Brow Lift

The brow lift describes any surgery that affects the shape, symmetry and tightness of the eyebrows and forehead. There are actually three types of brow lifts that Dr. Cohen performs for his patients:

1. Endoscopic Brow Lifts
2. Traditional (Pretrichial) Brow Lifts
3. Direct Brow Lifts

All three of these procedures give you control over the shape and symmetry of your eyebrows. They all lift the eyebrow area, and create a more youthful, tighter look. The difference lies in the exact technique used. If you are an ideal candidate, an endoscopic brow lift uses only two very small incisions in the hairline. Through these incisions, Dr. Cohen can release the muscles that cause furrows in your brows and lift sagging brows. Other patients may not be a candidate for minimally invasive endoscopic surgery, and will need a Direct Brow Lift or Traditional Brow Lift. These procedures will leave a larger scar, but it can be camouflaged and is virtually undetectable. The only way to know which procedure is right for you is to have a consultation where Dr. Cohen can examine your face. On your consultation, Dr. Cohen will carefully gather information about your goals and medical history and let you know the procedure that’s best for you.

A brow lift will let Dr. Cohen make adjustments to your eyebrows and forehead. In many cases, the shape and symmetry of the eyebrow can be adjusted to achieve the exact look you want. Everyone’s face has a different structure, though. Sometimes, the source of the asymmetry can’t be controlled. For example, in some cases, the way the eyeball is set in it’s socket can be the reason for asymmetry. This can be a problem, because it is not practical to reset you eyeball into the socket. It’s important that you point out the asymmetries that you would like fixed during your consultation. Dr. Cohen will let you know if the asymmetries can be fixed, and the best method to do so.

The term “Facelift” usually refers to a set of procedures that tighten the skin on the lower portion of the face – from the nose down.  A brow lift refers to procedures that tighten the skin above the brows (the forehead), alter the size of the forehead, and raise the eyebrows. If you’re interested in changing many aspects of your face – your forehead, cheeks, and jawline, for example – you should bring this up to Dr. Cohen on your consultation. It’s not unusual to have several procedures performed at once, such as a browlift and midface lift, so that your face gets the exact new look you want.  Often, it’s only a single procedure, but it may be more than one. Dr. Cohen has years of experience perfecting the art and science of facial beauty, and can advise you on the procedures that would be necessary to unlock the face you see when you close your eyes and think of yourself. Make sure that you bring a list of goals you have for your face so that you can review them with Dr. Cohen on your consultation.  When you leave, you will know Dr. Cohen’s plan to make those goals a reality.

Everyone is different and will take a different amount of time to fully recover from a brow lift. On average, you can expect your recovery to take about two weeks. Dr. Cohen also recommends most patients avoid activities that raise blood pressure for at least 3 weeks, such as exercise and heavy lifting. Your recovery can be sooner if you can sleep with your head elevated, such as in a recliner or with a stack of pillows behind your head – anything that will keep you from laying down. Keeping your head elevated helps keep swelling and bruising to a minimum. Avoiding pain relievers that contain aspirin will also help speed up your recovery. In most cases, recovery isn’t painful, but your eyebrows may feel “tight”. This tightness goes away with time as you adjust to how your new eyebrows feel.

Anti-wrinkle injections will stop the muscles under your brow from contracting, which is the cause of the lines in your forehead. Two weeks after your initial injection, you can expect fine lines and wrinkles to disappear for 3-4 months. After that, you will need another injection. A brow lift, on the other hand, is a permanent surgical procedure. The effects of a brow lift will last for decades, rather than months. Since it’s surgical, a brow lift also gives Dr. Cohen much more control. With a brow lift, he can permanently alter the shape and symmetry of your eyebrows with great precision. He can also reduce the size of your forehead. The best choice depends entirely on the look you want to achieve. If you want a quick fix that will soften lines and wrinkles, then an anti-wrinkle injection may be a great fit for you. But, if you want to fix a heavily sagging brow and very deep wrinkles, a brow lift may be your only option. If you have more questions on the differences, you should bring it up to Dr. Cohen during your free consultation.

If your vision is impaired by drooping upper eyelids, a brow lift may be covered by your insurance provider. Every insurance company is different, so check if your provider provides coverage. Often, your health insurance company will need some kind of proof that your vision is impaired. If necessary, Dr. Cohen will perform the tests and send the required proof to your provider if you are eligible.