Brow Lift Surgery in Michigan
The Problem
The eyebrows are very expressive and their position can send messages about our mood. Aging changes in the brows can be seen as tiredness, anger or sadness. The eyebrows can appear to sink or droop over time, due in part to stretching of skin and loss of fat that supports the brow. Brow droop can contribute to sagging of the upper eyelids, which in some cases may interfere with vision.
Why Brows Sag
Aging of the brows may be accelerated by several factors, including tobacco use, excessive sun exposure, a history of allergies, repetitive eyelid rubbing, and other environmental influences. It may also have hereditary components. Rarely, sagging of the eyebrow can be related to a more serious medical problem or an issue with the nerve that controls movement of the forehead muscle.
Before a Brow Procedure
Before undergoing a corrective eyebrow procedure (browplasty), a medical history is performed. Dry eyes and previous laser vision correction are issues that must be discussed. Any history of allergies is also considered. An examination is an important part of the evaluation, including a measurement of visual acuity, an examination of the brow position, the position of the eyelids, and the eyelid characteristics. Photos are taken, and in some cases, a visual field examination is performed to evaluate the peripheral vision.
There are common medications and supplements that can promote bleeding. These are to be discontinued for a prescribed period of time before surgery, as directed by your physician. Lists are available which detail the types of substances that are associated with increased bleeding.
The Procedure
An eyebrow lift, or brow lift, rejuvenates the brows. It can be accomplished with surgical or non-surgical methods. For mild brow droop, Botox (or Dysport) can provide lift to the brows without surgery, however the results will last for several months with a single treatment. When the brows are sunken because they appear deflated, replacement of volume with injectable fillers or fat can elevate the brow.
A surgical approach tends to be longer-lasting. The surgery may involve several small incisions behind the hairline (endoscopic brow-lift) or may involve a longer incision (coronal brow lift or trichophytic brow lift). In many cases, it is the outer part of the brow that requires lifting (temporal brow lift). In these procedures, sutures or anchors are used under the skin to suspend the brow.
Extra Procedures
Brow lifts are often performed at the same time as other rejuvenative procedures including eyelid lifts (blepharoplasty), facelifts (rhytidectomy), and laser skin resurfacing. When done at the same time, patients benefit from the shared downtime.
After the Procedure
A topical antibiotic ointment is applied to any incision area. Cold compresses are used for 48 hours after surgery to prevent swelling. It is advisable to avoid strenuous activity for the first week, but light activities and showering are permitted. A follow-up appointment is scheduled.
Complications
Bleeding or infection are serious complications of any surgical procedure, but are extremely rare with brow procedures. Other rare complications are visible scars, dryness of the eyes requiring eye drops, and drooping of the upper eyelids. These conditions are treatable with scar therapies, dry eye therapies, and/or other procedures. Numbness of the scalp or areas of hair loss around incision sites may be seen.
