Brow and Forehead
A brow lift, or forehead lift, is a surgical procedure whereby the eyebrows are elevated, the forehead skin is smoothed, and the frown lines are softened. Many patients choose to get their brow lift in Washington, DC, at SHERBER+RAD.
Depending on a patient’s unique needs many different types of forehead lift can be performed: endoscopic, mini-brow lift, coronal, and trans-blepharoplasty.
Acclaimed board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ariel Rad specializes in highly sophisticated rejuvenation techniques, which he developed while Director of Aesthetic Surgery at Johns Hopkins and which he continues to refine today.
He utilizes the full spectrum of techniques, from endoscopic to short scar to coronal approaches, which Dr. Rad uses to tailor a unique solution to meet each patient’s unique needs.
Candidates
People of all ages can benefit from this procedure. With age or by genetics, the eyebrows may droop or have an undesirable shape, crowding the eyes and giving the upper face a sad, aged or fatigued appearance. Hyperactivity of the forehead muscle, called the frontalis, causes forehead wrinkling which can lead to deep, permanent forehead furrows.
While Botox is the gold standard for temporary forehead smoothing, only surgical brow lifts can reposition the eyebrows, permanently smooth the forehead and frown lines, and brighten the eyes. In Dr. Rad’s hands, this procedure gives beautiful results at any age and so there is no particular age restriction. The most common reason to undergo the surgery is due to aging of the forehead.
However, genetics and anatomy play a strong role: from a young age, some patients have low, heavy, “sad,” or asymmetrical eyebrows or a wrinkled forehead and frown areas. Everyone’s anatomy is different, which is why it’s important to consult with Dr. Rad in person so that he can tailor the surgical approach to achieve the best results.
Dr. Rad’s Approach
The forehead lift approach depends on the technique being utilized. In the endoscopic technique, small, hidden scalp incisions are made through which instruments, and a camera for guidance, can be placed to release the forehead tissues and elevate.
The endoscopic technique is suitable for patients who desire eyebrow elevation and do not have excessively wrinkled skin. In the mini-brow lift (also called “short incision”), short incisions are placed along the hairline and allow targeted lifting of the outer eyebrows. Optimal for women, this technique results in a hidden scar when the hair is worn as bangs.
In the coronal technique, a long incision is placed either along the hairline or at the top of the scalp through which the entire forehead skin can be elevated. Dr. Rad uses this approach for patients in their 60s or older, those who require significant elevation of the eyebrows and/or need corrective work.
If powerful frown lines are your concern and you desire a permanent “Botox effect” then investigate Dr. Rad’s “frown line reduction” technique. Here, he uses hidden incisions within the upper eyelid to access the corrugator muscles and weaken them. Read more about these techniques on their individual pages.
“Plastic surgery is the craft of enhancing beauty without the evidence.”