Brow Lift

A Brow Lift is a procedure which corrects drooping brows and improves the furrows, wrinkles and frown lines that develop above, between and around the eyes.

A popular form of anti-ageing surgery, there are various reasons for considering a brow lift. Drooping eyebrows may give your face a tired, sad, severe or aged look. In some cases, they may even affect your vision.

Whatever your reasons for considering a brow lift, it can help give you a more refreshed and youthful look, particularly in the area surrounding the eyes. In many patients, this can help to improve their confidence and self-esteem. However, it is important that you are realistic about what you expect from this surgery and understand that results can vary significantly from patient to patient for a number of reasons.

Your Procedure

The muscles and tissues that cause the brow to furrow or droop are removed or altered to raise the eyebrows and minimise lines. The procedure can be completed using one of the two following methods:

• An incision is made across the scalp, just behind the hairline. Excess tissue under the skin is removed and the muscles are weakened or removed. The eyebrows are lifted to a higher position using sutures, the forehead skin is pulled upwards and excess skin is removed.
• An Endoscopic Brow Lift is performed with an endoscope — a viewing instrument that allows the procedure to be performed with minimal incisions. The endoscope is passed through an incision and the forehead skin is released from the underlying bone and lifted upwards. Sutures are placed under the skin to lift the brow. Temporary screws may also be inserted behind the hairline or tiny screws under the skin may be left in place. No forehead skin is removed and the hairline remains unchanged.

The surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and normally takes 1 to 2 hours. Your total stay in hospital should be one night.

After your operation

• Some pain or discomfort can be expected. This will eventually settle and can generally be managed with regular oral pain medication.
• You may notice some initial bruising and swelling. It is important to rest with your head elevated on pillows following your procedure to decrease excessive bleeding or swelling.
• You will have clips in the wounds in your scalp. It is normal to have a small amount of bleeding/weeping from these wounds.

At home

• Any pain or discomfort should be managed with oral pain medication.
• You will have some decreased sensation/numbness in your scalp around your wounds. This is completely normal and should subside within one to two months.
• Continue to sleep with your head elevated on pillows.
• It is ok for you to wash your hair gently in cool-warm water only.
• Avoid heavy lifting, over exertion, strenuous exercise and bending over for three weeks after surgery. Returning to normal activity is an individual matter and will depend on your individual circumstances. Generally most patients return to work one week after their procedure.
• The routine time for your post-operative appointment with the Clinic Nurse is seven to ten days after your procedure, at which time your clips will be removed.

Problem signs

Surgery is not without its risks. You should be aware of any signs that something might be wrong. The symptoms below are potentially serious and would require you to contact the clinic, your GP or your closest emergency department:

• Signs of infection, such as a high temperature, heavy discharge from your wound, an increase in redness around your wound, or a dramatic increase in pain that is not relieved by oral pain medication.
• Increased swelling around your wound.
• Nausea or vomiting which does not settle.