Brow Lift
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Chicago, IL
A brow lift, also known as a brow re-contour, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that reshapes the eyebrows and smooths the forehead to create a more youthful and refreshed appearance. The procedure can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, frown lines, and other signs of aging in the forehead and brow area.
Board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Phelps is a super subspecialist in complex reconstructive surgery of the eyelids and face, making him best suited to perform your brow lift safely and with the highest quality outcomes. At Chicago Oculofacial Plastic Surgery, he can guide you on the best treatment options for you.
Contact us online today or call (312) 888-5754 to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you achieve a more youthful and refreshed appearance with a brow lift.
Contents
Before and After Photos
About the Brow Lift
As we age, the soft tissues around our eyes tend to sag and droop due to gravity and a weakening of connective tissues in the face. (1) Sometimes brow ptosis (sagging) may not be immediately noticeable to patients, but they instead might complain of “tired eyes.” These patients may discover during a consultation that part of the issue is related to the ways that the nearby tissues have changed in position and appearance.
There are various techniques a surgeon can use to carry out a brow lift. (2) The best technique for you will depend on your cosmetic preferences and the extent of your facial sagging. Dr. Phelps will provide recommendations during your initial consultation at Chicago Oculofacial Plastic Surgery.
We can also perform eyebrow lift surgeries for patients who previously had blepharoplasty surgery and now notice bothersome signs of aging that extend beyond their eyelids.
Benefits
A brow lift can have many benefits for the patients who receive them, such as:
- Rejuvenated appearance: This procedure lifts drooping brows and surrounding facial skin, resulting in a more refreshed and wakeful facial expression.
- Reduced wrinkles: Lifting this upper area of the face can effectively reduce the appearance of deep lines on the forehead.
- Improved symmetry: The procedure can correct uneven brow positioning and contribute to better facial balance.
- Boosted confidence: Achieving a younger-looking brow can lead to increased self-esteem and confidence.
- Improved facial harmony: Lifting the brows can provide the face with an aesthetically pleasing balance in the context of other facial features.
- Long-lasting results: Patients can enjoy the results of a brow lift for years to come.
- Combinable with other procedures: A brow lift can be performed alone or in conjunction with other facial surgeries like eyelid surgery or facelift for comprehensive rejuvenation.
Candidates
Determining if you are a good candidate for a brow lift will require us to consider several factors, including your overall health, skin elasticity, and the extent of sagging or drooping of the brow area. Generally, traits that make patients good candidates for a brow lift include:
- Sagging or drooping brows that create a tired, angry, or sad appearance
- Deep forehead wrinkles or furrows between the eyebrows
- No medical conditions that could interfere with the healing process or the procedure
- Realistic expectations about the possible results
- Non-smoking or willing to stop smoking for a period before and after surgery
- Adequate skin elasticity to help achieve optimal results
Personal Consultation
It is important to first attend a consultation at Chicago Oculofacial Plastic Surgery so that we can help you determine if a brow lift is the right procedure for you. Dr. Phelps will evaluate your facial features, skin elasticity, and overall health to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. He will also discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure with you, as well as alternative treatment options, to help you make an informed decision about your care.
For personalized information on surgery that is specific to your needs, call us today at (312) 888-5754 or fill out our contact form so that we can help you schedule a personal consultation.
Preparation
To prepare for a brow lift, it is important to follow any pre-operative instructions that Dr. Phelps provides. These guidelines may include:
- Avoiding certain medications or supplements that can increase the risk of bleeding
- Quitting smoking, if applicable
- Arranging for someone to drive you home after the procedure
- Coordinating time away from work to allow for adequate rest
Procedure
During the procedure, Dr. Phelps will make incisions in discreet areas along the hairline or within the natural creases of the forehead. After making the incisions, Dr. Phelps will lift and reposition the soft tissues of the forehead and brow area, smoothing out wrinkles and lifting sagging skin. Brow lift techniques include:
- Direct Brow Lift: This traditional method involves making an incision directly above the brow itself, allowing excess skin to be removed and the underlying muscles to be tightened. The negative of this approach is a more visible scar above the brow in some patients.
- Temporal Brow Lift: This technique focuses primarily on lifting the outer edges of the brow. It is particularly effective for patients who are experiencing drooping in the outer brows or crow’s feet around the eyes. It is perhaps the most elegant way to recontour the eyebrow into a youthful position that will give an enduring result without looking surprised. (3)
- Endoscopic Brow Lift: Utilizing small incisions hidden within the hairline, this technique employs an endoscope—a tiny camera—to guide the surgeon and can be particularly helpful if the patient requires a lift of the medial eyebrow.
