Are you tired of deep creases across your forehead? Do your brows look hooded? Maybe others think you look angry? Do you see a lot of excess tissue in your upper eyelids? A Brow Lift in Houston with facial plastic surgeon Dr. Raghu Athré tightens and refreshes your natural appearance.
The eyebrows frame the eyes and help shape the overall look of the face. Since the eyes are one of the most important focal points of the face, aging in the region of the eyes ages the entire face as well.
Brow lift surgery has many synonyms, including forehead lift, eyebrow lift, and cat eye surgery. The purpose of a brow lift procedure is to lift the brows, open the eyes, and make the eyes seem more awake and alert.
Underneath the skin of the forehead is a tissue layer and a muscle layer. The muscle layer, or the frontalis muscle, holds the brows up. This muscle is used when we squint or when we exhibit a look of surprise. The tissue layer is made up of a matrix of collagen and elastin, which gives the forehead its youthful fullness. As aging occurs in this area, the collagen and elastin degrade. The natural force of gravity is a downward pull, which causes the brow tissues to fall downwards. To compensate, the frontalis muscle contracts to lift the brows up. Initially, the muscle is able to compensate for the downward pull of the brows. Over time, the chronic contraction of the frontalis muscle causes furrows or lines in the skin of the forehead. Eventually, the frontalis muscle is not able to compensate leading to:
A simple procedure called a brow lift can be performed to bring the brows near to their youthful, natural position. A well-planned and executed Brow Lift procedure will account for both the tissue and muscle layer. The goal is to subtly elevate the brows, smooth the forehead skin, and achieve an appearance that looks naturally more youthful.
Before a consultation for your Brow Lift Houston patients will be asked to bring in a picture of themselves at age 20-25. This picture serves as a benchmark to customize the correct procedure to achieve the desired results. Some patients have a genetic low brow with increased fullness of the upper eyelid area. Functional, anatomical, and aesthetic goals are all reviewed to ensure a positive result. In some cases, eyelid surgery may also be performed to further “open up” the eye area.
Immediately prior to the procedure, the amount of brow lifting and the arch and contour of the eyebrow are specifically marked on the forehead. The procedure elevates the brow by lifting the tissue and the muscle. Several brow lift techniques exist, and the choice of technique is tailored to each patient after taking into consideration the patient’s anatomy, gender, natural brow shape, and background.
The endoscopic brow lift technique uses small incisions hidden within the hairline. Normally 4 incisions are used. The first two incisions are directly above the medial portion of the brow within the hairline. The other two incisions are approximately at a 45-degree angle from the lateral brow in the intersection of the hair and non-hair-bearing skin. The endoscopic brow lift is the technique that Dr. Athre uses most frequently to lift the brow complex.
The advantages of this technique is that the incisions are completely hidden inside the hair line. Hence, this type of Brow Lift definitely gives the best cosmetic outcome. In the past, endoscopic brow lifts have had some complaints with respect to how long they last. These endoscopic brow lift failures usually had incomplete dissection and a single absorbable point of fixation.
Dr. Athre’s Modified Endoscopic/Temporal brow lift technique offers all of the benefits of amazing cosmesis, no scars and excellent long-term durability.
A direct brow lift uses an incision in the brow itself. This type of brow lift is also very effective. It is also quicker, and easily performed under local anesthesia. The primary disadvantage of a direct brow lift is the scar. The scar does camouflage and diminish over time. However, this process can take up to 4-5 months in total.
Appearance of scar 2 months after direct brow lift. The scar will continue to disappear over the next 4 months. The fact that this Brow Lift is easiest and takes the least amount of time makes the direct brow lift the cheapest of all brow lifts. This type of lift is primarily used for older men.
The coronal brow lift uses an incision from the root of the ear to the root of the ear on the other side. The primary advantage of this type of brow lift is that it is very effective since the surgeon has complete visualization of all anatomic structures, and can effectively lift the brows. The primary disadvantage of this technique is that it is extremely invasive, has significant postoperative swelling, and long term results offset by the significant scar and loss of hair in the scar line. This technique is rarely used by Dr. Athre for these reasons.
Most brow lift procedures are performed under local anesthesia with oral sedation.
The brow area is relatively easy to anesthetize with local blocks. The advantage of this type of anesthesia is quicker recovery after the procedure, but also real-time examination in the operating room for symmetry.
In patients that are extremely nervous, the brow lift surgery may be performed under general anesthesia. The main factors that make this decision are:
The primary nonsurgical therapy addressing aging of the brows is BOTOX®, Dysport™ and other neuromodulator agents.
