Browlift

Overhanging skin in the upper eyelids can be addressed in two ways: an upper eye lid lift or a brow lift. While in the past surgeons often chose to automatically perform an upper eyelid lift to correct sagging of the upper lid, more often today, a brow lift is used to enhance the same result.

A brow lift can be performed alone or it may often be performed at the same time as a facelift which also removes excess skin and tightens muscles in the mid and lower face.

Younger adults who have a naturally low brow or who already have deep frown lines due to stress or muscle overactivity may also benefit from a brow lift.

Sometimes, patients may focus their attention on excess skin in the upper eyelids and not realize that it is their sagging eyebrows that are the cause of the problem. Dr. Waslen will explain the benefits of both eyelid surgery and brow lift as each procedure applies to you.

The surgical technique that Dr. Waslen recommends will depend on things such as the position of your eyebrows, the amount of excess upper eyelid skin you have and the height of your hairline (the height of your hairline can be altered a little after surgery).

Often, an incision is made across the top of the scalp, beginning above the ears and hidden in the hair. Sometimes, the incision may be placed at the front of the hairline or the middle of the scalp. The incision is designed to be inconspicuous when it is healed. Through the incision, Dr. Waslen can modify or remove parts of the muscles that cause frown lines, similar to botox, but can also remove excess skin and lift your eyebrows to a more youthful 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 Dr. Waslen to see and work on the inside structure of the forehead. The endoscopic technique has the advantage of requiring minimal incisions, but it may not be beneficial for all patients.

If your main concern is frown lines between your eyebrows, a limited endoscopic procedure can be performed to correct these problems. If you are having upper eyelid surgery performed, it may also be possible to treat frown lines by way of the incisions that are made in the upper eyelid.

Complications from a brow lift are infrequent though sometimes the normal numbness and itching that follow the surgery may be prolonged. Sometimes, patients experience minor hair loss where the scalp incisions were made, but this is usually temporary and is easy to conceal.

Swelling and bruising should be gone within two weeks. You may use camouflage makeup almost immediately. Do expect temporary numbness and possibly some itching of the scalp as the nerves heal.

You will have an accurate idea of how you will look within two weeks.

(click here for more information on browlifts)