The eyes are surrounded by delicate tissue that is prone to premature aging, often adding years to our look. While the eyelids are often to blame for saggy, tired-looking eyes, the drooping of the eyebrows sometimes adds more to the fatigued effect.
Many factors contribute to the current appearance of our eyebrows: their natural position, the effects of time and gravity, and the activity level of our eyebrow and forehead muscles.
If you are unhappy with the appearance of your eyebrows, if they are making your eyes sag or droop, a brow lift may be just the plastic surgery procedure for you. A brow lift will revitalize the youthful appearance of your brows.
Know Your Options
There are three different procedures to choose from depending on each patient’s individual needs and desired outcome.
Endoscopic Forehead Lift
The Endoscopic Forehead Lift is a popular choice. Five small incisions will be made in the hair, allowing the entire area from the hairline to the brows to be lifted.
This procedure rejuvenates the upper portion of the face, restoring a smooth, firm and calm look to your face. The shape of your eyebrows and any asymmetry issues can be addressed as well.
After the procedure, patients usually experience some bruising and swelling, with no visible scarring. Most patients resume their daily activities about two weeks after the procedure.
Pretrichial Eyebrow/ Forehead Lift
A longer incision is necessary for the Pretrichial Eyebrow/ Forehead Lift. By removing a strip of skin and the corresponding tissue along the incision, this procedure lifts the eyebrows while raising and shortening the forehead. This, in turn, lowers the hairline, addressing the issue of a high forehead.
The entire area from the hairline to the eyebrows will be lifted with this procedure. Additionally, eyebrow shape and asymmetry issues will be addressed. Once healed, the scar from the incision is almost imperceptible.
Some bruising and swelling will occur following the procedure. However, most patients return to their daily routine after two to three weeks.
Direct Brow Lift
In the “Gull Wing” or Direct Brow Lift, a section of skin and underlying tissue above and along the length of the eyebrows is removed, leaving the hairline untouched. By bringing the skin and tissue down instead of up, this procedure is ideal for lifting sagging brows while smoothing and tightening the forehead.
Additionally, it addresses a high forehead or receding hairline while confronting the issues of eyebrow shape and asymmetry. Precise attention is paid to concealing the scar from the incision along the eyebrows for minimum detectability.
Some bruising and swelling is to be expected following the procedure, however, patients typically resume normal activities in about two weeks.
Making the Right Choice for You
The procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, with sutures being removed approximately six days after the surgery. Frequent follow-up visits will ensure proper healing and maximum satisfaction with the final results.
As always, Dr. Ruhge makes himself available to patients immediately following surgery to address any concerns they may have about the healing process. After about two months, you will be enjoying your new look to its fullest.
If you would like to address your eyes appearing tired, saggy, or droopy, it is important to see an experienced plastic surgeon for a complete evaluation. Your surgeon will be able to determine if a brow lift or an eyelid procedure would be most beneficial.
Together with your plastic surgeon, you choose the procedure that is right for you.
Contact Pasadena Plastic Surgery Specialists
If you are considering plastic surgery, it is important to choose a plastic surgeon carefully. Pasadena men and women continue to choose Dr. Kevin Ruhge to perform their face-lift surgery.
His personalized approach to plastic surgery means that his clients can contact him 24/7 after a surgical procedure.
If you would like to learn more about brow lifts, breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, or any plastic surgery procedure, we invite you to meet with Dr. Ruhge for a private consultation at our office in Pasadena by calling 626.397.9095, or by scheduling an appointment online.