Frequently Asked Questions about Forehead Lifts
Some of the most obvious signs of facial aging in both men and women are the heavy wrinkles and folds that appear in the forehead. Over time, the natural elasticity of the skin can lessen, and gravity can cause the forehead and brow region to sag and droop, creating a heavy, hooded appearance and contributing to the development of deep horizontal lines. One of the most common ways to address these issues is with a forehead, or brow lift. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this extremely effective plastic surgery procedure.
What signs of facial aging can a forehead lift address?
A forehead lift is specifically designed to address brow hooding and wrinkle lines that develop horizontally across the forehead, and may also help minimize the appearance of frown lines, the vertical creases that can occur on the bridge of the nose, between the eyes. Subtly lifting the brow line can help alleviate the heavy, hooded appearance that can occur as natural sagging, or ptosis, affects the forehead, making the eyes more visible and giving the entire face a more youthful and rested appearance.
Am I a good candidate for a forehead lift?
Optimal candidates for a brow lift are patients who are physically healthy, do not smoke, and have a positive outlook and realistic expectations. Every face ages differently and there is no specific age when a brow lift is most appropriate. Patients who are bothered by frown lines between the brows that make them look “too serious” or by hooding of the eyes that can make them look tired or depressed are generally those who are best served by a brow lift procedure.
Can a forehead lift be performed in conjunction with other plastic surgery procedures?
Many patients opt to combine facial plastic surgery procedures in order to reduce overall cost and minimize their recovery time. Brow lift results are often complemented by a blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, that removes excess sagging skin and fat deposits from the upper and/or lower eyelids, giving the eyes a refreshed and rejuvenated look. Patients also frequently choose to give the skin a refreshed and renewed appearance and even out the overall skin tone after a brow lift with laser skin resurfacing or a chemical peel.
How long do the results from a forehead lift last?
Facial rejuvenation procedures like a forehead lift can effectively turn back the clock, erasing many of the effects that time and gravity can have on the face. However, they do not stop the aging process entirely and, over time, brow wrinkles and sagging can eventually return. Minimally invasive cosmetic maintenance procedures, like Botox® injectable treatments, can help further delay the appearance of lines and wrinkles and help preserve your brow lift results.
How extensive is the scarring after a forehead lift?
In most cases, advanced surgical techniques make it possible to perform a brow lift procedure with only tiny, nearly-invisible incisions hidden within the hair line. This endoscopic “key-hole” approach makes adjustments to the tissue and underlying muscle using only a thin tube fitted with a camera and special instruments, avoiding unsightly scarring and significantly reducing overall recovery time. Even if the surgery needs to be completed in a more traditional manner, our experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons can use various techniques to keep scarring to a minimum.
Every patient is unique and every face ages differently, and we combine experience and innovation to help each patient reach their individual aesthetic goals. Please contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation so that we can see how to provide you with the best possible plastic surgery experience from start to finish. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic surgery news and updates.
