Brow lifts are a cosmetic surgery [procedure where the tissue in the forehead region are lifted to help eliminate wrinkles. A browlift can also help to lift eyebrows, lessening any ‘hooding’ that you might have in the eye area. Browlifts tend to make the patient look younger and more wide-awake fur to the elimination of some sagging and wrinkles. However, the skin’s surface will not be changed so any scars or sun spots you have on your skin will remain after the surgery.

Most brow lifts are done under local anaesthetic, although at some places, you can opt for general anaesthetic. There are two major types of brow lift – the open brow lift and the endoscopic brow lift.

In the open brow lift, an incision will be made along the hairline from ear to ear. If you have a very high forehead, the surgeon may opt to make the incision in the forehead creases. The forehead skin will the be gently separated from the underlying tisses; the forehead muscles will be relaxed or released; the eyebrows get lifted; the wound is the stitched, clipped or glued. Overall, the procedure takes 1-2 hours to complete.

In an endoscopic brow lift, 3-5 small incisions are made in the scalp. Each incision is about 2.5cm long. The surgeon will use an endoscope to view the underlying forehead tissue through each of the incisions. Muscles will be removed or loosened and the eyebrows lifted by using stitches or temporary screws behind the hairline. The incisions are then closed and either stitched, glued or clipped.

A good brow lift can last for up to 10 years.

Of course, there are risks to any surgery. Some of the risks include reactions to the anaestheric, bleeding, nerve damage or blood collecting under the skin. You may also find that as you heal, your eyes or eyebrows may not be symmetrical. The nerves in your face may also get damaged during surgery meaning facial movement is restricted – this is sometimes permanent, and sometimes temporary. Hair will often fall out near the incisions but should grow back over time. Scars should not be visible and will fade over time, although occasionally, thicker scar tissue may develop.

If you aren’t so keen on having surgery, facial exercises help to improve muscle tone and circulation and may help improve the tone and look of your face without the need for surgery.

Click here to view an overview of browlifts