Brow Lift

A brow lift is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that smooths out deep horizontal folds of the forehead and raises descended eyebrows to a more youthful positioning. The procedure can be transformative for patients who have a tired or frustrated appearance due to brow furrowing. It can even help reduce eyelid “hoods”, creating a more open, expressive appearance that highlights the eyes. Surgeons are careful to take into consideration the patients’ natural features, age, and sex to facilitate results that fit well with the rest of their facial aesthetics. The incisions are hidden within the hairline, so patients do not have to fret (worry with the appearance) over visible scars. 

If you are ready to take the next step toward upper face rejuvenation, get in touch with Dr. Sherman in New York City, a well-known and skilled surgeon who has refined his craft over his extensive 40-year career. Dr. Sherman is a leader in his field, winning multiple awards for his teaching achievements in his areas of expertise. 

To experience a more innovative approach to anti-aging solutions, call (212) 535-2300 or fill out his contact form, and a member of his practice will help you find the best time and date for your consultation appointment. 

What is a Brow Lift? 

Brow lifts are the equivalent of a facelift for the upper face; they resolve sagging, or ptosis, in this area. The history of the brow lift goes back about 100 years with Dr. Raymond Passot describing and performing the first techniques in 1919. By utilizing his extensive knowledge of the anatomy of facial skin, he effectively removed the appearance of crow’s feet wrinkles. However, Dr. Passot used primitive excision methods and made circular incisions next to the eyes to uplift the eyebrows and tighten the wrinkled skin. ⁽¹⁾ 

Today, much more advanced, less invasive means can create more refined, natural-looking results. Surgeons today use smaller incisions and modify subcutaneous connective tissues to avoid an over-pulled appearance. By making incisions in the scalp or top of the forehead, surgeons can correct and/or reduce: 

Candidates for a Brow Lift

Dr. Sherman considers patients who are in good overall health and who do not have any significant underlying conditions that need primary attention. Candidates are typically between the ages of 40 and 60 (70), but he will make exceptions for those over 70 who are in good condition with limited issues. He will not perform the procedure on those who already have high-set eyebrows, since the procedure can exaggerate this feature further. 

Personal Consultation

During your consultation with Dr. Sherman at his New York City office, he will assess your facial characteristics and ask you about the aesthetic issues you would like to address. He may ask to see younger photos of you to get an idea of what the upper portions of your face used to look like. During this appointment, he will outline his surgical recommendations and detail the requirements of preparation and aftercare necessary for a beautiful outcome. Though the brow lift can contour a more youthful shape around the eyes and forehead, he may recommend a more specified procedure, like blepharoplasty, which focuses on eliminating upper eyelid “hoods” and excess tissue beneath the eyes. Dr. Sherman will make sure that you feel comfortable in whatever decision you make and answer any remaining questions you may have. 

Brow Lift Procedure Steps and Options 

Dr. Sherman begins all brow lifts by administering local anesthesia and a sedative medication to keep you aware, yet calm and relaxed for the duration of the procedure. Brow Lift procedures take 1 to 2 hours, depending on the technique and the aesthetic issues present. Brow lift procedures can be performed in the following ways: 

Coronal Brow Lift 

This classic form of the procedure, also called a traditional brow lift, offers the most comprehensive changes since Dr. Sherman will make a long incision just behind the hairline. He will modify the subcutaneous tissues, tighten the frontalis muscle, and redrape the skin over the incision. After trimming the excess skin, he will apply sutures to secure all changes.  This procedure aids patients who have a low hairline; conversely, it is not helpful if a patient has a high hairline, since the hairline is elevated.

Endoscopic Brow Lift

For the endoscopic approach, Dr. Sherman will make a few incisions about two centimeters behind the hairline. He will then insert an endoscopic camera to see into the tissues of the forehead without needing to make any larger incisions. He will elevate the tissues from these tiny incisions, preserving better quality blood flow and nerve sensation in the area. Patients can expect to recover faster with this type of brow lift. 

Direct and Midbrow Lift 

This procedure is beneficial for male patients for whom Dr. Sherman cannot hide the incisions within their hairline. He will make staggered incisions directly in the mid-forehead to correct pre-existing deep wrinkles. The scars usually feel quite smooth and heal well. He can perform this procedure under local anesthesia, and it usually takes less than one hour.

