What is a brow lift?
A brow lift (or forehead lift) will resuspend the forehead in a higher, more youthful position. As you age, one of the problems that the human face encounters is dropping of the forehead and brow. Another advantage of a brow lift is to diminish the horizontal lines and wrinkles that typically give a person an angry, tired, or sad look.
The procedure itself is relatively straightforward and can be combined with other facial procedures such as facelift, eyelid lift (blepharoplasty), neck lift, chin or cheek augmentation, or laser resurfacing.
Your consultation with Dr. Panossian is vital to tailoring the overall plan and approach used.
How is a brow lift performed?
Various techniques for lifting the brow currently exist. It is usually performed under general anesthesia and takes between 1.5-3 hours to complete. One way is to use a small camera (or, endoscope) through several small scalp incisions to visualize the area of the forehead. The muscles and deep tissues underneath the skin are then released and lifted to the desired position where they are anchored. Another technique uses two slightly longer incisions on either side of the forehead within the hair bearing scalp. This offers better visibility and can achieve a longer-lasting result in most cases. Each of these approaches has its advantages. In some cases, the frown muscles may need to be cut in order to create a more uniform lifting of the brow. This is similar to having “permanent Botox®” for the lines that occur between the eyes. Dr. Panossian can explain these differences in greater detail during your consultation and direct you to the technique that is right for you.
Recovery
How is the brow lift recovery?
Following surgery, Dr. Panossian may use a light head wrap. Sometimes a small thin drain tube is used to remove fluid that might accumulate. Dr. Panossian usually removes it within 24 hours in the office. At this point, patients can shower with shampoo and water. Care is taken not to rub on the forehead or the areas of the incisions within the scalp. Much of the general activity restrictions and return to work instructions are similar to having had a facelift, including avoidance of strenuous activities, exercise, and heavy lifting. Swelling usually subsides in 10-14 days. Most patients return to work 7-10 days following surgery. Dr. Panossian will prescribe pain medications ahead of time, and sometimes antibiotics. You may use makeup to conceal any bruising, if it persists. The incisions themselves may sometimes be numb or sensitive for several weeks.
Risks and Complications
What are the risks and complications of a brow lift?
In men, the eyebrow typically sits at the level of the lowest part of the forehead bone above the eyes. In women, the eyebrow tends to curve upwards slightly above this bone. One of the complications of a brow lift is related to overcorrection, giving an unusual surprised appearance to a woman or a feminizing appearance to a man. An experienced plastic surgeon recognizes this possibility and will pay special attention to positioning the brow at the time of surgery.
Additional risks include the possibility of blood accumulating underneath the skin (hematoma), infection, widened scar, nerve injury to muscles that move the eyebrows and wrinkle the forehead, and mild hair loss along the incisions.
All of these complications are infrequent and can be further minimized by paying close attention to Dr. Panossian’s pre- and postoperative instructions.
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Why choose Dr Panossian
- He received his medical education at Tufts University School of Medicine.
- Graduated at the top of his class at UCLA, receiving Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude honors.
- Was accepted into an elite combined general surgery and plastic surgery residency at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
- Completed subspecialty training in craniofacial surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and Harvard Medical School.
- Was mentored by Dr. Ron Zuker in the practice of facial paralysis reconstruction. This prestigious fellowship position was available to only one surgeon in the United States.
- Is affiliated with various charitable and educational organizations, including Operation Smile and Mending Kids.
- Is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the highly selective American Association of Plastic Surgeons, reserved for only a select group of individuals nationally who have demonstrated excellence in academic plastic surgery.
- Holds memberships in several other professional societies including the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery.
- He serves on the Board of Directors for Mending Kids and the Gondobay Manga Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of lives in Sierra Leone.
- Has been nominated by his peers annually since 2012 as a “Super Doctor.”
- Served as an expert medical consultant and appeared on The Doctors, Grey’s Anatomy, and Nip/Tuck.
- Has been featured as “Top Doctor” in US News and World Report, Pasadena Magazine, and Los Angeles Magazine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brow Lift
If you live near Pasadena, CA, Dr. Panossian offers brow lift among its services, and is conveniently located at 39 Congress St., Suite 402 Pasadena, CA 91105
Last modified by Dr. Andre Panossian
