When I consult with patients considering an eyebrow lift (also called a forehead lift), they’re sometimes surprised at the number of techniques used to perform this popular procedure and wonder which is best for them. As a double-board certified facial plastic surgeon, I offer 6 brow lift techniques at my Nashville, TN, practice, each providing unique benefits.
Before comparing the different types of forehead lift techniques, however, it’s useful to know the difference between a brow lift and eyelid surgery.
Do I Need a Brow Lift or Eyelid Surgery?
Both brow lift and upper eyelid surgeries are typically performed for cosmetic reasons, although in some cases, droopy upper eyelids can obstruct vision. Eyelid surgery involves an incision made in the crease of the upper eyelid. Removing excess skin and sometimes fat creates a more alert appearance. A brow lift addresses forehead wrinkles, frown lines, and drooping of the brow that can make patients appear grumpy or older.
What Are the 6 Types of Brow Lift?
So, which brow lift is the right one for you? A facial plastic surgeon determines that after discussing your concerns and conducting a thorough physical examination.
Here’s a brief summary of each of the eyebrow lift techniques I perform:
Endoscopic Brow Lift
An endoscopic brow lift is sometimes also called a minimal incision brow lift. I make 4 or 5 very small incisions behind the hairline with this technique, rather than one long incision. I insert an endoscope, a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera at its end, through these incisions. This camera provides a clear view of the tissue and muscle below the skin that is lifted during this minimally invasive procedure.
Coronal Brow Lift
More invasive than the endoscopic brow lift, a coronal brow lift involves making a single incision in the hairline that extends across the top of the head from ear to ear. This incision provides access to the tissues from above and enables a surgeon to elevate the entire forehead. Considered a traditional brow lift, this procedure requires a longer recovery than the endoscopic technique.
Pretrichial Brow Lift
This technique requires a bit more technical expertise and is best suited for patients with high foreheads because removing the skin lowers the hairline. To perform this procedure, I make an incision right at the hairline or just behind it.
Mid-Forehead Brow Lift
Patients with deep furrows in their foreheads may be good candidates for this approach, which involves making incisions in the crease of the forehead. During the procedure, excess skin is removed and a sagging brow is elevated by repositioning the underlying muscle and tissue.
Lateral Brow Lift
Less extensive than other techniques, a lateral (or temporal) brow lift focuses on the outer third of the eyebrows rather than the full forehead. This area tends to sag earlier than the area above the eyebrows, and the procedure is often combined with upper eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) to produce an overall refreshed appearance.
Browpexy
Often confused with a brow lift, browpexy is a distinct technique that I typically combine with upper eyelid surgery. A browpexy raises the area above the eyelid, using internal sutures to fasten the brow to a place slightly higher than the brow ridge. This is a more conservative approach that avoids making an incision in the scalp, hairline, or forehead. It’s useful for men and women with receding hairlines.
A sagging brow or forehead that makes you appear tired, angry, or older than you feel is frustrating. A brow lift creates a rested, alert, and more youthful appearance, as you can see in the gallery of before-and-after photos featuring some of my actual patients. If you are interested in your best brow lift options and looking for a facial plastic surgeon in Nashville, TN, contact us using the online form to request a consultation or call us at (615) 942-8016 to schedule an appointment.
Leave a Reply