Forehead Lift

As we age, our facial skin loosens and wrinkles, causing drooping brows as well as creases and lines that can make us appear angry, sad, old or tired. Anything that will cause the skin to lose elasticity will hasten the process, including sun exposure, weight fluctuations and heredity. A forehead lift can address these problems by surgically altering the muscles and tissues that cause wrinkling and/or drooping in the area above the eyes.

A forehead lift is most commonly used to minimize the appearance of aging in people 40-60 years old. It can also help people of any age who have developed furrows or frown lines due to stress or muscle activity. People with inherited conditions, such as a low, heavy brow or furrowed lines above the nose can also achieve a more alert and refreshed look with this procedure.

To effect a more complete facial rejuvenation, forehead lifts are frequently done in combination with other procedures such as a facelift to firm and tighten skin on the entire face, upper eyelid blepharoplasty to lift and tighten drooping eyelids, or lower eyelid blepharoplasty to remove excess puffiness or wrinkled skin beneath the eyes. Your surgeon may also recommend injections of collagen or Botox for deep creases in your forehead or frown lines between your eyebrows.

If you're considering a forehead lift, the following information will provide you with a good introduction to the procedure. For more detailed information about how this procedure may help you, we recommend that you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in forehead lift procedures.

What are some of the most common benefits of this surgery?
What will happen at the initial consultation?
How is a forehead lift performed?
Will I need to stay in a hospital?
How much pain is there?
What can I expect after surgery?
What is the recovery period like?
What is the long-term outcome like for most people?
Ideal candidate:
Risks and limitations:
Costs:
Questions to ask your doctor:
Be sure to:
How do I finance this procedure?
Find a doctor that specializes in Forehead Lift

	Forehead Lift Photo Gallery
	Forehead Lift Video Gallery

Printer Friendly Pages

Email This To Friend

What are some of the most common benefits of this surgery?

A forehead lift is usually quite successful at restoring a more youthful, refreshed look to the area above the eyes. While this procedure cannot stop the aging process, it can often make a person appear to be a decade younger than their actual age.

Most patients are pleased with the results of a forehead lift, no matter which surgical method was used. Often, patients don't realize how much the wrinkled, loose skin on their forehead contributed to the appearance of aging until they see how much younger and more rested they appear after the lift. The eyebrow shape may be improved, horizontal lines are much improved, and even vertical lines may be eliminated.

For a better understanding of how a forehead lift might change your appearance, look into a mirror and place the palms of your hands at the outer edges of your eyes, above your eyebrows. Gently draw the skin up to raise the brow and the forehead area. Now smile. What you see is close to what a forehead lift would do for you.

It is important that you realize that the texture of the skin will not be changed by a forehead lift. Acne scars, age spots, fine lines and smoker�s creases will soon return to their original texture, no matter how tight the skin is pulled. However, skin treatments such as laser resurfacing or chemical resurfacing can improve the texture of the skin, and these procedures are frequently used in combination with a forehead lift.

Go to TOP

What will happen at the initial consultation?

During the consultation, you and your surgeon will discuss the changes that you would like to make in your appearance. He/she will explain the different options available to you, the procedure itself, and its risks and limitations. He/she will also explain the kind of anesthesia required, surgical facility, and costs.

Your surgeon will begin with a complete medical history and examine your face, including the skin and underlying bone. He/she may also take photos, and give you specific instructions preparing for surgery, including guidelines for eating and drinking, smoking and taking or avoiding vitamins, supplements and medications.

Be sure to tell the surgeon if you have had previous facial surgery, if you smoke, or if you take any drugs or medications, including aspirin, and if you have a tendency to form large scars or keloids.

Take this opportunity to ask all the questions you have about the surgery, and ask to see photos of the doctor�s recent patients, before and after surgery. Also ask for, and follow up on, patient references. Learning everything you can about your options, risks and benefits is the key to making an informed decision. See Questions to ask your doctor below.

Go to TOP

How is a forehead lift performed?

Your surgeon may use the conventional surgical method, in which the incision is hidden just behind the hairline, or he/she may use a newer method which employs an endoscope, (a camera-like narrow tube with a bright light on one end) to achieve the desired results with minimal incisions. Before surgery, your hair will parted to reveal the incision line. Hair in front of the incision(s) may be trimmed.

Method #1: Conventional forehead lift (also called a coronal browlift):

First, the surgeon makes an incision behind the hairline, from ear to ear. For men with a receding hairline, or women with thinning hair, the incision may be placed at the hairline instead, in order to avoid adding more height to the forehead. Next, the skin of the forehead is lifted away from the underlying muscles. The excess skin is trimmed away, and the incision is closed with sutures (stitches), clips or staples. Finally, the surgeon may cover the incision with gauze padding and wrap the head in an elastic bandage. If bandages are used, they can usually be removed a day or two after surgery.

