What is a Brow Lift?
The cosmetic surgical procedure known as a brow lift is preformed under general anesthesia and addresses aging, excess skin and laxity in muscles and connective tissues in the upper face region that is comprised of your forehead and eyebrows. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in 2014, over 40,000 patients in the United States had a brow lift done.By using a simple principle to combat the potential unnatural results that some cosmetic surgeons provide, Dr. Hobar’s approach to a brow lift is bidirectional. As he states, “The key to achieving a natural, long-lasting result with a brow lift is to address tissue migration in two directions. It is a mistake to only raise and support the tissue vertically, this is oftentimes the technique used when you see people with a perpetual surprised or wide-eyed appearance. The additional support must also extend to an acute, outward angle, bisecting the temple region. When the same amount of support is provided in this bidirectional nature, the result is incredibly natural. The patient benefits from a more rested, alert and pleasant expression. In addition, aging along the sides of the eyes commonly referred to as “crow’s feet” can be subtly softened.”
A brow lift can also combat the appearance of horizontal and vertical lines in the forehead that have developed over years of living and communicating. In line with his approach that cosmetic surgery should be highly individualized and produce a natural result, Dr. Hobar comments, “I really like to respect my patient’s comfort level with their expression lines. Many people are understandably proud to have them and do not want their appearance eliminated, but merely softened. Contrastingly, I have men and women who are ready to quit coming into the office for Botox several times a year and want those lines erased.” This is yet another example of Dr. Hobar’s highly individualized approach to cosmetic surgery.
A brow lift is often done in combination with other surgeries, such as an upper eyelid surgery or a mid face lift and face lift. When done in conjunction with a mid face lift and lower face lift, this constitutes complete facial rejuvenation. A brow lift is often done in combination with other surgeries, such as an upper eyelid surgery or a mid face lift and face lift. When done in conjunction with a mid face lift and lower face lift, this constitutes complete facial rejuvenation.
Am I a good candidate?
Most importantly, it is essential that you be in good physical health. A brow lift is very safe and effective when the patient is in sound physical condition. It is important to disclose all of your current and past health conditions as well as any prescribed or over the counter medications or supplements you take. After a careful review of this information, Dr. Hobar might suggest certain preoperative tests to ensure that you are a good surgical candidate.Psychological health is also an essential component. Undergoing surgery can be a stressful experience. You might need to alter certain commitments and delegate responsibility to others during the initial days of your recovery experience. It is also critical to understand that while a brow lift will improve the appearance of lines in the forehead and address aging and laxity in the brow region; it is not able to solve other underlying insecurities and issues. Most people experience a myriad of emotions in the immediate periods before and after surgery. While this can be challenging, it is also normal. Being realistic about your goals and expectations is essential to achieving a positive outcome.
A brow lift is a wonderful option for people who experience aging in the brow region that is out of balance with their other facial areas. Many times, it can really highlight the eyes and reduce the amount of tissue correction needed in upper eyelid surgery or eliminate the need for upper eyelid surgery altogether. As with all facial cosmetic procedures, it is especially important that Dr. Hobar carefully assess your complete face, focusing closely on your brow and eyes and understand your goals and concerns before recommending a brow lift. This process will ensure that your result will enhance your appearance and flatter your face by creating a youthful, harmonious balanced change.
How is the procedure performed?
Dr. Hobar shaves a tiny strip of hair and your incisions are cut accordingly, hidden well behind the hairline. He then very precisely tightens the underlying muscles and connective tissues. Due to the highly individualized nature of this procedure, there are varying degrees of muscle interruption that can be accomplished to create an effect similar to “permanent Botox”. After addressing the supportive underlying tissues, and excess skin is removed and the incisions are closed.
Three small incisions are made, one at the top of the forehead at the hairline, and two in the temporal region within the hair. With this technique, the supporting structures can be tightened and the frown muscles can be softened. No skin is removed, but simply repositioned with the underlying muscles. This procedure is often optimal for younger patients who don’t have considerable skin excess.
This techniques combines much of the best from both the open browlift and the endoscopic browlift. In this procedure, Dr. Hobar will make the incisions in the hair bearing temporal region somewhat larger to allow skin resection and tightening laterally where it is most beneficial. This leaves the scar completely covered by hair and preserves the sensation that is at least temporarily lost with a complete open brow incision. According to Dr. Hobar, “many patients will benefit from lateral superior tightening to really rejuvenate the area around the eyes and get rid of the hooding of the lateral upper eyelids. Many of these women (and men for that matter) don’t benefit from skin tightening in the central region. Excess tightening in the central region can lead to that unnatural “surprised’ look.”Depending on whether the brow lift is done with an endoscope or a full coronal incision, the procedure is usually scheduled for roughly one and a half to three hours which enables Dr. Hobar to work in a focused, precise and unhurried manner. You are put to sleep under general anesthesia by a well trained anesthetist (CRNA) or anesthesiologist. General anesthesia ensures a very well controlled, safe surgical experience. After surgery, you are taken to a recovery room where you are closely monitored as you awaken from anesthesia.
Recovery
Why Choose Dr. Hobar?
Similar to eyelid surgery, a brow lift is a procedure that can easily be done suboptimally, leaving a patient with quite a different appearance and limited corrective options. By choosing Dr. Hobar to perform your brow lift surgery, you are assured a long-lasting, natural result while maintaining vital traits, such as your eye shape, that are critical to your appearance as a unique individual. In addition, his bidirectional approach to providing support to the underlying structures of the face also enhances the side of the eyes and upper eye area.Many patients have grave doubts about pursuing a brow lift because they want to maintain the position and shape of their eyebrows. After years of disciplined grooming or beneficial genes, they have eyebrows that attractively frame their eyes and the possibility of diminishing this trait makes surgery unappealing. According to Dr. Hobar, “Since the underlying muscles and connective tissues of the brow are being tightened and resupported in a bidirectional manner, I am able to leave the position and shape of the eyebrow unaffected. Likewise, the ability to engage the muscles to expressively raise the brow adds to a person’s personality expression and should never be inhibited unless they feel otherwise.”
