As the face ages, the forehead may begin to lose it youthfulness causing the eyebrows to sag, therefore giving the impression that a person may be angry or sad. Dr. Motakis has performed numerous brow lifts to elevate sagging brows and smooth the contour of the forehead, giving the face a more youthful, rested and relaxed appearance.
What Is A Brow Lift?
Gravity, sun damage and other environmental insults often cause skin damage, relaxation and wrinkle formation across the forehead and in some people sagging of the eyebrows. Such changes may start appearing in the early 40s. If these signs of aging become significant, a “brow lift” or “forehead lift” helps lift the brows while smoothing out creases and lines on the forehead and between the eyes. Much less frequently, younger adults who have the inherited trait for a low brow or who have deep frown lines may also benefit from a forehead lift. Dr. Motaki’s attention to detail and his artistic skills allow him to lift the brows to their ideal position and shape.
Who Is A Good Candidate For A Brow Lift?
You are likely considered to be a good candidate if you have frown lines, wrinkles or creases on your forehead or between your eyes that may make you look angry, too serious or sad. A brow lift may be right for you if you have sagging eyebrows and eyelids that make you look tired. You may also benefit from brow lift surgery if your eyebrows are flat or sloped down and outwards rather than aesthetically arched. There is no specific chronological age to have this surgery, however, the best candidates are in the later half of their adult life, have realistic expectations and are in good health.
The Procedure
Depending on the case and desired outcome, Dr. Motakis will use one of three methods to perform brow lift surgery: the open brow lift, the endoscopic brow lift or the lateral brow lift. During an open or coronal brow lift surgery, a continuous incision is made across the scalp that is easily hidden within your hair. In some cases, when the forehead is long, the incision lies right at the hairline. When the forehead is short, the incision lies a few centimeters behind the hairline. The muscles that cause frown lines and wrinkles to appear are weakened, and your eyebrows are lifted to their ideal position giving you a rested, smooth, natural appearance. Alternatively, in less severe cases an endoscopic forehead lift is used. During an endoscopic brow lift surgery, tiny incisions are made in the hairline and an endoscope — a tiny camera — is inserted beneath the skin. The muscles that cause frown lines are weakened and the eyebrows are lifted. In this procedure, the scarring is typically minimal, and the recovery time is decreased. Lastly, when just the tail of the brow is droopy and the eyebrow appears downturned at its outer corner, Dr. Motakis performs a lateral brow lift to give the brow a more aesthetic, gently arched, appearance. The incisions for this procedure are hidden within the temple hairline and are thus imperceptible. In more resent years the use of fat grafting is also used to restore volume loss around the temples and under the brow. Depending on the degree of skin excess, heaviness of the wrinkles and skin, degree of eyebrow descent and hairline pattern, Dr. Motakis will recommend the procedure that is right for you.
What Is The Recovery Period From A Brow Lift?
On average, it takes approximately 1 to 2 weeks to recover from a brow lift. Initially, you should expect a few days of swelling and bruising with minimal discomfort which is treated with analgesics. You will receive instructions from Dr. Motakis concerning caring for your incisions while you recover from surgery. You will likely be able to resume light activities a week after your surgery. You will need approximately 1-2 weeks off from work, depending on the type of procedure performed.
What Are The Risk Factors Of Lower Face And Neck Lift Surgery?
Dr. Motakis makes every effort to execute the procedure in the most meticulous way, however, as with any surgery, swelling and bruising around the area treated can’t always be avoided but resolves over the first few days or weeks. Scarring is invariably imperceptible, but incisions may take a few weeks or months to fade. Rarely, bleeding, infection, changes in skin sensation or reaction to a medication or an anesthetic, may occur. Injury to important structures such nerves is extremely rare and usually resolves over time. The list of all possible risks will be discussed in detail during your consult and pre-operative appointment with Dr. Motakis and his team.
Are There Any Alternatives To A Surgical Brow Lift?
There is a multitude of non-invasive treatments available at our clinic that can help slow down and restore some of the signs of facial aging. Even though they may not amount to the dramatic improvement one gets with a forehead lift, they offer visible improvements and immediate gratification without the downtime. Significant eyebrow lift and forehead line reduction can be achieved using neuromodulators such as Botox© or Xeomin©. Injectable fillers such as Belotero ©, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, lasers (SmartSkin© fractional CO2 laser, Forma and Fractora© RF, Picosure©, IPL), can help brighten one’s complexion and minimize fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin and hyaluronic acid skin boosters, oxygen therapy and chemical peels can help restore the skin’s glow and youthful hydrated appearance. Lastly, high grade targeted medical skin care (such as ZO©, SkinMedica©, Neocutis©) can help you maintain these results daily. Many of these treatments are also ideal after a brow lift procedure to maintain and enhance the surgical result. During consultation, Dr. Motakis will guide you to the right treatment plan in order to accomplish and maintain the most optimal results.
Can A Brow Lift Be Combined With Other Procedures?
Many of Dr. Motakis’ patients combine their forehead lift procedure with other cosmetic procedures offered at our clinic. These procedures frequently include eyelid surgery or a facelift lift, fat injections, nano-fat grafting and platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections, buccal fat reduction, skin resurfacing with the SmartSkin© fractional CO2 laser or the Fractora© fractional radiofrequency device or hyaluronic acid injectable fillers such as Belotero ©, among many others.
