Forehead Lift

Forehead lift is the name of the surgical method which is used to lift the eyebrows and rejuvenate the forehead.

Short Anatomy

The elasticity of the skin on the forehead and temporal areas around eyebrows are lost by aging. Eyebrow drooping, lateral wrinkles and vertical lines between two eyebrows are the earliest signs of aging. These give the person a tired, angry or sad appearance. Forehead lift eliminates these problems surgically by changing the muscles and tissues causing wrinkles on the areas above eyes.

General Information About the Method

Forehead lift operation is usually performed to lift eyebrows and to treat and eliminate wrinkles caused by aging. This operation can be combined with other facial surgery methods to create a more harmonious image. Eyebrow lift operation can be applied with different methods. The main difference between these methods is the incision locations. Generally, the traditional open method or endoscopic approach is used.

Pre-operative preparation

The first step is to have contact with your surgeon in order to program the initial consultation. Any concern about forehead lift should be explained by your surgeon during the consultation. Your surgeon can recommend alternative treatments and additional surgical procedures for your face in accordance with your observations. When the surgery is decided, detailed questions about your general health status will be asked and laboratory tests will be requested. Aspirin, ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ginkgo biloba, and vitamin E should be discontinued before the operation. If you have medications to be used regularly, you should consult your doctor. Unless indicated otherwise, you should not eat or drink anything at midnight before the operation. You should have a shower and wash your hair with shampoo. You should not have make-up. False eyelashes, contact lenses, jewellery, and unnecessary accessories should be left at home.

Operation

Forehead lift operations can be performed under local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia with or without sedation. You are usually discharged on the same day with the operation, but your doctor may also wish to observe you for one night at the hospital. If the procedure is performed under sedation, the patient may feel uncomfortable even though the technique is basically painless. If general anaesthesia is preferred, the patient sleeps during the operation. The operation may take one to two hours depending on the technique used. In the classical approach, a parallel incision is used behind the natural hairline. Another alternative is the pre-tracheal incision. The surgeon separates the forehead skin and eyebrows from the underlying structures, lifts it to the desired level, and removes the 1-3 cm surplus skin. Finally, stitches or wire sutures are applied. Another approach is the endoscopic technique. This method is less invasive but requires more time and advanced technology. A few small incisions are made just behind the hairline. An endoscope is placed subcutaneously as appropriate for exposing the subcutaneous tissue and muscles. Surgical tools are inserted from another incision to lift the forehead skin and weaken the muscles. Forehead skin is held in the high position with temporary sutures. The skin will heal in this position.

Post-operative explanations

Dressing is made to the face and head to keep the tissues in an appropriate place during the recovery period and reduce oedema. The next day after the operation, this bandage is changed with an elastic bandage and the patient is asked to use it for several days. Then, the patient is requested to use it at nights for one more week. In the beginning, oedema may occur on the incision site and around. This oedema usually decreases after the first ten days. Applying a cold compress and keeping the head upright for the first a few days after the operation will be beneficial. It is recommended to contact your doctor immediately if there is an abnormal redness, pus or pain. Wires and sutures are usually removed in 2-7 days. Patients usually feel good enough to resume normal activities around ten days. Strenuous activities should be avoided for 3 weeks.