In Phoenix and Glendale, Arizona

Dr. Paul Angelchik is a Phoenix plastic surgery specialist who offers brow lift and forehead lift at his practice. In the paragraphs below he describes this procedure and how Scottsdale, Glendale and Phoenix brow and forehead lift patients have benefited from treatment.

Patients who are interested in obtaining a more rested and youthful appearance of the forehead and upper eyelids are potentially candidates for a brow lift procedure. Drooping brows and a wrinkled appearance to the forehead can make a person look tired or angry (even when they are not). At the same time, descent of the brow may push forehead skin down onto the upper eyelid exaggerating puffiness of the lids and at times obstructing vision. Correction of brow and forehead sagging, termed ptosis (pronounced “toe-sis”, the  “p” is silent) can refresh the forehead, diminish or eliminate wrinkles, reposition the brow at the appropriate level, and contribute to a brighter, more energetic appearance.

Brow Lift and Forehead Lift: The Options

Surgical techniques vary depending on the severity of the problem, accounting for  the anatomy of the forehead as a function of the amount and location of wrinkles, muscles and soft tissue mass, patient age, and patient and surgeon goals. Endoscopic forehead surgery uses a small fiberoptic scope and special instrumentation to enhance visualization and reduce the size of the  scalp or hairline incisions when performing the surgical dissection and tissue lifting. A popular option for  younger patients with moderate sagging, this technique may incorporate an absorbable device called an ENDOTINE, which provides fixation and stabilization  after lifting during healing, and then dissolves over about a year. The ENDOTINE is a triangular plate with tines like a fork which grab and hold the tissue in the desired location after lifting.

A lateral or temporal browlift can be performed alone or with a procedure through the upper eyelid to give a subtle enhancement of brow position and reduction of wrinkles between the brows in younger patients with mild brow descent in a less invasive fashion. Finally, the traditional bicoronal browlift which uses an open incision across the top of the scalp is performed for more advanced cases of brow descent, heavily furrowed foreheads, and in older patients who may require a more powerful lift. In all the operations mentioned, muscle attachments are released and specific muscle groups are weakened to achieve the desired appearance and reduce wrinkling. In the bicoronal operation skin is removed, which is not the case with the other lifts described here. Eyelid surgery and laser resurfacing may be performed at the same time to achieve more profound results in the right patient. Care is taken to preserve eyelid closure to avoid dry eyes.

The forehead lift procedure is done under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. A drain is used for 2 days. Staples in the scalp are removed at one week. Discomfort is mild to moderate usually and is well controlled with oral pain medication. Most swelling will resolve gradually over 2 -3 weeks along with bruising.

Brow Lift and Forehead Lift: Major Complications are Rare

All procedures have some degree of risk. While most patients do not have complications, minor complications that do not affect the outcome of a treatment or surgery may occur after some procedures. Major complications are rare. The specific risks and the suitability of a particular procedure are carefully reviewed at your consultation (and preoperative visits if you are having surgery).  Your safety and comfort are our foremost concerns. We will provide additional detailed information for you at each stage of your experience from your initial contact with our office through your procedure and afterwards in an interactive fashion. We will ensure that you feel informed about your treatment options and recovery in advance and can actively and confidently participate in designing your treatment plan. We want you to have the best possible experience and will work with you to make it happen.

In addition to brow and forehead lift, Dr. Angelchik also performs other facial procedures in his Phoenix plastic surgery practice. Visit these pages in the website to learn about how Dr. Angelchik treats Phoenix facelift, rhinoplasty, laser resurfacing, otoplasty and blepharoplasty patients.