Brow Lift

The procedure known as an endoscopic or minimal incision forehead lift or brow lift is becoming more popular in North America. With this procedure, the positioning of the eyebrows can be equalized and what appears to be a tired, sad, or angry look can be dramatically softened. This procedure is usually combined with division of the glabellar muscles, which are the muscles that cause the scowl or frown lines. The results of the combination of these procedures are a more aesthetically pleasing brow and a more youthful appearance. The endoscopic technique allows the procedure to be performed in a minimally invasive manner.

Your Consultation

During your initial consultation, your physician will discuss your goals for the surgery and explain your probable outcome of treatments. Through the aid of computer imaging, Dr. Roche will show you what is realistic to achieve through the benefits of endoscopic brow lifting. Some patients can still benefit more from a traditional or classical method if they have a tremendous amount of hooding of the outside portion of the eyebrow.

The Procedure

The endoscopic approach is performed through one-half to one-inch incisions hidden behind the hairline so they are not perceptible. Under your choice of anesthesia, either twilight or general, after the incisions are made, a small television camera is placed under the skin. The forehead skin is lifted through the aid of the television camera down to the level of the eyebrow. The frowning muscles or scowling muscles are divided, as are the connections of the eyebrow, laterally.

If eyebrows are at different levels before surgery, they can usually be equalized to within one millimeter of each other. After determining the appropriate positioning of the eyebrow, Dr. Roche secures your tissue to your own skull or remaining skin with tiny dissolvable screws under the skin. This gives permanence to the appearance and yields a long-lasting result. Some patients present wanting simply to divide their scowl muscles. For these patients, Dr. Roche utilizes a local anesthetic and the division of the glabellar muscles can be performed in the office.

A head dressing around the eyebrows is placed after this procedure and worn by the patient overnight. Dr. Roche removes this head dressing the next day. Healing time for this procedure is typically five to seven days.

Recovery

There is a minimal amount of discomfort following a brow lift. There will be swelling and bruising that may last from seven to ten days. For some patients, this may include the cheeks and eyelids. Keeping your head elevated and applying cold compresses will help to reduce swelling. As your incisions heal, you may notice some itching and possibly some numbness. These symptoms will diminish over time. You may wear make-up after three days, and your stitches will be removed in seven to ten days. Strenuous activity is restricted for six weeks. The benefits of an endoscopic brow lift are smaller incisions, minimal scarring, less bleeding, less hair loss, minimal numbness, and a quicker return to normal activities.

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