A brow lift also known as a forehead lift or eyebrow lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that can remove excess skin, and excess tissues, along with tightening the skin that can cause your eyebrows to drop.
The natural process of aging can cause the eyebrows to lower and the excess skin on your forehead to increase. It can also occur as a result of sudden weight loss and the depletion of excess fat on the forehead.
Furthermore, having loose forehead skin can cause excess skin on the upper eyelids or for the brows to drop. Along with surgical options, there are also non-surgical options such as anti-aging injectables, which may be recommended to you depending on your unique anatomy.
A forehead lift can be done using a classical surgical approach or through an endoscopic surgical approach. Dr Doyle no longer offers the classical surgical approach as he believes it involves a larger scar, which extends from one ear to the other through the scalp hair. This classical incision can lead to significant numbness of the scalp and bald scars. An endoscopic brow lift procedure contains small incisions on your scalp to mobilise and lift your forehead, upper eyelids, and eyebrows with the assistance of a modern specialised instrument – called an endoscope (a small telescope.)
At the time of surgery, the muscles between the eyebrows can be weakened to minimise skin lines in that area. Likewise, horizontal skin lines in the forehead can be treated in the same way.
Specialist plastic surgeon, Dr Mark Doyle at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery clinic, located on the Gold Coast, Queensland may be able to assist you, with surgery to reduce excess skin and tissues and tighten areas around your forehead using an Endoscopic Browlift technique.
What is an endoscopic brow lift?
Endoscopic Brow Lift, at a glance
Target area: Loose brow, deep frown/forehead creases, excess skin on the upper eyelid skin
Time off work: 1 – 2 weeks
Total recovery: 6 weeks
Scar position: Small scars, hidden (where possible) in the hairline
An endoscopic brow lift is a surgery procedure that can be performed on the upper third of the face, it can include a surgeon removing excess skin and excess tissue around the forehead area. It also involves repositioning the underlying facial muscles and facial tissues in that area. The procedure is done with the help of a specialised instrument called the endoscope; a system of cameras that helps achieve increased visualisation through smaller incisions. It can help to firm the forehead area which may have seen elasticity lost, as a result of the normal process of aging or sudden weight loss. You may be a suitable candidate for the surgery if excess skin in the upper third of your face is affecting your vision or you have loose upper eyelid skin covering your eyes because your eyebrows have lowered.
Am I a Suitable Candidate for Brow Lift Surgery?
You may be a suitable candidate for an endoscopic brow lift if:
- You have realistic expectations about what the surgery can do for you.
- You are in a healthy physical state.
- You have excessive lines on your forehead.
- You have a strong hairline, and you are not balding.
- You are a non-smoker or are willing to quit smoking.
- Your eyebrows are low, and you have loose skin on your upper eyelids.
Dr Doyle will show you multiple pre and post-surgery photos and discuss your surgery expectations, to ensure they are realistic. This consultation can assist with giving you a rough idea of how the results may look; however, it is not 100% accurate, as everyone has a unique anatomy and different factors may vary the outcome. He will also explain to you alternative methods of endoscopic brow lift and help you choose the best surgery plan according to your unique anatomy and conditions.
Book a consultation with Dr Doyle today to find out if you are a suitable candidate for an Endoscopic brow lift.
What are the benefits of endoscopic brow lift?
Benefits of an endoscopic brow lift include:
- It can firm the upper third of your face by tightening the brow area.
- It helps reduce forehead lines.
- Generally scarring following the procedure can be hidden by the hair, as the incisions will be made in the scalp region.
- It may help to reduce frown lines formed as a result of aging or stress.
- It may raise the browline
- It has considerably less recovery time when compared to the classical methods of a brow lift.
To learn more about the brow/forehead lift, please contact our practice today.
Facial Combinations – Brow Lift or Forehead Lift performed on the Gold Coast by Dr Mark Doyle
The endoscopic brow/forehead lift can be combined with other facial cosmetic procedures, including facelift, blepharoplasty or anti-aging injections.
What is the Endoscopic Brow Lift procedure?
An endoscopic brow lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure to raise your brow area by removing excess skin and tissues and tightening underlying muscles and tissues. Dr Doyle uses a viewing instrument called an endoscope to perform a brow lift with minimal incisions when compared to a classical browlift. He generally makes four small incisions on or around your hairline so that scarring following the procedure can be concealed by the hair. The procedure takes about an hour or two to complete but may take longer when done in association with other procedures. Most patients can go home on the day of the surgery.
The following steps outline the various stages of the procedure:
Anesthesia
An endoscopic brow lift is done using general anesthesia.
Making the incisions
Dr Doyle will generally make four small incisions within your scalp. The post-operative scarring as a result of these incisions can generally be hidden by the hair and will fade over time.
Endoscope-guided skin tightening
Through the incision, Dr Doyle will insert the endoscope, and with the help of magnification provided by it will surgically adjust muscles and tissues within and under the skin.
Closing the incision
Following adequate skin and tissue removal, the incisions in the scalp will be sealed using a non-absorbable suture. Two small screws which are screwed into the skull are used to keep the brow in place whilst it heals. These are removed 10 days following the procedure. A bandage will be applied over your forehead to cover the sutures. Non-absorbable sutures are removed 10 days after the procedure.
Post-Operative Recovery
Immediately after the procedure, you may have some mild discomfort, swelling, and bruising around the forehead area. You should not be worried about it, as it is a common occurrence and will be monitored before your discharge. Dr Doyle will prescribe you anti-pain medications and antibiotics for your recovery period.
