Brow Lift Sydney
A brow lift, also referred to as a forehead lift, can address skin laxity on the brows and signs of ageing, such forehead creases and frown lines. The goal is to create a lifted effect, tightening forehead skin and pulling the brows up, according to each patient’s individual needs. It can focus on the upper third of the face, which is the area extending from the corner of the eyes up to your frontal hairline.
Skin laxity, sagging and signs of skin ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles, can occur over time as the skin loses elasticity with age. Sometimes, sagging brows can interfere with clear vision, but a brow lift is often performed for cosmetic reasons. Different techniques can be used to design a procedure that suits the patient’s personal needs. A brow lift may be combined with a blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) or a facelift.
Before & After Brow Lift
The outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors, including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise. Some images may have the patient’s tattoos, jewellery or other identifiable items blurred to protect patient identities.
Your consultation at Aesthetic Edge in Sydney
Suitable brow lift candidates
A candidate may be suitable for a brow lift if they have skin laxity around the eyebrows, deep skin creases and folds on the forehead, wrinkles (frown lines) between the eyebrows, or wrinkles around the corners of the eyes. Suitable candidates will be in good general health and have realistic expectations for the procedure. You’ll discuss your health history, any current health conditions and your reasons for undergoing the procedure to determine your suitability for surgery.A personalised procedure plan
Your brow lift procedure plan will have personalised steps to suit your needs. You may wish to combine your brow lift with another procedure, such as a blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) or a facelift. Dr Hunt will explain your procedure steps, including where your incisions will be placed.Brow lift preparation
You will need to follow certain steps to prepare for your brow lift, preventing complications occurring during the procedure and during recovery.Forehead lift recovery
Recovery time can vary from patient to patient, so discussing your personalised procedure details, your health and other factors, such as lifestyle factors, can help to provide you with a more accurate description of what you can expect. You will also receive instructions to follow to support your healing and prevent complications.
Procedure costs
The costs of your brow lift will depend on the details of your procedure, which will be personalised, so you will receive a quote during a consultation. You can discuss the details of your costs with Dr Hunt. Costs will cover surgeon’s fees, anaesthesia fees, hospital costs and costs that may be required postoperatively. Other factors, such as if you are combining your brow lift with another procedure, will also influence costs.
The Brow Lift Procedure
The specific steps of your brow lift can be planned in detail during your consultation at Aesthetic Edge in Sydney. Considering your personal preferences and goals for the procedure, Dr Hunt can put together a suitable procedure plan, explaining the steps and factors, such as where incisions will be placed.
A brow lift may be performed under general or local anaesthesia and typically takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Different types of forehead lifts can be performed using different techniques. The two main types include the open (also referred to as traditional or coronal) brow lift and the endoscopic brow lift. A temporal or transpalpebral brow lift can also be performed to address the outer part of the brow and is often combined with a blepharoplasty (eyelid lift). The procedure will be performed in your chosen hospital.
Brow Lift options
Traditional (also known as an open or coronal) brow lift
A traditional brow lift, which may also be called an open brow lift or coronal brow lift, is generally suitable for those who have more severe cases of skin laxity.
It typically involves a long forehead incision along the hairline, extending from one ear to the other. Once this incision is made, the deeper forehead muscles and tissue can be tightened, and excess skin can be removed.
The incision is then sutured closed to complete the procedure. Since the incision is usually placed along the hairline, scarring should be concealed underneath the hair.
Endoscopic brow lift
An endoscopic brow lift is considered a less invasive option than the traditional brow lift and can sometimes be performed under local anaesthesia instead of general. It involves using multiple smaller incisions within the hairline. Incisions are usually about 0.5mm long, and patients typically need about four incisions.
Through one of the small incisions, an endoscope (camera and light source) can be inserted, while other surgical instruments can be placed through the other incisions. The endoscope allows for the deeper tissues to be visible.
During the procedure, the inner and outer brow can be lifted, and the skin on the forehead can be tightened. Once the procedure is completed, the instruments and endoscope are removed before the four small incisions are sutured closed.
Temporal or transpalpebral brow lift
A temporal brow lift, also referred to as a transpalpebral brow lift, addresses the outer part of the brow, and excess skin folds at the outer corner of the eye. The procedure is considered to be less invasive than the endoscopic and traditional brow lifts and is often done in combination with a blepharoplasty (eyelid lift).
