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Eye Glossary - Browlift

Browlift (or Forehead Lift)

Sun, wind, and gravity affect the skin and muscles of the face over time. One of the most noticeable aspects of aging is a progressive drooping of the eyebrows. This can cause wrinkling of the forehead from raising one's eyebrows, as well as vertical wrinkles or furrows between the eyebrows. Sometimes the eyebrows or excess eyelid tissue can obstruct vision.

A browlift or forehead lift elevates the brow and smooths forehead skin, and can remove vertical lines between the eyebrows. Incisions are made in inconspicuous places, either behind the hairline, in one of the forehead wrinkles, or immediately above the eyebrows. If an endoscope (a small tube with a fiberoptic light) is used, the incisions can be very small. After the muscles are tightened and excess skin is removed, the incision is closed with sutures. The operation is usually an outpatient procedure that can take several hours.

Swelling and bruising, common after a browlift or forehead lift, begins to subside in seven to 14 days. Numbness and itching are common during the healing process. Sutures are removed within seven to ten days after surgery. Incisions in the hairline may damage hair follicles and result in some hair loss.