What is a browlift
With aging and sun damage, the forehead skin loses its elasticity and the brows descend. This results in horizontal forehead lines, lower brow positions, and horizontal and vertical frown lines. This combination can give us a “tired” look and can also exacerbate upper eyelid heaviness. The changes can also give one a prematurely aged look. In a properly performed browlift, these changes are improved. The aim is to improve the horizontal forehead wrinkles, the frown lines between the brows and to elevate the brows and change the shape of the brows into a more pleasing arch.
"Well, the last time I had a picture taken I could hardly see my eyes because of the weight of heavy eyelid. Then I paid attention to how I was actually using my eyes and I really noticed when I was looking at anything especially the computer I was straining my forehead to see better. Since I have had it done I no longer have to lift the forehead and tilt my head to see. It is amazing! I love..." D. Rock 63 Yrs Old with Fat Droopy Eyes - Salt Lake City, UT
Browlifts and blepharoplasty combined with cheek lifts, fat grafts and laser of the skin gives beautiful long-lasting results
Am I a Candidate for a browlift?
Not everyone needs or benefits from a browlift. Those that have a significant degree of horizontal forehead furrows, together with brow descent and frown lines are helped the most. In ladies, changing the shape of the brow can lead to a very elegant and refined appearance. In most patients, it is possible to show you the type of result one would be aiming for. Of course, this is not an exact science, but more of an art form. A browlift is rarely performed by itself. Upper and lower blepharoplasty and other procedures are often undertaken at the same time. To the right is a patient who underwent a browlift with upper and lower blepharoplasty with a “Hammock Lift” which gave her a very pleasing overall improvement without undergoing a facelift.
How will I be Assessed?
The aging process is best studied with sketches which will show the lines, grooves and shadows that are seen in the aging face
We will review your photographs from younger days or from when you felt your brows and your eyelids looked good. A physical examination of the anatomic landmarks, your hairline, the height of the forehead, the degree of corrugation of the skin, the brow position, any loss of brow fat pad, secondary dermatochalasis and the relative positions of the brow tail and the brow head are all assessed to determine how much of an improvement may be achieved. Any prior history of trauma or Bell’s palsy is taken into consideration, as is any prior surgery to the brows, eyelids or face. A quick sketch often demonstrates the lines and features that cameras pick up and people notice better than photographs taken with a flash.
How is a browlift performed?
Browlifts are really brow-reshaping procedures and designed to suit the face. They are combined with appropriate weakening of the frown muscles and upper blepharoplasty, sometimes with fat grafts to return the brow fullness back and lasers to decrease the dark circles around eyes.
There are different types of browlifts performed: they include a coronal brow lift (which is only rarely performed these days), a pre-trichial brow lift if the forehead is high, a mid-forehead brow lift (of a type designed and published by Dr. Patel), a direct brow lift (which is also only rarely performed because of the scars), and an endoscopic brow lift, which we helped to develop. Dr. Patel has published extensively on advances in how to perform effective endoscopic brow lifts and on newer techniques of fixation that he has designed.
Endoscopic brow lifts are performed via small incisions placed behind the hairline and with a dissection to free the forehead tissues, allowing us to weaken the frown muscles and reposition the brow head, body and tail in such a way as to give a pleasing height and curve to the brows whilst improving the frown lines and depressions. Fixation of the scalp is achieved to the cranium (bone), often using two deep screws (non-magnetic, so no alarms are set off!) and sutures in the temples.
What other Procedures May be Performed with a Brow Lift?
Browlifts may be combined with upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid blepharoplasty, face and necklift, laser around the mouth and fat grafts. Combining techniques gives an overall beautiful result
It is common to perform a brow lift together with an upper blepharoplasty as it allows us to achieve a defined and balanced appearance. Other procedures often performed at the same time are lower blepharoplasty, cheek lifts, fat grafts and face and neck lifts. When patients wish to obtain an overall facial rejuvenation, it is best to divide the procedures into two: first the brows, upper and lower eyelids and cheeks are addressed: this is a technique called the “Hammock Lift” designed and perfected by Dr. Patel and presented at numerous meetings all over the world and published in medical journals. Some months later, the lower face and neck are addressed, together with fat grafts and laser. This allows a completely rejuvenated face.
What kind of results can I expect after a Brow Lift?
Browlifts combined with upper and lower blepharoplasty, fat grafts and lasers gives a youthful face with a bright animated look
Forehead wrinkles can give one a tired or aged look. Frown lines can make us look firm, or worse, angry. And low brows, especially in ladies, can give one a less than elegant look. To that end, well-planned brow lifts will yield an improvement on all these fronts. It is never the aim to raise the brows too high: more, it is a matter of shaping them properly. We have many before-and-after photographs to illustrate the types of results one hopes to achieve, depending upon your age, face-type, sex and race.
How long will my browlift last?
As with many cosmetic procedures, properly performed procedures will leave you looking more youthful, without looking operated. Essentially, your aging is “set back” by a certain number of years. Of course, you will continue to age and forehead and frown lines may appear and a gradual descent of your brows will occur.
However, with the use of maintenance out-patient minimally invasive techniques of maintenance (botox, fillers, lasers and peels), where indicated, we generally find that unlike the “old days”, we rarely have to repeat a brow lift. Here is a patient who is 8 years after her brow lifts and upper blepharoplasty.
"I had a excellent eye lift done by Dr. Patel. He knows what he is doing and is very pleasant. Dr.Patel was easy to get an appointment and he works with you. The office staff was very pleasant and made you feel calm." D. Gull Highly recommended for eye lift surgery - Salt Lake City, UT