Several choices need to be made about the type of browlift to be done. In patients with good skin elasticity, an endoscopic browlift can often be performed. This operation makes three to five small incisions in the hairline, then releases and pulls the brows up. The scars are very small and hidden in the hair and your hairline shifts minimally. Frown lines and wrinkles of the forehead and brows can also be treated through the endoscopic approach.

       When skin needs to be cut away, there are three standard approaches: a temporal browlift with two small hairline incisions; an anterior hairline browlift with one longer hairline incision; and a coronal incision over the top of the head. The temporal approach can be done in the office while the others are usually done in the hospital.

       No aspirin, ibuprofen, or similar drugs should be taken within two weeks of surgery. These medications can cause serious excess bleeding during, and after, the operation. If you have any questions about drugs you are taking, including over the counter preparations and natural herbs, please call the office.

       As mentioned above, there are several types of browlifts.

       The endoscopic browlift involves three to five small incisions in the hairline through which a small camera and specialized instruments are inserted to lift the brow. Overactive forehead and brow muscles can also be removed through this approach to reduce wrinkles. Once the skin is closed there may be a small bump over the incision area which dissipates over one to two months.

       The temporal browlift involves two diamond shape excisions placed carefully at the hairline on either side of the forehead. The skin between the excision and the brow is carefully lifted and the extra skin is cut away. Drains are usually placed to prevent fluid collections and the skin is closed. Advantages of this approach are the well-hidden scars and minimal numbness of the forehead and scalp.

       The anterior hairline browlift involves an incision placed along the entire hairline of the forehead. The skin of the forehead is raised in a fashion similar to a facelift and the extra skin is removed. In most cases a drain is placed to prevent collections of fluid. An advantage of this approach is that the hairline is not raised or lowered significantly. A disadvantage of this approach is a potentially noticeable scar depending on how you wear your hair and how your body tends to scar.

       A coronal browlift involves an incision across the top of the head in the hair-bearing scalp. The skin from the incision forward to the brows is lifted and pulled backward. The extra skin is cut away and the wound is closed, sometimes with a drain. The advantage of this approach is a sturdy and significant elevation of the brows. A disadvantage of this approach is possible raising of the hairline; therefore, it is best performed on people with low preoperative hairlines. Numbness of the scalp and a potentially noticeable scar if hair follicles are lost during the operation, are other possible disadvantages to this approach.

       In most cases, the browlift is performed in conjunction with other surgery and a one night hospitalization will be required. Temporal lifts can be done in the office and you can go home several hours after the surgery.