 What is 'Lifting' the eyebrows?
It is a surgical procedure to correct the location of the eyebrows, and to stretch the skin surrounding the eyes. Much of the collected skin tissue appearing to be part of the eyelid is taken up and to the side to its original - 'young' - location. This, together with the effects of upper-eye surgery, result in a more vital and lively impression of the eye and cheekbone area. Forehead lifting is a similar process, but will often include attention to wrinkles. Men, especially in later years, will benefit greatly from eyebrow lifting. The procedure is simpler than for women, and a proportion of the skin tissue above the eyebrow is removed. Why a brow lift?
Our perception of female beauty is that the eyebrows should be well above the bony eye contour. For men, the brow may be at the same level or just a little lower. With the passage of time, the brow slants down and droops, leaving one looking somewhat sad and the eyes appearing smaller. Surgery relocates the brows and the surrounding skin tissue. When facing the mirror, women often notice their drooping brows with dismay. They see how the droop disappears when they pull up their brows, and - Eureka! The decision is made to opt for upper eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty). But the conclusion is only partly correct, for this will only affect the upper eyelid. In addition, a brow lift is imperative to gain the desired effect. The two procedures combine for the best result. Brow lifting, involves repositioning of the brows, minimising some wrinkling, and lifts unwanted skin tissue off of the upper eyelids. Often the brow procedure will produce an equally good result as eyelid surgery itself. The Operation
Surgery takes place under local anaesthetic together with tranquillisers to make the patient drowsy. The procedure involves an incision being made from ear to ear, across the scalp, allowing the soft tissues of the forehead to be lifted and pulled in a way that leaves the brow repositioned, and the wrinkling diminished. No hair is cut, so when the final stitch is in place, the head of hair will appear totally normal. The procedure takes about one and a half hours. After a few hours, the patient is ready to return home. As the effect of the anaesthetic wears off, some patients may suffer a headache, whilst others feel just discomfort. Normal pain-killers help. Medication containing acetyl acetic acid must not be used, both two weeks before, nor one week after surgery. Complications
General surgical complications such as infection and post-operative bleeding are rare. There are however, some predictable minor effects. Around the incision line around the scalp there will be disturbed sensation. How much is dependent upon the type of operating technique used. After a few weeks, or even up to several months, the normal feeling will return. During this period, an irritating itch may be experienced around the affected area of the scalp. The Healing
After a brow lift healing is rapid. Swelling is comparatively minor apart from immediately around the eyes. Bruising is normal, and can result in a black eye. Convalescence
Within a few days the patient will look more normal, and is soon looking more wide-awake and lively, often in a fresh and interesting way. Stitches are removed within 8 - 12 days. Not long after the patient will have left behind all thought of the operative process. In women, all scarring will be well hidden by the hair. Only in women with a high hairline might the scar have to be placed at the hairline itself to avoid an even higher forehead after surgery. In men, if the simpler procedure of brow lifting is followed, the scars run at the upper limit of the eyebrows, or even in some deep and permanent wrinkles of the forehead. The Result
It is of course vital that the pull on the brows be done with expertise and caution. Over-lifting can result in a "slant-eyed" look. When completed competently, after between two to six weeks, the resultant well-balanced effect is delightful to see. The improvement in one's appearance is quite dramatic, and can also make the eyes appear larger. |
