An endoscopic brow lift is a popular surgery for patients who want a renewed and updated facial appearance. Before patients undergo surgery, though, many want to know the answer to the question, “How long does a brow lift last?” Knowing the answer to this question ahead of time can help you plan for the procedure and give you a clearer idea of when you may need to return for touch-ups. Continue reading to find the answer to this question and more information about the brow lift procedure.
What Is a Brow Lift?
A brow lift is a plastic surgery procedure designed to improve the appearance of one’s forehead and the area just above the eyebrows. This part of the face contributes significantly to the overall appearance of an individual and is an area that is especially sensitive to the impacts of aging.
Many patients find that a brow lift procedure can provide them with many benefits. Some of the benefits that have been reported include:
- A general improvement to the appearance of your forehead and face
- A more youthful or energized appearance
- Removal of stubborn wrinkles and excessive droopy skin from the forehead
What Occurs During a Brow Lift?
During a brow lift procedure, anesthesia is applied, which could either be local or general anesthesia, depending on the scope of the procedure. After the anesthetic is applied, your surgeon will make a long incision where the forehead meets the scalp.
From here, your physician will manipulate the tissues and the segments of muscles and skin to eliminate wrinkles, imperfections, and sagging, adding a general sense of tightness to the upper region of the face.
Once the procedure is complete, your physician will close the incision with stitches and staples and proceed to wrap the surgical site with padding and bandages. Following this, you should only have to wait a few weeks to experience the full scope of your results.
How Long Does a Brow Lift Last?
Most patients can expect the results of their brow lift to last between 5 to 10 years. Of course, there can be some level of variability with this, as one’s lifestyle and other external factors have the potential to deeply impact the overall longevity of your brow lift.
You can help diminish the impact of these external factors by informing yourself about them. Some of the elements that can impact the longevity of your brow lift include:
- Sun exposure
- Smoking
- Lifestyle choices
- General health status
- Environmental elements
Risks of a Brow Lift
Like most intensive surgeries, a brow lift does entail some level of risk when it is undergone. Understanding these risks can help you protect against them and help you tackle them more effectively should they arise:
- Infection
- Scarring
- Scalp itchiness
- Pain
- Hair follicle loss
- Asymmetry
- Numbness
- Bleeding
You can discuss with your physician whether they think you are at particular risk for developing any of the above risks. Knowing if you are may inform your decision to undergo surgery.
Recovering From a Brow Lift
There is some level of variability in terms of the overall recovery time from a brow lift. Following your procedure, your surgical area will be closed with incisions or staples that are designed to dissolve within a week or two.
It is normal to experience some level of swelling or bruising after your surgery is complete. This also should subside within a couple of weeks. Your physician may advise you to apply ice packs or other items to the parts of your face that are suffering from swelling in the first few days following the completion of your procedure. In addition, you should contact your physician if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Excessive swelling that does not ever reduce
- Bleeding from your surgical site
- Severe pain
- Visual changes
- Fever and sweating
Any of the above could indicate that you are experiencing an abnormal recovery period and need to seek out immediate medical attention to avoid severe health consequences.
The Best in Brow Lift
Dr. Michael McCracken and the rest of the team at McCracken Eye and Face are completely dedicated to offering Denver and the rest of Colorado the best in brow lift. If you would like to discuss brow lifts and other types of oculoplastic surgery with a dedicated professional, contact our office today.
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