Method #2: Endoscopic forehead lift:

This procedure is often preferred for younger patients who are just beginning to have brow problems. In this procedure, an endoscope is placed under the skin in order to get a clear view of the muscles and tissues under the skin. Then the surgeon inserts another instrument through a separate incision to lift the forehead skin and remove or alter the muscles and underlying tissues. The forehead skin is tacked up in a higher position with temporary screws. The skin will heal in this position and remain there even after the screws are removed.

Go to TOP

Will I need to stay in a hospital?

A forehead lift can be done in the hospital or in an office surgical suite, depending on your preferences as well as your surgeon�s. Most forehead lifts are performed under local anesthesia (like that used by dentists) combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. You'll be awake but relaxed, and although you may feel some tugging and mild discomfort, you won�t feel any pain. Some surgeons prefer to use general anesthesia, in which case you'll sleep through the entire operation. The longer the procedure is expected to take, the more likely that general anesthesia will be recommended.

You may be allowed to return home within a few hours of the surgery, and spend the night in the comfort of your own home, or it may be necessary to spend the night in the hospital so your recovery process can be monitored by a medical staff.

Go to TOP

How much pain is there?

The amount of pain experienced varies from person to person, and depends on the method used. In general, more extensive procedures can give better correction of the aging changes in the face, but at the cost of greater operating time, more risk, longer swelling, slower recovery, and greater cost.

You should discuss your goals, budget, and pain tolerance with your surgeon in order to help him/her determine the procedure, or combination of procedures, that will produce the best results for you.

Go to TOP

What can I expect after surgery?

The post-operative experiences for classic forehead lifts are usually quite different from those that are performed endoscopically.

In either case, you should keep your head elevated for 2 to 3 days after surgery to reduce swelling. You will be able to shower and shampoo your hair within two days, or as soon as the bandage is removed. You will probably be able to return to (sedentary) work within 7 to 10 days, sooner if you�ve opted for the endoscopic forehead lift.

Method #1: Conventional forehead lift:

After this procedure, you may experience some numbness and discomfort around the incision, which can be controlled with prescription medication. If you are prone to headaches, you may be given an additional local anesthetic during surgery as a preventive measure. Swelling may extend to the cheeks and eyes, although this should resolve within 10 to 14 days. As the nerves begin to heal, the numbness may be replaced by itching.

Method #2: Endoscopic forehead lift:

After this procedure, you may experience some numbness, incision discomfort and mild swelling. Incision site pain is usually minimal, but can be controlled with medication, if necessary. Endoscopic forehead lift patients usually experience less of the pain and itching sensations experienced by those who have the classic forehead lift. The stitches or staples used to close the incisions are usually removed within a week, and the temporary fixation screws are removed within two weeks.

Go to TOP

What is the recovery period like?

You may feel a bit tired at first, but your energy level will probably return to normal within a week. Most of the visible signs of surgery should fade completely within about three weeks. Minor swelling and bruising can be concealed with special camouflage makeup. For at least 2-3 weeks you should limit strenuous activities such as jogging, bending, heavy housework, sex, or any activity that increases your blood pressure. Prolonged exposure to heat or sun should be limited for several months.

Some hair around the incision may fall out, and hair regrowth may be thinner for several months. Permanent hair loss is rare. Your surgeon will schedule a series of follow-up exams after your surgery. If you have a conventional forehead lift, the numbness on the top of your scalp may be replaced by itching as the nerves heal. These sensations may take as long as six months to fully disappear.

Go to TOP

What is the long-term outcome like for most people?

Most people are pleased with the results of a forehead lift, no matter which surgical method was used. Many people only have one lift in a lifetime, while others have a second surgery 7 - 15 years later.

The results of a forehead lift are different for every individual. Remember that a forehead lift cannot stop the aging process, but your forehead will always be smoother and firmer than it would be if you hadn�t had this procedure.

Go to TOP

Ideal candidate:

In general, the best candidates for forehead lift are:

People with good facial skin elasticity
In good physical health
Psychologically stable
Non-smokers, or able to stop before and during the healing process
Wanting to improve the appearance of furrows or frown lines on the forehead
Well informed in regard to the procedure�s outcome
Having realistic expectations

Note: Patients who are bald, who have a receding hairline, or who have had previous upper-eyelid surgery, may still be good candidates for forehead lift. The surgeon will simply alter the incision location or perform a more conservative operation.

The above is only a partial list of the criteria that your surgeon will consider in determining whether or not this procedure is appropriate for you. Be sure to ask your surgeon if he/she considers you an ideal candidate for a forehead lift.

Go to TOP

Risks and limitations:

Bleeding from the cut tissues, leading to bruising and possible accumulations of blood under the skin, is unavoidable in any surgery. It is a tribute to the great skill of today's surgeons that these problems are rare. Complications are usually minor when a forehead lift is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon.

In rare cases, the nerves that control eyebrow movement may be injured, resulting in a loss of ability to raise the eyebrows or wrinkle the forehead. Additional surgery may correct the problem.
A broad scar may form after surgery. Additional surgery may correct the problem.
Some people experience hair loss along the edges of a scar.
Loss of feeling commonly occurs along or just beyond the incision line. This is usually temporary, but may become permanent.
Infection and bleeding are rare possibilities.
If a complication should occur during an endoscopic forehead lift, your surgeon may have to use the conventional, open procedure, which will result in a more extensive scar and a longer recovery period. Such complications estimated at less than 1 percent of all endoscopy procedures.

