General
Information
The effects of aging are inevitable, and, often, the brow and forehead
area show the first signs. The skin begins to lose its elasticity.
Sun, wind, and the pull of gravity all affect the face, resulting
in frown lines, wrinkling across the forehead, and an increasing
heaviness of the eyebrows. Even people in their thirties may have
faces that look older than their years. Your tired, angry, or sad
expression may not reflect how you actually feel. As a result, many
people have opted for a procedure known as the forehead lift. Based
on variations in how men and women age and on new advances in medical
technology, different methods are used to perform this procedure.
If you are wondering how a forehead lift could improve your appearance,
you need to know how these procedures are performed and what you
can expect. This World Wide Web information page, brought to you,
courtesy of Dr. Richard C. Parfitt and the American Academy of Facial
Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery, can address many of your concerns
and provide you the information you need to begin considering forehead
surgery.
Successful facial cosmetic surgery is a result of good rapport between
patient and surgeon. Trust, based on realistic expectations and
exacting medical expertise, develops in the consulting stages before
surgery. Your surgeon can answer specific questions about your specific
needs.
Insurance does
not generally cover surgery that is purely for cosmetic reasons.
Surgery to correct or improve sagging foreheads and brows which
interfere with vision may be reimbursable in whole or in part. It
is the patient's responsibility to check with the insurance carrier
for information on the degree of coverage.
Is
it for You?
As with all elective surgery, good health and realistic expectations
are prerequisites. When a surgeon tightens loose skin and removes
the excess, forehead wrinkling and drooping brows are modified.
The procedure is called a forehead lift or brow lift. If necessary,
the surgeon removes part of the muscle that causes vertical frown
lines between the brows. The result can be a smoother brow and a
more youthful expression. To see what a forehead lift can do for
your face, put your hands above your brows and outside the edges
of your eyes and gently raise the skin upwards. Forehead lifts are
an option if you have a sagging brow or deep furrows between the
eyes. This procedure is usually done between age forty and sixty-five,
although it may be necessary at an earlier age.
Incisions can be placed at the hairline, behind the hairline, or
in some cases, above the brow or in the mid-forehead. Endoscopic
techniques that are available allow the procedure to be performed,
thereby minimizing incisions and reducing visibility of scars. Your
surgeon can help you select the best technique suited to your particular
situation.
Making
the Decision
Whether you are having surgery for functional or cosmetic reasons,
your choice of a qualified facial cosmetic surgeon is of paramount
importance. During the consultation, the surgeon will examine your
facial structure, the condition of your skin, and your hairline
in order to decide where incisions should be -made. A thorough medical
history will be obtained so that your surgeon can consider any medical
conditions that may heighten surgical risks. A detailed description
of the procedure will also include a discussion of risk involved.
After the decision
to proceed with surgery is made, the surgeon will describe the technique
indicated, the type of anesthesia, the surgical facility, any additional
surgery, and the risks and costs.
Procedure
Details
The surgery begins with the placement of the incision. In many cases,
the incision is made slightly behind the natural hairline, running
from ear to ear across the top of the head. However, if the patient
is balding or has a receding hairline, the incision will be made
in the mid-forehead area or at the hairline, along a natural line
to minimize scar visibility. Excess skin and tissue will also be
removed before fine sutures or staples are applied.
In endoscopic
surgery, the surgeon makes a series of small incisions just behind
the hairline and, using the endoscope as a guide, proceeds to remove
those muscles that are the source of frown lines. The eyebrows are
then lifted to reduce the sagging of skin at eyelid level. Depending
on the nature of the incisions and the surgeon's preference, bandages
may be applied along the incisions. The procedure usually lasts
one to two hours.
Recovery
You will experience a certain amount of swelling and bruising in
the 10-day period following surgery. In some patients, this condition
may include the cheek and eye area as well as the forehead. You
will be advised to keep your head elevated in order to reduce swelling.
Cold compresses may further reduce swelling. As the incisions heal,
you may experience some numbness as well as itching, both of which
will diminish with time. The sutures are usually removed within
seven to 10 days following surgery. If bandages have been used,
they are removed in one to three days. It is important to follow
the advice of your surgeon on resuming normal activities. For most
patients, the recovery time will not exceed two weeks, but patients
may still be advised to avoid strenuous activities for longer periods.
Any prolonged bruising can be camouflaged with standard make-up
techniques.
Facial cosmetic
surgery makes it possible to correct many facial flaws and signs
of premature aging that can undermine self-confidence. By changing
how you look, cosmetic surgery can help change how you feel about
yourself.
