Brow lifting is a technique for elevating the eyebrow and lower forehead. This can be done through a direct incision made over the eyebrow or at the hairline or endoscopically, using special instruments that are inserted through small incisions behind the hairline.
It does not remove excess upper eyelid skin or fat (that procedure is known as blepharoplasty) or change the position of the upper eyelid or make the eye more open (ptosis repair).
What are the risks?
- bruising
- scalp bleeding (slight oozing from the wound site)
- infection
- over or under correction
- brow asymmetry
- temporary or permanent numbness in the forehead or scalp area
- facial nerve weakness affecting brow animation or eyelid closure
- early relapse of brow, or forehead descent
- with endoscopic lifting, alopecia (patchy loss of hair at incision sites within hairline) or an altered hairline can also occur
In addition to the risks specific to the individual procedure, there are also general risks, such as blood loss, infection, cardiac arrest, airway problems and blood clots, which are associated with any surgical procedure. Local anaesthetic may cause bruising or possible allergic responses. If your operation is to be carried out under general anaesthetic, the anaesthetist will discuss this with you.
What are the benefits?
- raising of eyebrows slightly higher to a more aesthetic position
- improvement of hooding of the skin of the upper eyelids
- improvement of outer or upper visual field
What are the alternatives?
Surgery is generally the best treatment for brow ptosis. If you choose not to have this surgery, the position of the eyebrows and symptoms caused by this are unlikely to improve and may worsen with time. This will not have any permanent detrimental effect on your vision or general health.
Other techniques of brow lifting are available and have different risks and benefits – Mr Litwin will have advised you of your best option.