BROW LIFT (FOREHEAD LIFT) By Joshua Zuckerman, MD, FACS in New York City

Good candidates for brow lift surgery are those who are affected by deep furrows in the forehead or between the brows or ptosis (sag) of the eyebrows themselves. In severe cases, sagging of the eyebrows may affect vision. However, if you experience sag of the upper eyelids, you may be a better candidate for eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). For milder conditions affecting the brows, you may wish to undergo non-surgical treatments using Botox Cosmetic, the most popular injectable in use today:

• forehead antiwrinkle treatment
• lines between the brows treatments
• non-surgical brow lift

At your initial consultation, Dr. Zuckerman can help you determine if a non-surgical treatment may be suitable for you or if brow lift surgery as the more definitive option is the better fit. Most brow lift patients are older than forty, but younger patients with sagging of the brow may also be good candidates.

Illustrative brow lift image demonstrating the addressable areas of this cosmetic surgery procedure. Not a patient.

There are three approaches to brow lift surgery, and Dr. Zuckerman performs two of them. He can help you determine which approach may be best-suited for you:

• Hairline brow lift: In this procedure, Dr. Zuckerman makes an incision along the hairline at the top of the forehead. This technique is best performed in patients who have a high forehead preoperatively. Forehead tissues are raised and if desired, the corrugator muscles are divided. These muscles form the “11s”, vertical lines between the eyebrows, which when divided, leads to an effect known as “permanent Botox”. Finally, Dr. Zuckerman will tighten the forehead by excising excess from the upper margin of the lifted tissue. The ultimate result is a smoothed and tightened forehead with raised eyebrows. The incision is well-hidden along the hairline.
• Endoscopic brow lift: This is a minimally invasive approach that Dr. Zuckerman performs through a series of three or four small incisions, each approximately three centimeters long located well behind the hair line. The camera on the endoscope allows Dr. Zuckerman to lift the skin of the forehead and scalp and to tighten them. This technique involves freeing the entire scalp from the bone underneath and does not involve an excision of tissue. Scalp tissue is affixed to the underlying bone in the outer portion of the skull, either with suture anchors or drill holes. Finally the incisions are closed, and the patient is left with surgical scars hidden under the hair.
• Coronal incision brow lift: This technique involves a coronal incision across the vertex of the scalp, and unfortunately Dr. Zuckerman does not perform this technique. Most patients are well-suited for either of the above two approaches to brow lift surgery that Dr. Zuckerman performs.

Brow lift surgery lasts approximately two hours, and Dr. Zuckerman performs the procedure under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. With either technique, you may undergo brow lift surgery on an out-patient basis at Dr. Zuckerman’s state-of-the-art, in-office, fully equipped operating room in midtown Manhattan. This operatory facility has been certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF), certifying it as a facility that offers an equally high standard of care as a hospital. The privacy, discretion, and convenience of Dr. Zuckerman’s private in-office operating room facility is an exclusive benefit of Zuckerman Plastic Surgery that many patients appreciate. Should you desire, you may also undergo surgery with Dr. Zuckerman at Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital, a major hospital in Manhattan in the Northwell system where all types of breast, body, and face cosmetic surgery procedures are performed. Dr. Zuckerman is on staff in the department of plastic surgery for Northwell system hospitals in Manhattan among others.

After a brow lift or forehead lift, stitches are typically removed in the office after one to two weeks. Some swelling and bruising is to be expected but is generally mild. Sometimes patients experience short-lived black, or raccoon, eyes, which should resolve within one to two weeks. Pain is typically relatively minimal, but Dr. Zuckerman will prescribe pain management to manage any postoperative discomfort. Patients should elevate the head for several days after surgery, and Dr. Zuckerman will place a lightly compressive dressing for one to two days after surgery. Heavy lifting or other intensive activity should be avoided for two weeks.

Dr. Zuckerman publishes many of his previous brow lift (forehead lift) results with patient consent. The before and after image gallery has pairs of high resolution images from three to four angles for each patient. Many prospective patients enjoy finding a similar case to their own that Dr. Zuckerman has performed in the past. Take a look through the gallery by clicking on the button below.

BEFORE AND AFTER IMAGE GALLERY

Brow lift surgery, or a forehead lift, is overwhelmingly safe and effective when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. However, as with all surgery, there are some risks of complications, albeit uncommon, to be aware of:

• Unfavorable aesthetic outcome
• Wound healing problems

Below are the answers to some questions Dr. Zuckerman most frequently receives from prospective patients. If you don’t see your question below, feel free to contact Dr. Zuckerman’s office, and a member of his staff will be glad to reach out to you.

How can I determine if a surgical versus non-surgical brow lift is appropriate for me?

Surgical intervention is required for more severe cases of deep furrows, vertical lines, and brow sag. Dr. Zuckerman can help you make this determination at your initial consultation.

Are you ready for your brow lift (forehead lift) consultation with Dr. Zuckerman? He will perform a thorough evaluation of your desired outcome and needs based on your anatomy and medical history. Dr. Zuckerman will also address any questions or concerns you may have about the surgery and discuss with you the details of his approach: incision location(s), procedure length and techniques, likely operative outcome, etc. Contact his office by clicking the button below or by calling 212-231-9897. Dr. Zuckerman also offers consultations via Skype and a process for out-of-town patients to visit New York City to have surgery with him.

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