Brow lift
The eyebrows are one of the most expressive parts of our face. They convey our emotions as much as a smile or a frown; such as the the high-brows of someone who is alert, relaxed and calm, the furrowed brows that display anger, worry and intensity, and the fallen brows of someone who is tired. Women’s brows are typically higher and arched to peak above the outside corner of the eye. Men have lower, flatter brows with much less skin visible beneath the eyebrows.
What causes a brow ptosis or droop? Age, heredity, and gravity all contribute to droopy brows. This is typically most noticeable near the tail of the brow (where the brow tapers to the temple) in an area where the forehead muscle that lifts the brow is weakest. This causes more exaggerated hooding at the outside corner of our eyelids and worsens wrinkles known as crow’s feet.
Who is a good candidate for a brow lift ?
A brow lift is a procedure that rejuvenates the upper face by addressing the heaviness of the brows. If the lateral brow falls and sits lower than the central brow, you may be a good candidate for a brow lift. Also, if the overhang or hooding of the upper lid skin extends beyond the outer corner of your eyes, you may be a good candidate for a brow lift.
What are the treatment options ?
There are many approaches to performing a brow lift. Some require surgery while other approaches are non-surgical. During your consultation, Dr. Maleki will explain the different approaches for a brow lift, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each approach. Finally, he will give you his expert opinion as to which approach best suits your face and your goals. Options include:
- Non surgical: This is most suitable for younger patients and those who have a mild brow droop. Botox and facial fillers such as Restylane can be used to perform a non-surgical brow lift. One large limitation of this type of brow-lift is the need for the procedure to be repeated every 4 to 6 months. For this reason, the non-surgical brow lift is not recommended for patients who request a more permanent result.
- Direct Brow-lift: The direct brow lift is a procedure that lifts the eyebrows by making an incision directly above the eyebrow to remove excess skin and lift the brows. It is the most powerful form of brow lifting and the one with the most long-lasting results. Since the incision is placed above the brows, some patients may be worried about a visible scar. This should be of little concern because Dr. Maleki uses meticulous closure techniques.
- Hairline Brow-lift: The pre-trichial brow lift or hairline brow lift is a surgical brow lift that involves making the incision right at the hairline. Once the entire forehead and brow are elevated, the excess skin is measured and excised. This is a more invasive approach compared to a direct brow lift, but the main advantage is the incision is hidden in the hairline. Patients who have longer foreheads will benefit from this procedure. The hairline brow lift, however, is not suitable for men who have a receding hairline.