If a sagging or heavy brow is causing you to look perpetually tired, angry or unhappy, brow lift cosmetic surgery could provide a lasting solution. As we age, repetitive facial expressions such as squinting, normal animation or frowning cause patients to develop wrinkles and lines on the forehead. As your eyebrows become lower, it impacts the appearance of your upper eyelids.
Why do people avoid cosmetic surgery? Here’s a reference from CBS News* that shows celebs who may have gone too far. While they were a part of the decision process, not all may find their results attractive. A great deal depends on communication and expectations. Here are some suggestions to help you with your decision process.
When you look in the mirror and like the impact of lifting your forehead skin, it may be time to seek a consultation from a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments
Patients often ask whether they can achieve a more youthful look with injectable treatments such as Botox, Dysport or hyaluronic acid fillers. Botox and Dysport are neurotoxins that cause temporary paralysis in the muscles that can raise the brow. While these neurotoxins are in effect, they not only result in a more alert and youthful look, but also help prevent existing brow wrinkles from deepening.
What Is a Brow Lift?
A brow lift is a procedure that lifts your eyebrows to a more youthful position and is more lasting than using neurotoxins.
Benefits of a brow lift include:
- People may see you as being friendlier, as your facial expression no longer projects anger or sadness
- Your upper eyelids will appear brighter, more open and alert
- You will not have to have repeated treatments
The Endoscopic Brow Lift Procedure
San Francisco cosmetic surgeon Dr. Michael Kulick specializes in the endoscopic method for brow lift surgery, which is far less invasive than previous techniques, yet still achieves the desired results.
For an endoscopic brow lift, Dr. Kulick will make two to three very short incisions just behind your hairline. Then, using a specially made camera attached to a tiny telescope, Dr. Kulick will reposition the muscles and lift underlying tissues of the forehead to create a naturally more youthful brow.
Endoscopic Brow Lift vs. Coronal Brow Lift
The biggest advantage of the endoscopic procedure is that it is much less invasive than the previous method for brow lifts, which is called the open coronal approach. In a coronal brow lift, the skin incision is much larger, going from ear to ear, typically behind the patient’s hairline. The technique requires the surgeon to remove a portion of the scalp and hair, and can result in an overcorrected appearance that results in the patient looking permanently startled.
Complications associated with the open coronal brow lift have been scarring, hair loss, a larger forehead and the cutting of nerves, which creates permanent numbness of the scalp. The endoscopic approach has significantly minimized these problems.
The endoscopic technique allows:
- smaller incisions
- minimal scarring
- less chance of nerve damage
- no need to remove scalp or hair
- reduced risk of overcorrection
After an endoscopic brow lift, most patients feel their forehead looks more rested and revitalized. They are more satisfied with their appearance because they no longer look angry, unhappy, sad or tired.
Can We Combine a Brow Lift With Other Facial Procedures?
Many patients opt to have an eyelid surgery called blepharoplasty at the same time as their endoscopic brow lift. The blepharoplasty procedure reduces puffiness around the eyes and removes excess skin from the eyelids, which can help improve the alert and well-rested appearance we can achieve with a brow lift.
Choosing a Cosmetic Surgeon
Achieving attractive, natural-looking results with brow lift procedures requires a cosmetic surgeon with both thorough training in facial anatomy and a good eye for artistic detail. Dr. Kulick is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who has been serving patients in the San Francisco area for more than 20 years. He is a recognized international expert in the field of plastic surgery who takes pride in helping restore patients’ self-esteem. If you are considering a brow lift procedure, contact our office today to schedule a consultation.
*CBS News Article: “Celebrity Plastic Surgery Disasters”. Unknown date.
Dr. Michael Kulick, MD is a leading board certified plastic surgeon in San Francisco, California. During an initial consultation, he’ll examine your individual anatomy, discuss all your options, and create a unique treatment plan along with any other necessary procedures. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of plastic surgery and are looking for a qualified cosmetic surgeon, use this online form to request a consultation with Dr. Kulick or call 415-956-2550.