A direct brow lift is recommended for men with a receding hairline, and women who want to lift the outer sides of their eyebrows. For this technique, Dr. Sherman will make elliptical incisions above the brows. With a midbrow lift, he will make similar incisions on the side of the forehead adjacent to the brows. ⁽²⁾ 

Temporal Brow Lift 

Temporal brow lifts are sometimes called limited-incision or lateral brow lifts. With two incisions slightly larger than endoscopic incisions (four centimeters) above the hairline, Dr. Sherman can lift the outer edges of the eyebrows. This type is most commonly paired with blepharoplasty since he can complement the results by smoothing out deeper frown lines using upper eyelid lift incisions. 

Browpexy 

A browpexy is one of the most advanced and newest forms of brow lift, allowing patients to attain a more subtle lift. Just like a temporal brow lift, it pairs well with upper eyelid lift procedures. For an internal browpexy, Dr. Sherman will make an incision in the upper eyelid crease to remove a tiny amount of muscle and excess tissue that causes it to elevate. For an external browpexy, he will make an incision over each eyebrow to remove a small portion of muscle and tissue to create similar effects. The hair of the brows can hide this extremely fine scar line. 

Recovery and Results 

Immediately after your procedure, you will be able to go home, but you will experience some discomfort related to swelling, numbness, itchiness, tightness, and bruising. Dr. Sherman will provide you with the medications to ease your recovery and advise you on the safest over-the-counter medications to take. 

In the first 1 to 2 weeks, these initial side effects will reduce significantly or completely go away. Depending on your rate of healing and the technique applied, Dr. Sherman will remove your sutures within 7 to 10 days, and you will be able to resume putting on makeup, washing your hair normally, and using your usual skincare products. You will also be able to return to work, but you should wait at least 3 weeks before heading to the gym again. Dr. Sherman will let you know when you can return to your workout routines at a follow-up appointment. 

In some cases, you might continue to feel itchiness and numbness in your scalp, but it will resolve itself within a few months as the nerves continue to regenerate and heal. You might also find that you have a surprised look for some weeks, but your brows will continue to relax until they reach a more natural shape and positioning. The same applies to asymmetrical brows that will slowly even out over time. 

Brow lifts can sustain results for up to 10 years, providing youthful, refreshed brow elevation and textural improvements for the forehead. Endoscopic lifts, a less invasive form of the procedure, tend to last about 5 years. ⁽³⁾  If you have a large forehead, Dr. Sherman’s intricate techniques can shorten its vertical height while enhancing brow positioning at the same time. After healing completely, you should remember to apply sunscreen of at least SPF 30 to protect your skin from developing future wrinkles and sun damage. 

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures 

Blepharoplasty

A blepharoplasty, especially an upper blepharoplasty, can accentuate the effects of brow lift results. Research finds that surgeons commonly pair it with temporal/lateral brow lifts; about 87% of participants in the study underwent an eyelid lift as well. ⁽⁴⁾ An upper eyelid lift involves a subtle incision in the crease fold of your upper eyelid, giving Dr. Sherman the ability to remove excess folded skin that creates a prominent hood over the eyes. For some people, the procedure is necessary since this tissue can interfere with their field of vision. For a lower eyelid lift, he will tighten subcutaneous tissue through a tiny incision in the lower outline of each eyelid. He will remove excess skin and fat to eliminate permanent eyebags.

Cost of a Brow Lift in New York City 

The cost of the brow lift procedure varies, but Dr. Sherman will give you the total cost estimate after assessing your unique situation. Anesthesia, surgical fees, follow-up appointments, medication, and the extent of the surgery overall all contribute to the final cost. If interested, we invite you to apply for financing assistance with PatientFi payment plans. 

To get started feeling immensely more confident with your facial appearance, call (212) 535-2300 or inquire with our online form today. Dr. Sherman and his staff pride themselves on delivering exceptional, attentive care. 

References

1. de Jongh FW, Sanches EE, Pouwels S, et al. An overview of surgical techniques and non-surgical treatments in lifting the eyebrow including current treatments available. European Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2022;46(1):1-8. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-021-01911-4 
2. Bahmani Kashkouli M, Karimi N, Sianati H, Khademi B. Techniques of Eyebrow Lifting: A Narrative Review. Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research. Published online April 6, 2020. doi:https://doi.org/10.18502/jovr.v15i2.6740 
3. Jones BM, Lo S. The Impact of Endoscopic Brow Lift on Eyebrow Morphology, Aesthetics, and Longevity. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2013;132(2):226e238e. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0b013e3182958b9f 
4. Turin SY, Vaca EE, Cheesborough JE, Sinno S, Mustoe TA. Simplified Lateral Brow Lift under Local Anesthesia for Correction of Lateral Hooding. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2019;7(6):e2098. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000002098