In the early stages of brow aging, BOTOX can be used to address mild aging of the brows and forehead wrinkles by relaxing the frontalis muscle. If injected carefully, BOTOX can relax the forehead lines, and result in a smooth forehead. Botox can also be injected into the brow depressor muscles (the corrugator, and the crow’s feet portion of the orbicularis muscle) giving the BOTOX brow lift. Injection of these muscles will prevent the muscles from pulling the brows down and will result in a 1-2 mm elevation of the brows.
BOTOX cannot be used to treat moderate or severe brow aging.
ELF Brow lift and makeup techniques
Patients primarily wanting to shape their brows may use makeup products such as E.L.F. Brow lift gel. These types of products including tattoos do nothing to actually lift the brows. They merely give the appearance of a shaped, lifted brow – which might suffice for minimal brow aging.
A brow lift can address a variety of concerns in the upper face, ultimately leading to a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance. But the benefits extend far beyond aesthetics. Here's a closer look at how our Houston Brow Lift can enhance your look and your well-being:
Over time, the skin loses elasticity, and the brows can begin to droop. A brow lift addresses these concerns by strategically lifting and smoothing the forehead skin and brow line. This reduces the appearance of forehead wrinkles, frown lines, and a tired or angry expression, creating a more refreshed and youthful look.
Looking your best can have a significant impact on how you feel. When you're happy with your appearance, it shows! A brow lift can address visible signs of aging that can contribute to feelings of self-consciousness. By restoring a more youthful and energetic look, a brow lift can boost your confidence and help you feel more empowered in your everyday life.
Modern brow lift techniques offer long-lasting results. While individual results may vary, the effects of a brow lift can be enjoyed for several years. This allows you to experience the confidence and joy of a more youthful appearance for an extended period.
Brow lift procedures have evolved significantly. Dr. Athré offers minimally invasive endoscopic techniques that create smaller incisions and result in a quicker recovery with minimal scarring. This allows you to return to your daily routine faster and with less downtime.
At Athré Facial Plastics, achieving natural-looking results is paramount. Dr. Athré prioritizes techniques that subtly lift and smooth the brow line, ensuring the final outcome complements your unique facial features and maintains a balanced and harmonious appearance.
A consultation with Dr. Athré is the best way to determine candidacy. However, here's a general guide:
Good Candidates for a Brow Lift:
Candidates Who Might Want to Consider Other Options:
Patients are allowed to go home the same day. The recovery time for a brow lift procedure is roughly 1 week. Incision sites are unnoticeable within about a week, and patients can return to full normal activity near the 5 to 7-day mark. Swelling and bruising resolve to the point where makeup can be worn within 7 days.
Full healing and complete resolution of swelling should dissipate in a few weeks, and your best results may take several months to completely reveal themselves.
A Brow lift starts at $4,000. This price is for the surgery only and assumes a direct brow lift. The cost of an endoscopic brow lift with anesthesia and facility fees is approximately $7,500-8,000. Therefore the brow lift cost range is from $4,000-8,000.
However, eye brow lift is many times performed together with other surgical procedures such as face lift or neck lift. In these types of cases, there is a discount for multiple procedures.
The results of a brow lift last up to 10 years. Most patients only get one brow lift in their life. After a Brow Lift Houston patients may seek our additional rejuvenation of the upper face.
Most commonly, patients may get another upper eyelid blepharoplasty approximately 10 years after a brow lift procedure if they have recurrent heavy eyelids.
Brow lifts are usually performed under local anesthesia. The surgical procedure itself is painless.
Most patients use pain medications for 1-3 days after a brow lift surgery primarily for the tightness, and heaviness feeling of their forehead and scalp area. These symptoms usually resolve by day 7 after surgery.
After a Brow Lift, your upper eyelid may be opened up a bit, but your eye shape will not change.
However, there are certain techniques such as a cat eye lift or a fox eye lift where brow lift surgery is used to specifically change the shape of the eye.
Oftentimes patients can expect to go back to work within a week after a brow lift. Bruising and swelling usually subside to a point where makeup can be worn within 5-7 days after surgery.
Brow lift surgery involves:
“Couldn’t be any more pleased! I came in with a mindset of what I was expecting and they surpassed my expectations! His staff made me feel so comfortable along the way. Dr. Athre was so kind and makes sure you know what’s going on during the procedure. To anyone contemplating a procedure, go in for a consult and just do it!”