The incision typically involves a horizontal incision along the upper eyelid. The eyelid skin is then detached from the deeper eyelid muscles, or palpebral muscles, to access the deep eyebrow tissue. The forehead tissue and brow muscles can then be addressed to achieve a brow lift. Muscles and skin may be tightened and excess skin may be removed. The incision is then sutured closed once the procedure is complete.
Combining a brow lift with another procedure
Recovery Information and Instructions
The details of your recovery after a brow lift procedure will be discussed during the consultation. Recovery can be influenced by whether or not you have chosen to combine your forehead lift with another procedure, such as a facelift. Combining procedures may also lengthen your recovery time.
What to expect
The amount of time that you will need to recover after a brow lift will depend on the extent of your procedure and personal factors, such as your general health and how long your body will naturally take to heal. Generally, a brow lift recovery takes about two weeks when it comes to a majority of initial pain, discomfort and swelling subsiding. You may be able to take pain medication to manage pain in the earlier days or weeks of recovery.
During the first two weeks, you’ll need to take time away from work and get sufficient rest. You’ll also need to avoid strenuous exercise, including heavy lifting. Dr Hunt will advise you on when to slowly resume normal activities. You might be able to resume lighter exercise within the first two weeks, but more strenuous exercise may need to be avoided for up to six weeks.
As for your forehead lift results, since all swelling and bruising will need to have fully subsided before results are visible, it can take about six to eight weeks to see your results. Throughout your recovery, you’ll have post-operative appointments with Dr Hunt to monitor your healing.
General recovery instructions
You will need to follow the personalised instructions provided to you during your consultation, but as a general guide, recovery instructions to follow after a brow lift can include to:- Avoid smoking for at least two weeks
- Avoid alcohol for at least two weeks
- Avoid strenuous exercise for at least two to three weeks
- Avoid excessive heat exposure, including saunas and heated pools
- Sleep and rest with your head elevated
- Follow a healthy, balanced diet
- Stay hydrated
- Take prescribed pain medication
- Avoid certain medications and supplements, such as blood thinning medications
- Attend post-operative appointments
Costs of a Brow Lift in Sydney
Dr Jeremy Hunt will provide you with a detailed quote during your consultation at Aesthetic Edge in Sydney.
Your procedure costs will depend on the details of your brow lift, such as the techniques used and how long the procedure will take to perform. For this reason, you’ll only receive accurate cost information during a thorough consultation.
The costs of your brow lift will also be influenced by:
- The surgeon’s fees
- The anaesthetist’s fees
- Hospital fees
- Fees required during recovery
Combining a brow lift with other procedures
A brow lift may be combined with another procedure, such as a facelift or a blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), depending on the patient’s procedure goals. A brow lift focuses on the brows, while a facelift can address excess skin on other areas of the face, which may be necessary to achieve comprehensive results. A blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) can specifically focus on excess skin around the eyes. You’ll have your personal features assessed during your consultation, as well as discuss your goals to develop a suitable procedure plan for you.
If you combine a brow lift with other procedures, this will need to be considered when calculating your total procedure costs.
Medicare and private health insurance
Medicare and private health insurance can only partially cover procedures that are performed for medically necessary reasons.
If your brow lift is performed for medically necessary reasons, such as sagging eyebrows that may be impacting your vision, you may be eligible for a partial Medicare rebate or partial private health insurance coverage.
During your consultation, you can discuss your reasons for undergoing the procedure to determine if you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate or private health insurance coverage.
Risks and complications
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Infection at incision sites
- Excessive bleeding during or after surgery
- Scarring
- Nerve damage (temporary or permanent numbness)
- Hair loss around the incision sites.
- Asymmetry
- Eyebrow position overcorrection or under-correction
- Prolonged swelling
- Delayed wound healing
- Allergic reactions to anaesthesia or medications
- Blood clots or collections (hematomas)
- Pain or discomfort in the forehead region
- Eye dryness or irritation
- Fluid buildup (seroma)
- General anaesthesia risks
Brow Lift FAQs
A forehead lift is sometimes combined with a blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) or a facelift. If a patient is interested in combining procedures, their suitability for the procedures will need to be assessed to ensure that combining procedures is a suitable option.