- Coronal Brow Lift: This type of brow lift involves a longer incision from ear to ear across the top of the head. While it provides excellent lifting results, it may result in more visible scars.
Once skin repositioning is complete, Dr. Phelps will secure the muscles and tissues into their new position with sutures and close the incisions. (1) The brow lift procedure typically takes 1-2 hours to complete, depending on the specific techniques used.
Recovery
The recovery period after a brow lift varies depending on the individual and the extent of the surgery. In general, you may experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the days following your procedure, which you can manage with designated pain medications. (2) Dr. Phelps may ask you to wear a special head dressing in the initial stages to aid healing. It is important to follow all of the post-operative care instructions that Dr. Phelps provides, which may include avoiding strenuous activities, not smoking, properly caring for the incision site, and keeping your head elevated to reduce swelling. You should also avoid excessive sun exposure.
It is also important to attend all follow-up appointments with us at Chicago Oculofacial Plastic Surgery so that Dr. Phelps can monitor your healing process and ensure that there are no complications.
Results
The results of your brow lift can potentially last several years, but the longevity of the results varies from person to person. (1) Factors that can affect the duration of the results include your age, skin type, and lifestyle habits such as sun exposure and smoking.
It is important to note that while a brow lift can provide long-lasting results, it does not stop the natural aging process. Over time, aging and gravity can cause the skin and soft tissues of the forehead to sag even after a brow lift, which may eventually lead to a less youthful appearance. (1) However, you can help prolong the results of your brow lift with proper skin care and sun protection. Some patients may prefer to receive additional cosmetic procedures if they want to enhance their facial rejuvenation results.
Corresponding & Complementary Procedures
Dr. Phelps can perform a brow lift as a standalone procedure or in combination with other procedures, such as a midface lift, a facelift, or a blepharoplasty. Dr. Phelps will work with you to determine the best approach for achieving your desired outcome.
Midface Lift & Facelift
A midface lift is an effective surgical intervention aimed at addressing signs of aging in the central region of the face. You can further achieve a natural-looking, enhanced appearance with a midface lift procedure at Chicago Oculofacial Plastic Surgery. Like the brows, the cheeks can also sag with time, causing the face to become less defined and appear more aged. By removing excess skin from this area, Dr. Phelps can restore a more youthful facial balance.
A facelift is a more comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation. With this procedure, Dr. Phelps can remove excess skin from the face to tighten the appearance of the jowls, neck, and midface. Combining a facelift with a brow lift will result in an overall enhanced appearance.
Blepharoplasty
A blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift, is a procedure during which Dr. Phelps can remove sagging skin from the upper and/or lower eyelids to further address an aged appearance. Like the brows, the upper eyelids can sag and make patients look unhappy, angry, or tired. Meanwhile, the area beneath the eyes can become altered by sagging fat pads or loose skin. Tightening or lifting these areas can make the eyes appear more wakeful and refreshed.
Cost of a Brow Lift in Chicago
The cost of a brow lift can vary depending on the techniques Dr. Phelps uses and if you are combining the surgery with any other treatments. At Chicago Oculofacial Plastic Surgery, we provide a pricing list so that you can see our cost approximations. To determine the exact cost of your brow lift, however, you will need to attend a personal consultation at our Chicago office.
To initiate your consultation, call us today at (312) 888-5754 or fill out our contact form.
FAQ
Does a brow lift reduce forehead wrinkles?
Yes, a brow lift significantly minimizes the appearance of wrinkles across the forehead while improving brow position.
How long do the results of a brow lift last?
Results from a brow lift can last many years, depending on factors like skin type, age, genetics, and lifestyle.
Can I combine a brow lift with other procedures?
Yes, you can! Patients may choose to combine brow lifts with variations of the facelift, eyelid surgery, and other procedures to achieve more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
Will there be visible scars after a brow lift?
Surgeons place brow lift incisions strategically at the hairline or along natural creases. With proper post-operative care, scars will fade over time.
References
- Jawad BA, Raggio BS. Direct Brow Lift. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559261/
- de Jongh FW, Sanches EE, Pouwels S, et al. An overview of surgical techniques and non-surgical treatments in lifting the eyebrow including current treatments available. European Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2022;46(1):1-8. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-021-01911-4
- Rafi Sirop Bidros, Salazar-Reyes H, Friedman JM. Subcutaneous Temporal Browlift Under Local Anesthesia: A Useful Technique For Periorbital Rejuvenation. 2010;30(6):783-788. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/1090820×10386929