A forehead lift can help return a more youthful appearance to the face by tightening, removing, and altering the muscles and tissue of the brow in order to lessen folds and wrinkles.  For the most part, forehead lifts are performed in patients over the age of 40, and are often used in conjunction with other procedures such as blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) or a midface lift in order to achieve a more complete facial rejuvenation.

How It's Done

A forehead lift is usually performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia with a sedative.  Before beginning the surgery, the hair at the front of the head will be pinned back, and hair along the incision line will be trimmed.  The incision usually is made from the top of one ear to the top of the scalp, a few inches behind the hairline, and down to the top of the other ear.  For special cases in which the hairline is high or the patient is balding or has thin hair, the incision may be placed differently so that the scar is more inconspicuous after surgery.

Working from the incision down, the skin is carefully lifted, exposing the muscle and tissue.  From there tissue is removed and muscles are altered as necessary to achieve the desired results, and the incision is closed.  Afterwards the incision area and surrounding hair are washed to prevent infection and a gauze padding and wrap are applied for protection.  The total duration of surgery will last between 1 and 3 hours.

Technology

As opposed to the traditional browlift, some surgeons offer the procedure with the less-invasive endoscopic method.  With this technique, five (sometimes less) inch-long incisions are made at the scalp.  An endoscope, or tiny camera, is inserted through one incision, giving the surgeon a clear view of the inside of the forehead.  Another instrument is inserted and used to lift the skin away from the muscles and tissue.  From there the surgeon will perform the same muscle and tissue sculpting as would happen with a traditional surgery.

The advantages of this type of surgery include less scarring and a shorter recovery period.

Recovery / Post Op Expectations

After surgery, bandages, when used, will be removed within two days and staples and clips are removed within two weeks.  Some patients may experience temporary hair loss, but permanent hair loss as a result of surgery is extremely rare.  Return to work can usually happen in about a week's time with endoscopic patients able to return even earlier.

Complications

Though complications are rare, patients should be aware that there are risks involved no matter how skilled a surgeon they select.  Some of these risks include:

• Hematoma
• Loss of skin
• Nerve damage
• Hair loss
• Infection
• Excessive scaring

Am I A Candidate?

Most patients seeking cosmetic improvement through forehead lift surgery are between the ages of 40 and 60 and complain of sagging eyebrows, deep horizontal creases across the forehead, or frown lines.

Cost

The national average surgeon fee for 2003 was $2,797 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).  The total, however, will range higher with the inclusion of anesthesia and facility fees.