Brow Lift

Why opt for a Brow Lift?

As we age eyebrows begin to droop partially covering the eyelid area and thus giving a “tired” or “sad” look to the face. As a result, the wrinkles on the forehead become deeper, as the forehead muscles try to lift the eyebrow area. With the Brow Lift, these changes can be corrected while lifting and changing the shape of the eyebrow, where required.

Brow Lift in brief

There are two different Brow Lift techniques: 1) open brow lift and 2) endoscopic brow lift. The latter is the preferred technique in our clinic. All methods include detaching the forehead tissues, lifting them and stabilizing them at a higher point until they are completely healed.

Open Brow Lift

This classic technique involves removing the excess skin behind the hairline when it is lifted. Although this technique has excellent results, it is now used to a lesser extent, as it involves a longer recovery time and leaves a large scar which, however, remains hidden inside the scalp.

Endoscopic Brow Lift

Endoscopic Brow Lift is the most state-of-the-art technique. It involves the creation of small holes in the skin (“keyhole surgery”) behind the hairline, through which the whole operation is performed with the help of a camera. The forehead area is lifted and held in place with special sutures, while the skin and underlying suspended tissues heal.

Incisions

The incisions in the endoscopic brow lift are made at the borders of the front line of the hair, they heal extremely well and are indistinguishable.

Medication

In our clinic, a complete medical history is always taken before each surgery. As a precaution, over-the-counter medicines or herbal products should not be taken before and for 3 days after surgery. It is also considered necessary to avoid taking non-steroid, anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin (salospir), ibuprofen (Nurofen), diclofenac and any other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drug.

Smoking

If you are a smoker you should try to stop smoking for at least 1 week before and 1 week after the surgery as this will dramatically reduce the incidence of postoperative complications and help achieve the best possible result.

Recovery from a brow lift

Duration of the procedure

The surgery takes 1 to 1.5 hours and can be carried out under local or total anesthesia.

Hospitalization/Duration

Patients may be treated either as daycare cases or may be required to stay in the hospital overnight.

Wound dressing and sutures

Patients will have small sutures on the incisions which will be removed on the tenth postoperative day.

Absence from work

Although recovery time varies from person to person, patients should be given at least one to two weeks to fully recover. In most cases, patients feel quite comfortable during the first week and the only thing that may keep them from returning to work is the bruising and swelling that will occur.

Refraining from exercising

Patients are usually able to go brisk walking within five to seven days and swimming in 10 to 14 days (if they have fully recovered). However, strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least four weeks.

Post-op instructions

On day one you should ideally avoid any activity. You should not take care of small children or do household chores without help.

From the second to the fifth/fourth day you can get up and move, however, your eyes and forehead will have some visible, slight swelling. By the end of this period, you will feel minimal pain.

From day 5 to day 14 sutures will be removed, most of the swelling will subside and bruises will fade away. From that point onwards, you will start to feel much better. After ten days, you will be able to start with some gentle exercising gradually increasing the intensity. From the third week onwards you will have almost returned to your normal rhythms.

Driving

Patients who have undergone breast reduction should ideally avoid driving until they are completely free of any discomfort or restriction, in order to be able to make a sudden movement, such as braking, freely and without any pain. This parameter is proposed so that patients can secure coverage from their insurance company in case of an accident. Thus, it may take up to two weeks for them to fully recover. There are of course patients who feel able to drive after 4-5 days, but always at their own risk.

Postoperative follow-up

The incisions and the result will be checked and the dressings will be changed on the second postoperative day. Sutures will be removed as of the fifth to the eighth postoperative day. However, if you need any clarification or there is something that worries you, doctors are always at your disposal. Your next appointments will be after three and twelve months respectively and during said appointments, postoperative photos will be taken. For these visits, there will of course be no extra charge for any follow-up related to your surgery.

Final outcome

Immediately after the operation, eyebrows will be at a higher point than expected, while they will begin to take the final, desired position during the first weeks, continuing to improve over the next three months.

Possible complications from eyebrow lifting surgery

Brow Lift is a routine operation and is completely successful for the vast majority of our patients, which is a result of the large number of cases that doctors have in their belt. However, as with any surgery, it is very important to understand that there is a possibility of complications. Possible complications are listed below:

Irritation of the scalp

Patients may experience itching and tenderness on the scalp, but these symptoms do not last long as the sensation returns within a few months.

Minor asymmetry

Although the same surgery will be performed on both sides, there is a small risk of small asymmetries between the two sides.

Scars

The quality of the scars varies among patients.

Wound disruption

Although uncommon, if it occurs, it may lead to delayed wound healing and affect scar quality.

Hematoma

There is a chance of hematoma forming under the skin, which, if said hematoma is large enough, could result in the patient be brought back to the operating room for its removal. Hematomas usually occur within the first 24 hours after surgery and affect about 1% of patients.

Inflammation

It is quite an uncommon phenomenon, but if it occurs, antibiotics will be required.

Hair loss

Patients may experience some hair loss around the incisions. However, even if this occurs, it is rarely perceived.

If you experience any symptoms that may worry you, please do not hesitate to contact us.