Brow Forehead

Brow Lifts Come of Age

How might a brow lift change your facial appearance? Preview your potential results with a quick exercise. Place your hands above your brows, on the outside edges of your eyes. Now gently raise your skin upward and look in the mirror If you like what you see, it may be time to think about brow lift surgery.

Today's brow lifts deliver more natural-looking results than ever before. Most people who undergo the procedure love the result and would recommend it to a friend, according to research in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.

Courtesy of AAFPRS

How Does it Work?

The brow lift procedure, also known as forehead lift, repositions low or sagging brows, and irons the creases and wrinkles across your forehead and between your eyebrows (Yes, the furrowed ones that can make you look mad).

During a brow lift, your surgeon lifts the skin and/or forehead muscles, and then removes any extra skin or fat in the brow line. Next, the surgeon lifts the brow skin to its new position. Endoscopic brow lifts are performed through tiny incisions made in the hairline; this as opposed to an incision that spans from one ear to the other over the top of the head. The main advantage of the endoscopic option is the fact that there is no scarring. Note that if your brows and forehead sag excessively, you may not be a candidate for this less-invasive procedure.

There are many other versions of the brow lift that you may consider, including those that are "liquid" such as Botox injections, and other non-surgical options such as those that rely on ultrasound or radiofrequency. Brow lift can be done as a standalone esthetic treatment, part of a full facelift or in conjunction with other procedures such as an eyelid lift.

Traditional brow lifts are surgeries, meaning your recovery will involve swelling, bruising and pain, which can last a week or more. There are also some risks associated with brow lifts, namely scarring, bleeding and infection; and of course, there's always the chance that you won't like how you look.

Cost, too, may be a factor in your treatment decision because brow lifts, like other purely cosmetic procedures, are not covered by insurance. Browlifts can cost about $6,000-$6,500 depending on the location of the practice. Surgeons in big cities charge more than those in smaller, more rural areas — largely because the overhead is higher in urban areas. If you are already paying for Botox every three months to get rid of frown lines, it may be worth it.

Are you just browsing or are you ready to take the next step? Set up a consultation with a surgeon to further evaluate your options and your brow lift candidacy.