About Forehead Lift
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What is a Forehead Lift?
A forehead Lift (also known as a Temporal Lift or an Open Browlift), is surgery designed to correct drooping eyebrows and upper eyelids, sagging skin on the forehead, furrows on the forehead and frown lines. A forehead lift helps reverse some signs of aging or, in younger patients, corrects a sad or worried facial expression. Sometimes a forehead lift is carried out alongside a facelift, nose reshaping or eyelid surgery procedures.
What are the types of Forehead Lift?
Multiple surgical procedure choices for a forehead lift are available. The most common forehead lift procedures are:
- Mid-forehead lift: The mid-forehead lift is carried out through the removal of skin, muscle and fat from incisions cut into deep forehead wrinkles. Visible scars are the main disadvantage of this type of forehead lift surgery.
- Coronal forehead lift: This classic forehead lift procedure is carried out through an ear-to-ear cut across the forehead with the entire forehead skin lifted, trimmed and closed. The scar is hidden behind the hairline.
- Endoscopic forehead lift: The endoscopic lift is a new technique where a surgical instrument – an endoscope - is inserted through a number of small incisions in the hairline in order to lift the forehead. The endoscopic lift is today’s most popular technique as it is less invasive.
How long will a Forehead Lift last?
A forehead lift procedure usually gives long-term results that last for many years. In the case of the endoscopic forehead lift, as this is a new procedure long-term results are not available.
How popular is this type of surgery?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, approx 113,000 forehead lifts were performed in the USA in 2008. However, since the advent of Botox, many people choose injections every four or six months, to get similar results with a less invasive procedure.
Duration of procedure/surgery : The forehead lift procedure usually takes between 2 to 3 hours.
Days admitted : None. Forehead lift surgery is normally carried out on an outpatient basis without the need for an overnight stay.
Anesthesia : Forehead lift surgery is carried out under local anesthesia. Patients may also receive a sedative. General anesthesia is seldom used.
Recovery : - Any bruising and swelling from the forehead lift procedure will subside in a few days and bandages will be removed after 1 or 2 days.
- Itching around the forehead will remain for a few weeks as the nerves re-grow.
- You will be able to return to work after a week or 10 days but limit contact sports and vigorous activity for 6 to 8 weeks.
- Most signs of the forehead lift procedure should disappear after 2 or 3 months.
Risks : Forehead lifts are minimally invasive and the risk of serious complications is low.
Risks include:
- Difficulty in raising the eyebrows or moving the forehead and the need for a second corrective procedure.
- Visible scars, particularly for people with a receding hairline who can’t wear the hair further down the forehead.
- Hair loss along the incision at the hairline.
- Infection and bleeding.
After care : - Keep the head raised for two to three days after forehead lift surgery to prevent excessive swelling.
- Control pain and discomfort with medication.
- Avoid excessive movements and exercise for the first few days of recovery.
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