Over time, your face may begin to exhibit signs of age around the brow, the eyes, and the forehead. The results of aging, such as a sagging brow, hooded eyelids, or a wrinkled forehead, can often compromise your self-confidence.
At Veritas Plastic Surgery, we provide brow lift procedures to men and women alike, helping them achieve a more youthful appearance with subtle, natural adjustments to the brow. We welcome you to learn more about getting a brow lift in Walnut Creek, CA.
Brow Lift Explained
Many of our patients find that their brow starts descending over time. This can not only lead to a harsher appearance, but it can also push down the skin surrounding the eyelid, creating a hooded effect.
A brow lift elevates the brow, restoring it to a more prominent position and thus lifting the skin connected to the eyelids. In addition, this procedure pulls the skin tight, which can reduce or even eliminate forehead lines and wrinkles.
Dr. Ting strives to create brow lifts that appear natural. Her goal is not for you to look like you have “had work done” but simply for you to look restored and refreshed.
The Key Benefits
There are a number of reasons why patients choose to get a brow lift. One of the primary reasons is the development of fine lines and wrinkles along the forehead, as well as wrinkles that extend down to the eyes and the bridge of the nose. A brow lift is a good way to smooth over these wrinkles.
Additionally, a brow lift can raise sagging brows and, in the process, eliminate any hooding around the upper eyelids. In general, this lift can also reposition the eyebrows to a more youthful and alert place. For many patients, a brow lift completely rejuvenates their facial appearance.
Is a Brow Lift Right for You?
Before having a brow lift performed, we invite you to meet with Dr. Vivian Ting for a one-on-one consultation. Dr. Ting will ask questions about your medical history and also perform a physical evaluation. Based on these assessments, Dr. Ting will verify that you are qualified for a safe, successful brow lift procedure.
Dr. Ting can also help ensure that a brow lift is the best way for you to achieve your desired cosmetic outcomes. In some cases, she may recommend opting for a different procedure. For example, droopy or hooded eyelids are often caused by a sagging brow, but in some instances, the underlying problem has more to do with the eyelids themselves. In a situation like this, eyelid lift surgery may be the optimal approach.
Brow Lift Technique Options
During your consultation, Dr. Ting will provide more information about the different brow lift techniques that are available and recommend the technique that is right for you.
Coronal
This type of brow lift requires a coronal incision, spanning ear to ear. This allows the surgeon a chance to dissect forehead skin and to make adjustments to the underlying muscle. This is often a good choice for patients who have very heavy brows or who have angry/tired-looking eyes.
Endoscopic
By contrast, an endoscopic brow lift is a little less invasive. The surgeon will make a series of very tiny incisions hidden in the hairline, then insert specialized instruments that can release and elevate the brow tissue. Endoscopic procedures are great for patients who need more modest adjustments and want to minimize their scarring.
Temporal/Lateral
The temporal brow lift, also known as the lateral brow lift, involves a couple of one-inch incisions made just above the forehead, hidden behind the hairline. The underlying tissue is then lifted and repositioned. The temporal brow lift is another less-invasive option that comes with a shortened recovery time and less surgical risk.
Direct
The direct brow lift is a more invasive option and may be necessary for some patients who need deeper, more functional changes. With a direct brow lift, the surgeon will create incisions right above the eyebrows for greater precision as they adjust the underlying muscle and tissue. This can be a good option for patients who need major corrections to address their heavy brow.
Trichophytic
A trichophytic brow lift requires long incisions above the forehead, hidden by the hairline. These incisions create ample room for the surgeon to remove fatty tissue and pull the skin upward, smoothing over wrinkles and fine lines while restoring the brow to a more youthful position. This is an especially good option for patients with higher hairlines.
What is the Cost?
One of the most common questions we hear about brow lifts is how much the procedure costs. The specific cost of a brow lift will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the type of surgery used and the type of anesthesia required. The best way to get an individualized quote is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ting. Also, be aware that our practice offers flexible financing options, making procedures like the brow lift more accessible to our patients.
The General Brow Lift Experience
Your brow lift journey will always begin with a consultation, giving Dr. Ting the opportunity to assess your candidacy and determine which type of brow lift best meets your needs.
From there, the steps in the procedure can vary slightly depending on the type of brow lift decided upon. Each type of brow lift is performed under some level of anesthesia or sedation, ensuring that your experience is comfortable and pain-free. Once the anesthesia has been administered, your surgeon will make incisions where needed. The goal is always for minimal scarring, both by keeping the incisions small and by concealing them behind hair or behind the ears when possible.
Once the incisions are made, excess fat may be removed, underlying muscles can be adjusted, and the skin is pulled tight. This not only helps smooth wrinkles and lines but also lifts the brow as well as the skin hooded around the eyelids.
Your Recovery After a Brow Lift
The recovery time for a brow lift can vary by procedure type. Generally speaking, your surgeon will recommend that you take one to two weeks to rest and recover. It may be a month or more before you are given clearance to resume exercise or strenuous physical activity.
You can expect your head to be taped or wrapped following the procedure, both to reduce swelling and to control bleeding. Dr. Ting will provide guidelines for aftercare and for keeping the incision site clean. Adherence to these guidelines will be important for expediting your recovery and keeping your scars to a minimum.