Brow Lift - Forehead Lift
Overview of Brow Lift
Another name for brow lift is forehead lift. While aging affects the entire face, some areas, such as around the eyes, have more obvious aging changes. The eyes appear to be the most affected because they have so much expression and, therefore, patients often come in requesting eyelid cosmetic surgery. Quite often, however, the more significant problem lies within the eyebrows. As we age, the eyebrows descend, especially the outer part or part closer to the temple which falls much more than the part closer to the nose. Look at most older people and you will find this to be true.
Most people do not realize it that the descent of the eyebrow is largely responsible for what we think of as an old-looking face. In the youthful face, especially in women, the eyebrow is located above the bony rim of the eye socket. With aging, the eyebrow falls to the level of the rim and often below the rim becoming almost part of the upper eyelid. Even more dramatic is the fact that the outer eyebrow falls much more than the inner eyebrow giving the typical appearance of aging. You can see this for yourself. Stand in front of a mirror. Take your fingers and elevate the outer part of your eyebrow. Most likely, this will create a more elegant and youthful look. It also tends to help the aging problems of the upper eyelid. This is what a properly performed brow lift will do.
Dr. Cruise has conducted extensive research on the causes of aging of the brow and of the area around the eyes. The effects of aging cannot be completely reversed with a brow lift because there are other components involved, such as changes in both the subcutaneous fat and muscles. But as you can see by simply elevating the outer part of your eyebrow, much can be done to recreate the youthful look.
Animated Temple Lift
Scroll over the image to see the effects of
a temple lift. Notice rejuventaion of outer brow,
outer corner of the eye and crow's feet.
There are many different types of brow lifts. It is important as a plastic surgeon to have expertise in all of them so that the doctor can, without bias, choose the one that is best for you. Dr. Cruise has significant experience with all of the brow lifting techniques. The three types of brow lifts that he has found most effective are the minimal incision brow lift, the endoscopic brow lift, and the brow lift through an upper eyelid incision. There is a fourth type of brow lift called the open brow lift that Dr. Cruise uses occasionally but, usually, only when there is a significant amount of loose skin within the upper forehead.
The minimal incision brow lift is a very effective way to obtain the desired elevation of the lateral brow and crow's feet area with only a small incision within the hairline or just above the hairline.
The endoscopic brow lift is almost the same as the minimal incision brow lift except, of course, with the addition of the endoscope. The endoscope helps visualize the dissection and what needs to be lifted. The incisions are within the scalp.
The third type, brow lift through an upper eyelid, is routinely performed by Dr. Cruise at the same time as an upper blepharoplasty. This is a great way to add a brow lift when you are already having cosmetic surgery on the upper eyelid. Dr. Cruise has developed a unique way to, at the same time, elevate not only the brow but also the fat and muscles. Fat and muscle descent contributes to the appearance of the aging eyebrow just as much, if not more, as lax skin. It must be pointed out, however, that this type of brow lift does not elevate as much as the other two, even though it is an effective way to elevate the brow without having to make another incision.
The fourth and final brow lift is the open technique. This is a very effective way to perform a brow lift, but it involves a very long incision usually within the scalp but occasionally at the hairline. It is useful when there is a significant amount of loose skin within the forehead and the eyebrows have descended a great deal. Dr. Cruise does not use this type of brow lift often as he is usually able to accomplish the desired brow elevation using much smaller incisions.
Often, a brow lift is performed in conjunction with other facial cosmetic procedures such as eyelid surgery and facelift. The reason is that facial aging affects the entire face, not just one part.