Forehead Lift
in Houston TX
Dr. Altamira uses forehead lift surgery, also called brow lift, at his Houston, Texas practice to remove wrinkles from the forehead, lift sagging eyebrows, and improve the appearance of the upper eyelids. Forehead lift requires only a few incisions along the hairline to lift lax forehead skin and the brow line to a more elevated, youthful position. In cases requiring more extensive rejuvenation, Dr. Altamira can remove the dense muscle and connective tissue that causes deep furrows and tension between the eyebrows during the lift. Recovery time needed after forehead lift surgery is generally shorter than it would be after a full facelift procedure. Despite its relative simplicity, forehead lift has been shown to significantly reduce the appearance of facial aging. In appropriate cases, Dr. Altamira can combine a brow lift with a facelift, or upper and lower blepharoplasty for more dramatic results. Contact us today in Houston, Texas for more information about revitalizing your facial appearance with forehead lift surgery.
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What is a forehead lift?
With a forehead lift, Dr. Altamira seeks to counter the unending pull of gravity that pulls down the forehead skin and support tissues, often giving the person heavy, hooded brows. This sagging can give the patient a perpetually tired, sad, or even angry appearance. This surgery focuses solely on the forehead and the brows. The goal is to bring the skin back up and to adjust the underlying support muscles to smooth brow furrows, deep forehead lines, and heavy sagging brows. If the patient has extensive frown lines (colloquially known as the 11s), Dr. Altamira will release the muscles creating them.
Who is a good candidate for a brow lift?
There isn’t an age restriction for this procedure, but most of our brow lift patients are between the ages of 50 and 65, have sagging brows and aging forehead skin. The goal of this procedure is to elevate the brows and erase the lines and creases on the forehead.
You can get a preview of what this surgery with Dr. Altamira will accomplish if you’d like. Stand in front of a mirror and place the lower palms of your hands just above your eyebrows on each side of your head. Now pull those palms up and away from your eyes. This is in line with what a forehead lift will do.
How is forehead surgery performed?
This procedure has changed dramatically thanks to the development of the endoscope. Formerly the surgery created a very long scar, but now usually only a few short incisions are needed for Dr. Altamira to gain the access he needs. Still, some patients with more extensive sagging may not be able to achieve the necessary rejuvenation with the endoscopic method and may still need traditional surgery. Once Dr. Altamira examines your unique aging during your consultation, he’ll discuss which method he thinks will achieve your goals. Here are descriptions of both methods.
Endoscopic brow lift
The endoscopic forehead lift is becoming the method of choice for these surgeries. Dr. Altamira makes three to five short incisions within the hairline. An endoscope, a tiny instrument with a camera on the end, is inserted into one of the incisions. This provides excellent visuals of the area to be addressed without the need for the longer coronal incision. Tools are inserted into the other small incisions to manipulate the skin and muscles. As you would expect, there is very little scarring with this method.
Coronal brow lift
Until the development of the endoscope, this was really the only option for these procedures. This is also known as the “traditional” or “full” forehead lift. It involves a single coronal (think of it as the shape of a pair of headphones) incision that runs from one ear, wraps up around the forehead, and terminates at the other ear. This incision is hidden within the hairline. The forehead skin is lifted away, and underlying muscles are trimmed and repositioned as appropriate. If necessary, the eyebrows may be lifted. The final step is to trim excess skin. Then the skin is re-draped and the incision is closed.
Patient Testimonial
“I have had two procedures performed by a very thoughtful, patient, and attentive plastic surgeon. Dr. Altamira does not rush you during consultations and entertains all your suggestions and questions. The offices are very inviting along with his staff. I am not a big fan of many doctors……however, I trust his skills and artistic talent immensely.”
What is recovery like after a forehead lift?
For the first two or three days following your procedure, you’ll have to keep your head elevated at all times, even when sleeping. You’ll have bruising and swelling, and it can migrate down into your cheeks and around your eyes. Unpleasant as it is, this should run its course in a week to 10 days.
Recovery is dependent upon if Dr. Altamira was able to use the endoscopic method. If so, there is far less pain, and then numbness, and then itching involved. With the long coronal incision, there is a definite progression of sensations with the incision. A traditional brow lift can have lingering itching along the incision for up to six months. This is not the case with the series of small incisions used for the endoscopic method.
Most patients can return to work within about 10 days, but strenuous exercise and heavy lifting that puts strain onto your face need to be avoided for one month. You need to try and keep blood pressure on the face down.
Will my results be permanent from a brow lift?
The changes made by Dr. Altamira are permanent. If he has released or removed muscles creating your frown lines, the 11s are gone for good. Your transverse lines on your forehead will never be as etched as they were heading into this surgery. Your elevated brows that were giving the impression of fatigue or anger will never descend to the same degree again.
Your best results will last around 10-15 years. At that point, you may have some sagging again, but it will be marginal compared to your prior scenario.
Can I combine a brow lift with other procedures?
Dr. Altamira often has patients combine this procedure with other facial rejuvenation surgeries. For instance, patients will add eyelid surgery for total rejuvenation of the upper third of the face. Remember a forehead lift elevates the brows, but it doesn’t alter the eyelids. A facelift is another natural combination, as facelifts deal with the skin and musculature of the mid to lower face, not the brows.
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What are the risks associated with a forehead lift?
forehead lifts are a common procedure; they’ve been performed for decades and have been proven to be very safe and effective. This is surgery, so the usual possible complications exist excessive bleeding, reaction to anesthesia, infection, and the like.
A couple of side effects are involved with this particular surgery. Patients can experience hair loss along the incision (traditional method). There can also be some difficulty moving forehead muscles or your brows, but these are rare complications. The most common side effect/complication is itching along with the incision locations. This can last for months, but eventually, it resolves when your nerves have adapted.
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If you’re interested in learning more about forehead lifts please contact us for a consultation at 713.271.9000 or fill out our contact us form below. We will discuss your needs and concerns, and determine your best course of action.
