Minimal Incision Browlift: Forehead Lifts-Tampa & Pinellas County, Florida

Most of the time facial surgery patients comment on their “…tired or angry look…” even though they “…DON’T FEEL tired or angry…” This common complaint is largely due to brow droop (also called brow ptosis). Over time our brows get lower and lower on the forehead and many times result in our upper eyelids getting in the way of our vision in addition to the heaviness that we sense on our eyelids. Subconciously, we elevate our brows to keep the heavy sensation to a minimum. This results in horizontal creases in our foreheads. When we talk, facial animation results in lifting of the brow and any brow ptosis being kept to a minimum. This is at the expense of very visible lines in our foreheads. When at rest, the eyebrows fall back to their natural lower than ideal position. This is what causes the “…tired or angry look…”

When I evaluate a patient for eyelid surgery, I fully evaluate the brows as well. As explained above, the brow is an integral part of the appearance of the upper eyelids and face. In my opinion, this is one of the key reasons you should seek my services because as a plastic surgeon focusing on facial cosmetic surgery, I address the brow as well as the upper eyelids during any facial rejuvenation focusing on this part of the face. If the upper eyelids are treated without the brow being properly evaluated then you may look angrier because after upper eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) there is no longer the stimulus to lift the brow with facial animation.

I have a rather broad experience in minimal incision browlifts, also called endoscopic forehead lifts. I routinely perform browlifts for patients in the Tampa Bay, Pinellas County Florida region. However, I not only perform endoscopic browlifts but also coronal browlifts. In fact, there are numerous methods for a browlift (also called a forehead lift). The 2 most common methods are a coronal browlift and endoscopic brow lift.

A coronal browlift utilizes a “bucket handle” style incision extending from ear to ear. It has been used for decades and with good results. In fact, many of the best plastic surgeons still use this method. However, it does have some drawbacks. One of the tell tale signs of a coronal brow lift is a higher post operative hairline than normal in women. This is rarely noted in women with a normal or low preoperative hairline. If your hairline is already higher than most women’s or if you have thinning hair then your hairline may rise after surgery with this method. After I evaluate you, I recommend a specific technique of forehead lift to suit your needs.

An endoscopic browlift uses numerous small “button hole” size incisions and a small camera to elevate the brow. Then the brow is fixed into position using either sutures or implantable fixation devices that dissolve over time. This is my preferred method of brow lifts because it uses less visible incisions and does not raise the hairline. Even though this is my preferred method, I evaluate you as an individual and choose or recommend the technique I think would work best for you. I take into account that no two patients are exactly the same.