You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following your surgeon's instructions both before and after surgery.

Keep in mind that a forehead lift may improve but not eliminate the wrinkles and lines on your face. Your surgeon may recommend chemical or laser resurfacing to help smooth small wrinkles over your entire face. Your surgeon may also recommend injections of collagen or Botox for deep creases in your forehead or frown lines between your eyebrows. Signs of aging around the eyes, such as excess folds of eyelid skin, pockets of fat below the eyes and fine wrinkling of the eyelid skin can be improved with upper eyelid blepharoplasty or lower eyelid blepharoplasty (eyelid surgeries) which can often be performed at the same time as the forehead lift.

Go to TOP

Costs:

The national average of 2007 surgeon fees for forehead lift was $3,092(Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons). Regional averages: New England states: $3,255 Middle Atlantic states: $2,630 North Central states: $3,148 South Central states: $2,797 and Mountain/Pacific states: $2,846. These fees do not include anesthesia, operating room facility, hospital stay, and other related expenses.

Go to TOP

Questions to ask your doctor:

Are the desired results I described realistic?
Where is the surgery performed? How long will the procedure take?
Would a conventional forehead lift or an endoscopic forehead lift work better for me?
Would another procedure, such as a facelift or a upper eyelid blepharoplasty, give better results for me?
Are there other procedures that I should consider to enhance the affects of this procedure?
What kind of anesthesia is used?
How much does it cost?
What is your experience in performing this procedure? (How long has he/she performed this procedure, and how many he/she has performed in the past year?)
What percentage of patients have had significant complications? (The physician should disclose this information to you.)
Will you repeat or correct procedures if it does not meet agreed upon goals? And if the procedure must be repeated / corrected, will I be charged again? (The physician should provide you with his/her policy on this issue.)
May I see "before and after" photos of recent patients? The physician should provide many photos of recent patients.
May I have the names and contact information for several recent blepharoplasty patients? (Follow up to get first-hand information on the procedure and the surgeon.)
Could I observe the exact procedure I am considering before I decide to have the surgery? (Either on videotape or ask to view one in real life.)
What should I expect post-operatively, in terms of soreness, what to watch for, medication, bathing, and level of activity?
Who will be assisting during the surgery? What are their qualifications? (Does the plastic surgeon perform the entire surgery?)
Have you ever had your malpractice insurance coverage denied, revoked, suspended?
Do you offer patient financing?

Go to TOP

Be sure to:

Tell your doctor about any allergies you have (to foods, drugs, environmental elements)
Tell your doctor if you have any serious medical condition(s).
Tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription)
Carefully follow any instructions your surgeon gives you regarding eating and drinking, smoking, and vitamins.
Avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing medicines for two weeks prior to surgery.
Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery.

The information on this web site is only intended as an introduction to this procedure and should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of the result. The best method of determining your options is to consult qualified surgeons who are able to answer specific questions related to your situation.

Go to TOP

How do I finance this procedure?

Did you know that 29% of all Americans have considered having an elective procedure? Of those, 60% would schedule a procedure immediately if financing was available. With iEnchance's patient financing options, money no longer has to be the barrier between you and your new image. By filling out our on-line application you can qualify for a loan in as little as 30 seconds.

Go to TOP

Find a plastic surgeon, cosmetic surgeon, dermatologist,
vision specialist, cosmetic dentist or other specialist.

At iEnhance, find information on top plastic surgery procedures such as breast augmentation, liposuction, facelift, tummy tuck, BOTOX � Cosmetic, eyelid surgery, thermage, rhinoplasty; as well as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and other cosmetic dentistry procedures. Locate a plastic surgeon, cosmetic surgeon, cosmetic dentist, or specialist today!


	Announcements:



	Articles:
	How Sexy Should I Go?

	Facts:
	Top 5 Surgical Cosmetic Procedures in 2008: 1. Breast Augmentation: 356,000 2. Liposuction: 341,000 3. Blepharoplasty: 195,000 4. Rhinoplasty: 152,000 5. Abdominoplasty: 147,000 Top 5 Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures in 2008: 1. Botox: 2,464,000 2. Laser Hair Removal: 1,281,000 3. Juvederm/Restylane: 1,263,000 4. Chemical Peel: 592,000 5. Laser Skin Resurfacing: 571,000 * Data collected from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)

	Featured Doctors:
	Plastic Surgery
	Plastic Surgery Associates
	Dermatology
	Michael Coverman, M.D.
	Cosmetic Dentistry
	Mark Gadberry, D.D.S
	Vision
	Majid Moshirfar, MD
	Facial Plastic Surgery
	Kristin Tarbet MD -- Seattle Facelift Specialist

	Polls:
	How far are you willing to travel for a top-notch cosmetic surgeon? Within my city�s limits To a neighboring town/county Out of state Out of the country