Brow Lift in Pittsburgh, PA

A brow lift is a common cosmetic procedure that helps men and women attain a more youthful appearance. It is sometimes referred to as a forehead lift because they both use a lift technique to target the upper face, however each lift is a distinct procedure using different techniques. Overall, a brow lift serves to remove the deep grooves that develop between the eyebrows, and focuses on correcting droopy eyebrows and sagging upper eyelids that cause patients to look tired, sad or angry. Several variations of the procedure exist, and during the initial consultation Pittsburgh plastic surgeon, Dr. James Fernau, will help patients decide which technique is best for the desired results.

If you're looking to tackle the fine lines in your eyebrow area while lifting drooping skin, a customized eyebrow lift treatment in Pittsburgh, PA at Dr. James Fernau Plastic Surgery provides a lot of amazing benefits to restore your aesthetic, including:

• Irons out fine lines, folds, and wrinkles
• Expands the eyes for a more awake, rested aesthetic
• Reduces the “tired and angry” look
• Reduces upper eyelid drooping
• Raises the natural eyebrow arches
• Resolves crow’s feet

As we grow older, skin laxity reduces and causes various aspects of the face to begin to sag. This is particularly noticeable in the upper face and commonly affects women and men over 40. When looking in the mirror, do you seem angry or tired or notice frown wrinkles between the brows, deep forehead creases, or a drooping brow? A surgical brow lift at Dr. James Fernau Plastic Surgery may be the right cosmetic treatment to refresh and rejuvenate your look. During your consultation, Dr. Fernau will examine you and listen to your concerns to determine if a brow lift is right for you.

A brow lift is performed under general anesthesia at an accredited surgical facility. It can last between 1 to 2 hours. Patients are sent home after surgery and advised to limit movement for up to 2 days. There will be some bruising and swelling that may be present on other areas of the face, such as the cheeks. Patients will be able to go back to a normal routine within a week. Strenuous activities must be avoided as it may affect healing. It is quite normal to feel as though the face is out of symmetry, but within 3-6 months, patients will see the optimized results, and look and feel younger with a rejuvenated outcome.

Patients can expect to pay between $4,000 to $6,000 for this procedure. Because a brow lift is considered cosmetic in nature, insurance generally does not cover this procedure. However, in some cases where vision is affected because of sagging skin, insurance coverage may be a consideration. This is not guaranteed and varies by surgical case. According to www.realself.com, the average cost of a typical brow lift procedure is $7,150.

The incision techniques used during a brow lift procedure depend on the severity of sagging, the skin condition and the hairline location. There are classic incisions, which may be located on the upper eyelid, or a coronal incision, which runs from ear to ear underneath the patient’s hair. A less invasive treatment is possible with an endoscopic brow lift.

This surgical technique places the incision along the natural upper eyelid crease or the brow’s hairline. The focus is to trim away excess skin and tighten the remaining skin and underlying tissues to create a rejuvenated facial appearance. The weak tissues will be reattached to the brow bone by sutures or attached with temporary tiny hooks placed internally where the muscles will cling and heal into a new position. This treatment doesn’t simultaneously resolve any issues of wrinkles on the upper forehead.

An incision that hides the scar within the hair area is the coronal brow lift. The cut is made from one ear to the other, running along a few inches above the patient’s hairline. The eyebrows are then repositioned to correct the tired, aging appearance by pulling the muscles up. With this technique, the hairline is also positioned higher. The results are typically subtle, just enough to stretch the droopy eyelids, but not lifted too severely, which would result in a shocked, wide-eyed look.

The use of endoscopes gives way to less invasive treatments. During an endoscopy procedure, several small incisions, no longer than an inch, are made close to the hairline. A tiny camera at the end of a thin tube will be inserted to allow the surgeon to operate via a monitor. Other tubes are inserted that will perform the necessary surgical steps to correct the cosmetic problem. Sutures are placed underneath the skin to help lessen the scars. The healing from this technique is quicker compared to the classic brow lifts.

Recovery after a brow lift varies in each patient, with most swelling and discomfort reported with the traditional technique compared to the endoscopic or temporal techniques. In general, patients feel some swelling and bruising in the upper portion of the face near the eyebrows and potentially around the eyes. Cold compresses may help to diminish the swelling. Dr. Fernau recommends patients sleep with pillows propped under their head for at least three nights after their surgery. It is vital to avoid any activities or movements that may place pressure on your face. The average recovery period from a brow lift is about 2 – 3 weeks. The results can usually be seen immediately, resulting in a refreshed appearance that looks softer, more alert, and with a visible improvement in fine lines and sagging in the upper portion of the face.

The plastic surgeon will initially evaluate the problem areas on the face and recommend the best approach. A brow lift enhancement is confined within the upper area of the face while a facelift also improves the appearance of the lower area of the face including the chin and the cheeks. Depending on the severity of the wrinkles and the sagging, a full facelift may be a better approach.

The ultimate aim for a brow lift procedure is to give the face an appearance that is fresh and youthful. With this surgery, the plastic surgeon is an expert who ensures that results are subtle enough so that it doesn’t look surgically treated. An experienced facial surgeon will have a thorough understanding of the internal structure of the face and will create results that are natural and prevent a wide-eyed or hyper-alert look.

BOTOX® is a nonsurgical cosmetic treatment that targets forehead wrinkles. While it does an exceptional job of smoothing out lines and wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes, it does not correct drooping of the skin folds around the eyes. Depending on the patient’s case, BOTOX is worth trying initially to see if this treatment satisfies the patient’s aesthetic goals. If BOTOX does little to the cosmetic issue, then a brow lift may be considered. Many patients benefit from a combination approach using surgery and BOTOX to attain the desired outcome.

Because the incisions are made in areas that can act as concealer, often the hair or natural crease of the face, scarring is generally not obvious. The doctor will make sure that the incisions are carefully placed to minimize the effects of scarring.

Don't let your sagging, creased forehead make others think you're sad, mad, tired, or angry. Schedule an appointment to learn more about brow lift surgery in Pittsburgh, PA with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. James Fernau at Dr. James Fernau Plastic Surgery. By correcting your hanging brow, you can improve your entire appearance and look younger and more refreshed. Dr. Fernau strives for natural-looking results that will have your friends saying you look great rather than leave them wondering if you had plastic surgery.