When you look in the mirror, you may feel that you always look angry or tired. This is due to natural changes that occur as you age. Your skin produces less collagen and elastin, leaving it unable to return to its more youthful position. Your face also loses volume and support tissue. Add in the effects of gravity, and now you can understand why you look different than you did 20 years ago.
A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, is a cosmetic facial surgery that repositions your brows while reducing forehead wrinkles and frown lines between your eyebrows. It can improve the appearance of your forehead, brow line, and the area above your eyes. Overall, you will gain a more youthful appearance.
At Allure Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery, Dr. Percy Lo, our board-certified plastic surgeon, understands how you may not be happy with your upper face and may wish to improve it. Unfortunately, your eyebrows and forehead can be the first area of your face to show signs of aging. Dr. Lo knows how to make a brow lift in St. Petersburg work for you. Every surgery that he performs is personalized to your needs and wishes.
Forehead rejuvenation can lead to multiple improvements. You may notice many benefits, including:
Our St. Petersburg brow lift can be combined with other procedures, such as eyelid surgery or procedures to improve your cheeks or jawline, for a more comprehensive set of facial improvements. Other non-invasive treatments, such as skin resurfacing or injectable fillers to help replace lost fat, may also be added after surgery.
There are different methods of performing a forehead lift. Dr. Percy Lo will carefully assess your face and bone structure during your initial brow lift consultation in St. Petersburg. After you discuss your goals and desired outcome, he will determine which method is right for you.
The classic brow lift, also called a coronal or open brow lift, involves an incision made at your hairline or across the top of your head, almost from ear to ear. Your skin is lifted and released from underlying tissues so that excess skin is pulled upward and removed. This can be the perfect method for many people, but if balding runs in your family or you have thin hair, a different technique may be more appropriate.
An endoscopic brow lift is minimally invasive and requires only small incisions hidden within your hair. A small diameter scope attached to a camera is placed through one incision to provide a way to see what is happening, while an instrument is inserted through a second incision to change your forehead tissues.
Keep in mind that all of our brow lift procedures are routinely performed with anesthesia for your comfort. If the work to be done involves only a small area, you may be able to have the procedure done with only local anesthetic.
You will return home after you have recovered from anesthesia. Plan on having a family member or trusted friend drive you home and stay with you until you feel comfortable being on your own. Bruising or swelling can occur in the areas where changes were made and around incisions. Careful use of an ice pack intermittently during the first 24 to 48 hours after your forehead lift surgery can help limit these problems. Keeping your head elevated will also help. Bruising can be covered by make-up. If you are worried about pain, you can be given a prescription for strong pain relief medications, though you should be able to transition to over-the-counter pain relievers quickly.
While your incisions become waterproof within the first 24 hours, the first phase of healing that will create a strong closure will take about two weeks. You will be instructed when to return to our office for any suture or drain removal. Performing simple, daily tasks is allowed, but you cannot do heavy lifting or other physically demanding activities for at least two weeks after your forehead lift in St. Petersburg.
You will likely be able to return to work after 10 to 14 days, though if you work from home, you may feel up to a partial return to work sooner. If you have a physically demanding job, be sure to discuss recovery plans with Dr. Lo. You may require more time off from work or need to return to work in a less physically demanding position for a few weeks.
The final results from your brow lift surgery in St. Petersburg will take multiple weeks to appear. All traces of excess fluid will slowly disappear, and the incision lines will undergo a series of changes as they become thin lines and tiny spots.
Because you will want to keep your new appearance looking its best, you must be generous with sun protection and follow a healthy lifestyle. No matter how careful you are, your face will continue to age. This means that your brow lift will last for many years, but it will change over time.
A brow lift in St. Petersburg can revitalize your entire face, giving it a lifted, fresher, and more youthful appearance. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Percy Lo today. He will listen to your concerns and help you reach your aesthetic goals through careful surgery and facial care.
