Brow Lift

A brow lift can help you look more energetic and refreshed by rejuvenating drooping brows and tightening excess skin in the upper face. The region around the forehead and eyebrows often exhibits clear signs of aging, such as skin laxity (looseness), brow furrows, and frown lines. Brow lift surgery, also referred to as a forehead lift, can tighten and reposition the skin, fat, and musculature of the brow region for a younger-looking appearance. San Antonio plastic surgeon John Ayala, MD can perform a brow lift alone or in combination with other facial plastic surgery procedures, such as a facelift or eyelid surgery.

How is the Brow Lift Procedure Performed?

Dr. Ayala will examine your concerns and develop a treatment plan custom-tailored to refresh your brow and achieve a smoother appearance. This procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. There are generally two ways to perform brow lift surgery: the traditional method and the endoscopic technique. A traditional forehead lift requires an incision ear to ear across the hairline. Through this incision, the brows are elevated to a more youthful positioning and redundant skin is removed. Dr. Ayala then carefully sutures the incision to attain a natural-looking appearance.

Endoscopic Brow Lift

An endoscopic brow lift is a newer approach to forehead surgery that often causes less discomfort, scarring, and recovery time than previous techniques. The procedure is distinguished from a traditional (coronal) brow lift because it uses an endoscope, which is a long, thin tube with a small light at one end attached to a video camera. This tool provides a detailed view of the fat and muscular tissue beneath the skin, allowing Dr. Ayala to precisely lift and reposition the brow through smaller incisions. Rather than an incision made ear to ear, endoscopic surgery only requires three to four small incisions hidden in the scalp to lift the brow and tighten skin laxity. Along with the endoscope, other specialized surgical instruments are used to help Dr. Ayala perform the procedure while avoiding larger incisions or significant scarring. Since there is less tissue disruption, recovery after an endoscopic brow lift is usually shorter than more traditional techniques. Dr. Ayala is among one of the only plastic surgeons in San Antonio who offers the less invasive endoscopic brow lift procedure.

What is Recovery From Brow Lift Surgery Like?

After a brow lift, swelling and mild bruising in the upper face is common and expected. This should gradually fade within a few weeks, but ice compresses can help reduce inflammation in the meantime. Dr. Ayala may suggest eye exercises to help you regain mobility in the area. You may also be prescribed antibiotics for the first few days after surgery. Most patients resume their normal routines within one to two weeks, depending on whether additional procedures were incorporated into your treatment plan.

If desired, you will be able to resume wearing eye makeup two weeks after your procedure.