Recovery following Endoscopic brow lift
The recovery time following an endoscopic brow lift is less in comparison to the classical brow lift technique. Recovery following surgery depends on your health condition and the healing abilities of your body, however, usually, the initial recovery following an endoscopic brow lift takes approximately two weeks. You will be advised to sleep with your head inclined for the first few days following surgery as this helps in early drainage of swelling. Applying cold compresses indirectly to the swelling may help with the relief from pain and swelling.
Generally, you should be able to resume daily activities after 10 – 14 days, when much of the swelling will have subsided. However strenuous activities should be avoided and should be resumed only after consultation with Dr Doyle. Smoking and consuming alcohol should be avoided during the recovery period as they interfere with wound healing. You must avoid scratching the area of the incision on your scalp. Your hair can generally hide the swelling; also, Dr Doyle can prescribe ointments that help fade the scars post-surgery.
Final results following endoscopic brow lift can take up to 6 months after all swelling has subsided. The results following the procedure can be seen into the future, although, they can be altered by various factors like weight gain and aging.
Can I Smoke and have a Brow Lift?
Smoking is known to reduce the production of elastin and collagen, proteins that are crucial for skin elasticity and firmness. It also hastens the process of excess skin. Besides, cigarette smoking can be highly toxic before and after the surgery itself. If you are a smoker, Dr Doyle expects you to quit smoking at least 4 weeks before the procedure and continue to abstain during the recovery period as well for at least 6 weeks. Nicotine present in smoking and vaping can cause blood vessels in your body to shrink, compromising the function of your red blood cells. This lowers the oxygen levels in the blood and consequently, oxygen delivery to various body parts, delaying the wound healing process. It is also associated with numerous complications during the surgery itself.
You should consider quitting smoking if you wish to reduce risks following Brow Lift surgery.
Why Choose Dr Mark Doyle?
Gold Coast Plastic Surgery’s Dr Mark Doyle is an experienced and skilled specialist plastic surgeon, having 30+ years of experience. He puts the patient’s safety as his priority and approaches every case with up-to-date knowledge and innovative techniques. Dr Doyle uses an endoscope that allows the brow lift to be performed with minimal incisions in comparison to a ‘classical’ brow lift.
How much does an endoscopic brow lift cost?
As the procedure is performed according to the specific anatomy of the patient, the cost may differ from individual to individual. The consultation charge, the Surgeon’s charge, an anesthetist charge, the Surgical Assistant charge, and the hospital charges will be included in the final cost. As an endoscopic brow lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure done usually without medical indication you will generally not be eligible for a Medicare rebate. However, if lifting your brow improves your field of vision and eyesight you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate if you are having upper eyelid surgery at the same procedure. Dr Doyle will discuss your eligibility for rebates.
You can get an estimate as to how much you should expect to spend on the procedure by scheduling a consultation with Dr Mark Doyle at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery. Alternatively, you can browse our pricing resources to find out more about the cost of browlift surgery:
Associated Procedures with Endoscopic Brow Lift
A brow lift can be combined with other facial surgeries, such as:
Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery is a cosmetic surgery done to reduce the excess skin on your eyes, the surgery can be on either the upper, lower, or both eyelids and tightens the skin, removing excess fat, excess skin and can even smooth fine lines around the eyes. To see if you are a suitable candidate for a combined blepharoplasty and endoscopic brow lift enquire today.
Facelift
Facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure done to reduce loose and excess skin on the lower face, tighten the cheekbones and the chin to present a firmer jawline. As brow lift surgery involves the upper part of the face, and facelift the lower, the two surgeries can be combined to present a firmer facial surface.
Brow Lift Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a brow lift and blepharoplasty?
A brow lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that may lift lowered eyebrows and reduce lines in the skin between the eyebrows and forehead skin, whereas blepharoplasty surgery is the surgical procedure to reduce excess skin of the upper and lower eyelids or both.
The recommendation of what is more suitable for your face can be determined only through an in-person consultation with a specialist plastic surgeon. You may require combining both surgeries for your.
How long do the results following endoscopic brow lift last?
The results following the surgery can generally be seen for up to 10 years following the surgery. Limiting exposure to sunlight, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps you maintain future results after the surgery.
Am I a suitable candidate for an endoscopic brow lift?
You may be a suitable candidate for an endoscopic brow lift if:
- You have excess facial lines on your forehead
- Loose eyebrows and loose upper eyelid skin
- Excess skin around the upper eyelids
- Compromised peripheral vision due to excess skin
- You prefer firmer skin
What are the risks associated with Endoscopic Browlift?
An endoscopic brow lift is a minimally invasive surgery when compared to the traditional methods of brow lift surgery, but it still does have some risks of its own. You should understand all the potential risks and complications before the surgery. Potential risks of an endoscopic brow lift include:
- Thick scarring.
- Hair loss at the site of incision and elevation of the frontal hairline.
- Altered sensation in your scalp.
- Loss of sensation around the scalp.
By diligently following your pre-operative and post-operative instructions and closely monitoring your recovery, you can help minimise the risks.
Medical References:
- Combining an Endoscopic Brow Lift with Eyelid Surgery or a Facelift – Leo Keegan, MD.
- Endoscopic Brow Lift – AEDIT
Book a Consultation
Book a consultation with Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Mark Doyle on the Gold Coast to find out if an endoscopic brow lift is right for you.
About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plas) – Queensland Plastic Surgeon
Servicing patients in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and New South Wales NSW – Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and more.
Dr Mark Doyle is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over 30 years of experience performing breast, body, face and nose surgery. He has completed all required training and only carries out approved surgical practices. There are NO undertrained doctors or cosmetic doctors acting as surgeons at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery.
