Forehead Lift

With age the skin of the forehead, the temples and the area around the brow loses its elasticity. A dropped brow, horizontal lines and the vertical frown lines between the brows are the earliest signs of ageing. They give a tired, angry or sad expression.

A forehead lift is the operation that raises the brows and rejuvenates the forehead.

What it does

The operation raises the brows and treats the wrinkles that ageing brings. It can be combined with other facial operations, to give a more balanced result.

Brow lifting is done by several methods. The main difference between them is where the cut is placed. The traditional open approach is one of them.

Before the operation

At the examination, your doctor can suggest alternative treatments and additional surgical methods for your face, based on what the examination shows.

Once surgery is decided, you are asked detailed questions about your general health and laboratory tests are requested.

Stop aspirin, ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, ginkgo biloba and vitamin E before the operation. Continue the medicines you take regularly if the surgeon approves them.

The operation

A forehead lift is done under local anaesthesia, with or without sedation, or under general anaesthesia. You usually go home the same day. Depending on the technique the operation takes one to two hours.

In the classic approach the surgeon uses a cut behind the natural hairline and parallel to it. Another option is a cut directly in front of the hairline, which is called pre-trichial.

In the endoscopic approach the surgeon places the endoscope under the skin, so that the tissue and the muscles beneath are clearly shown. Surgical instruments go through another cut, to lift the skin of the forehead and to weaken the muscles. The forehead skin is held in its raised position with temporary stitches, and it heals in that position.

After the operation

A dressing is applied to the face and the head, so that the tissue stays where it should while it heals and so that swelling is reduced. The day after the operation this dressing is replaced with an elastic bandage, which you wear for a few days. You then wear it at night for another week.

Swelling at and around the cut is expected at first. It usually goes down after the first ten days. Cold compresses for a few days after the operation, and keeping the head raised, both help.

Contact your doctor urgently if you see redness that does not look normal, pus, or pain.

Clips and stitches are removed after 5 to 7 days. Most patients feel well enough to return to normal activity at around ten days. Avoid tiring activity for about three weeks.