a Brow Lift

If you are considering a brow lift in the near future, it's a good idea to make yourself aware of the process and the risks involved with this type of procedure. Here, the experts at Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors explain everything you need to know before going through with a brow lift, including the different ways that the procedure can be performed and the risks you should be aware of.

What is a Brow Lift?

A brow lift may also be known as a forehead lift or browplasty. It is a cosmetic procedure that aims to combat sagging eyebrows, and it can also reduce and smooth forehead wrinkles or frown lines. Sagging brows and wrinkles can give the face an old or tired look, and a brow lift is a popular option because it can provide a rejuvenated appearance of the eyebrow, eye, and forehead areas.

Why is a Brow Lift Performed?

As we get older, the forehead area will naturally start to move downwards because the soft tissue and skin start to lose their elasticity. The distance between your eyelashes and your eyebrows becomes shorter, and this can make your face look old, sad, tired, or even angry. This can also result in wrinkles or frown lines on the forehead and around the eyes, which can also give the face an older look. By combating these symptoms, a brow lift can restore your face to a much more refreshed and youthful appearance.

What Happens During a Brow Lift?

There are several techniques that your doctor may use to perform a brow lift, depending on the results that you desire. The procedure is usually surgical in nature and will therefore be performed under general anaesthetic. Brow lift surgeries usually take around one to two hours to complete, but will require an overnight stay at the hospital.

We have broken down the techniques that are used to perform brow lifts below.

Coronal Brow Lift

During this procedure, your surgeon will make an incision behind your hairline from one ear to the other. They will then lift your forehead to its new position. The excess parts of the scalp are then removed, and the skin is sewn back together.

This procedure will leave a scar behind the hairline. With this in mind, this type of brow lift is not suitable for people with a high hairline, thin hair, or people likely to lose their hair in the future, due to the increased visibility of the scar.

Endoscopic Brow Lift

During an endoscopic brow lift, your surgeon will use keyhole surgery to complete the procedure. They will make a number of small incisions behind the hairline and insert a long tube that has a very small camera and light attached to the end of it. Your surgeon will then inspect the soft tissues and muscles in your forehead. They will then lift the forehead and pin it in place, and once this is complete, they will close the incisions with stitches.

Hairline Brow Lift

A hairline brow lift is usually performed on patients with a lot of hair and a high forehead. The surgeon will make some incisions at the top of the forehead and remove some tissue and skin. This will slightly reduce the length of the forehead without moving the hairline.

How to Prepare for a Brow Lift

To prepare for a brow lift, you will begin by talking to your plastic surgeon to discuss your expectations, undergo a physical exam, and review your medical history.

As with any type of surgery, there are several risks involved. With plastic surgery in particular, there is always a chance that you will be unhappy with the results, and there is sometimes very little that can be done. We have provided more detail about these risks blow.

To mitigate risks and prepare for the surgery, you should stop smoking before the surgery and avoid certain medications such as anti-inflammatories, aspirin, and herbal supplements. Ask your surgeon for advice if you are unsure. Because the surgery typically involves general anaesthetic, there are also risks associated with this that you should be aware of. You should also make sure to arrange for someone to pick you up from the hospital the day after your surgery.

What are the Risks of a Brow Lift?

There are several risks involved with a brow lift, and it is ultimately your decision to determine whether the positives of the surgery outweigh the risks. You will be asked to sign consent forms stating that you fully understand the procedure, including all of the risks and potential complications.

The risks involved with brow lift surgery include the following:

• Bleeding
• Anaesthesia risks
• Facial asymmetry
• Elevated hairline
• Eye dryness or irritation
• Infections
• Facial nerve injuries
• Fluid accumulation
• Numbness or other changes in the skin sensation
• Excessive itching
• Loss of hair around the incisions
• Persistent pain
• Possible revision surgery
• Poor wound healing
• Unfavourable scarring
• Rare risk of blood clots
• Skin loss

Your surgeon will discuss all the risks with you before the surgery. It is important that you ask your surgeon any questions you may have to ensure you feel comfortable and fully aware before the procedure.

Brow Lift Recovery

When the surgery is over, your forehead will be sore, bruised, and wrapped in a bandage to help to minimise the swelling. Some thin tubes may also be inserted into the wounds to help drain any excess fluid. The swelling and bruising will usually disappear after a few weeks.

Your surgeon will give you some instructions on how to look after the incisions yourself. There are several important steps that you can follow to assist with the healing process once you return home. These include the following:

• Take pain medication recommended by your doctor
• Apply a cold compress now and again to help reduce the swelling
• Avoid applying any excessive pressure to the head, face, or forehead area
• Rest with your head elevated

You may have to go back to see your doctor after a few days or weeks to have your stitches removed or to check over the wounds. Your doctor will let you know when it's safe to start washing and drying your hair again and when you can resume your normal daily activities.

If you experience any of the following symptoms after your surgery, you should contact your doctor immediately:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• An irregular heartbeat

Talk to Us

If you have experienced a brow lift gone wrong, contact us today to find out if you are eligible to claim compensation for medical negligence. Call us on 0808 256 2697 or complete our online enquiry form to request a call back at your convenience.