Browlift

The classic browlift is performed with an incision from ear to ear, either in front of or behind the hairline depending on the height of the brow. In both cases the scars are invisible later. The great advantage of the classic procedure is that excess, wrinkled skin on the brow can be removed, and sunken eyebrows corrected. Furthermore, the muscles which produce wrinkled brows and frown lines can be either weakened or completely removed, safely and long-term. The procedure enables a more youthful expression on the upper facial third to be achieved. This intervention carries minimal risks: the subcutaneous procedure (close under the skin) spares the nerves. The older, subgaleous (deep layer), procedure, involved severing nerves leading to long-term numbness in the back of the head, frequently associated with itching. The operation is usually performed under general anaesthetic and involves a one-night hospital stay. Treatment as an out-patient under local anaesthetic is less frequent.

An endoscopic browlift has the great advantage of much smaller scars and a faster convalescence period. However, it does have the disadvantage that the excess skin on the brow that causes wrinkles is not cut away, and therefore the success of the operation is shorter lived. Moreover, it isvery rare that the muscles in the brow and frown lines can be weakened as effectively as in an open procedure. This method is therefore most appropriate for the correction of sunken eyebrows in younger patients, who have no excess brow skin or wrinkles. Usually the skin can be loosened through just three small incisions in haired skin of the brow, and the eyebrows raised with threads. The threads are then secured around the side incisions to screws attached to the cranial bones. This procedure usually requires a one-day inpatient stay. It is rarely carried out as an outpatient treatment.

Initial overcorrection is normal. After all methods the skin will slacken in time. Long-term overcorrection should be avoided to prevent a “shocked” facial expression. Droopy eyelids are frequently corrected satisfactorily simply by raising the eyebrows; if they have already been treated, this restricts the amount by which the eyebrows can be lifted. Your surgeon will inform you in full about the exact risks.