Brow lift

What is Brow Lift?

Upper third facial compound area (forehead and eyebrows) loses its youthful contour gradually, giving a wrinkled, tired look.

Brow Lift, essentially reconstructs three problems of the upper third facial compound:

• Excess skin and “heavy” upper outer eyelid and lower forehead. Patients, typically describe it as a sense of tired look. This takes place due to gravity, causing              skin drooping over the upper eye socket, having as a result, soft tissues obstructing even more normal sight.
• Wrinkles above and/or below the eyes (radix) caused by powerful muscle contractions around the area.
• Lateral wrinkles of the forehead which are mainly caused by frontalis muscle activity.

Α brow lift, will probably improve “crow’s feet” on the outer surface of the eyelid, without however eliminating it.

In general terms, brow lift, can be performed with 2 methods:

• open brow lift technique
• endoscopically

Open brow lift technique tends to be replaced nowadays by the endoscopic method, mainly due to the disadvantage of the scar, although the results of the first usually stand the test of time. At your first appointment, Dr Karmiris will discuss with you in detail, the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

However, both methods, offer results standing the test of time that if combined with blepharoplasty, gives an even youthful look.

Preoperative check

Preoperative check includes mainly blood tests, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG) and any other specialized tests, depending on the case.

Also, it will be necessary to stop smoking preoperatively, and immediately post-operatively as well as avoid taking aspirin or any other anti-inflammatories, since they increase the risk of bleeding.

The surgical procedure

This procedure is performed under general anaesthetic.

Endoscopic Brow Lift

Endoscopic Brow Lift, can be done as a single surgical procedure or in combination with other aesthetic operations (facelift, blepharoplasty). It can be performed with small incisions (almost 1cm) on the scalp which they go down to the deep fascial layer. This is raised and then fixed at the incision height, giving the browlift range we would like.

Several times, we can excise a small part of frontalis muscle, in case of saggy skin.

Open Brow lift technique

Open brow lift technique, has the same goals as the endoscopic method. In general terms, the results stand the test of time and can be predictable, although the incision length is a major disadvantage. Patients with thinning hair or  bald patients will have a visible incision and usually prefer the endoscopic technique.

The incisions are closed with thin sutures, which will be removed in about 7 days. Drains are not used, unless combined aesthetic operations such as facelift and brow lift have been performed.

Post operatively.

Immediately after the surgical procedure, you will have some thin sutures which will be removed in 7 days. All remaining scalp incisions are the least noticeable they can be. Bruising and swelling are resolved in 7-14 days. For faster recovery you can also use cold compresses.

Patients are discharged the same day. Dr Karmiris will give you particular instructions on how to take care of your wounds immediately post-op, what medication you should take and when you will be seen for a follow up.

Risks and safety information

In general, brow lift is a safe surgical procedure which is performed with great success. However, like any other surgical procedure, browlift has some risks, as well as potential complications that every patient should be aware of and should understand fully, before entering the operating room.

The most important potential complications are the following:

• Bleeding or haematoma
• Bruising
• Wound infection
• Poor healing
• Regional alopecia where the incisions are located within the hairline

• Asymmetry
• Need for revision
• General risks from anaesthesia

Dr Karmiris will explain you, in detail, the whole surgical procedure and will answer any questions related to that.