Forehead Lift
Minimises forehead creases, drooping eyebrows, hooding over the eyes, a furrowed forehead and frown lines.
Procedure
A forehead lift, also called a brow lift, is a procedure that removes excess tissue, alters muscles and tightens the forehead skin. This procedure may be performed using the traditional technique, with an incision across the top of the head just behind the hairline, or with the use of an endoscope, which requires three to five short incisions, but allows access to the relevant areas to be treated incorporating a camera and a monitor to visualise the dissected areas.
Length
One to two hours.
Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia or intravenous sedation and local anaesthesia are options.
Inpatient/Outpatient
This is most often an outpatient procedure.
Possible Side Effects
When an endoscope is used the patient may experience temporary swelling, numbness, headaches and bruising. When the traditional method is used there is the possibility of itching and hair loss.
Risks
Injury to facial nerves causing loss of motion, muscle weakness, or an asymmetrical look, persistent areas of numbness and broad and occasionally excessive scarring
Recovery
The patient usually returns to work in seven to ten days and even sooner with an endoscopic forehead lift. The patient must limit more strenuous activities for several weeks. Full recovery from bruising takes from two to three weeks. One should limit sun exposure for several months to avoid hyper-pigmentation of the forehead which can occur as a result of sunlight exposure during the first three to six months after the procedure has been performed.
Results
The results from this procedure usually last five to ten years.