What is endoscopic brow lift surgery?
An endoscopic brow lift, also known as a forehead lift or eyebrow lift surgery, is a popular form of facial surgery that lifts the skin above the eyebrows to smooth out horizontal wrinkles on the forehead, whilst simultaneously creating space around the eyes by reducing the gravitational pull that leads to skin overhang ‘hooding’ on the eyelids.
Karidis offer expert cosmetic surgery and aftercare in London, from some of the best, most highly skilled medical professionals. Our brow lift before and after images highlight our exceptional results.
What are the benefits of an endoscopic brow lift?
Along with correcting a mild to moderate brow droop to give you a refreshed look, there are many benefits to an endoscopic brow lift, especially when compared to a traditional brow lift. These include:
- Less scarring – due to tiny, well-hidden incisions.
- Quicker healing process – as a result of smaller incisions
- Less invasive procedure – so a reduced risk of complications
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FAQs for Endoscopic Brow Lift Surgery
A brow lift – also known as a forehead lift – pulls the skin above the eyebrows upwards to lift up the skin that causes an overhang or ‘hooding’ on the eyelids, while simultaneously smoothing out any horizontal wrinkles on the forehead.
A brow lift helps to create a youthful appearance, leaving you looking fresh, natural and bright.
Brow lift surgery can be performed as an isolated procedure or alongside other facial rejuvenation work such as an upper or lower blepharoplasty for optimum results.
Yes, brow lifts are designed to be permanent. But it’s possible to see your results fade a little as you age. This is because your brow lift can’t stop wrinkles from forming in the future.
Our eyebrows are one of our most prominent features as they help to shape our face and highlight our eyes. As we age, our skin loses elasticity and lines can appear on our forehead, while our eyebrows and eyelids can begin to loosen, drop and droop.
Eyebrows can droop because of certain medical conditions, but it is very common for eyebrows to droop simply due to gravity as the muscle that holds them in position becomes strained over time. Wrinkles spreading across your forehead is one of the first signs of ageing.
Our eyebrows play a powerful role in our non-verbal communication and drooping eyebrows can wrongly give an appearance of tiredness, sadness or anger. Drooping eyebrows can also impede your vision, which may lead to feelings of self-consciousness, embarrassment or and anxiety.
During the brow lift procedure, Mr Karidis will make two or three short frontal scalp incisions, each measuring less than an inch in length. Then an endoscope (a pencil-like camera device connected to a television monitor) is inserted through one of the incisions which allow Mr Karidis to have a clear view of the muscles and tissue.
Another instrument is then inserted through one of the other tiny incisions to lift the forehead skin and release the muscle and tissue in order to lift the forehead and brow.
Without any removal of skin, the eyebrows are then lifted and secured into a higher position using Endotine forehead devices, which act in the same way as carpet tacks. These tacks then take about 6 months to dissolve as your forehead heals.
Dissolvable sutures are then used to close the tiny incision sites and gauze and an elastic bandage are applied.
Your suitability for brow lift surgery will be determined during your consultation with Mr Karidis. Remember to write down any questions that you may have for Mr Karidis and bring them to your consultation to ensure you discuss everything you wish to.
During your consultation, Mr Karidis will sit you in front of a mirror and gently elevate your forehead to the position he feels will be both achievable and will suit you best. A holistic approach will take into account all your facial features, considering their balance and harmony.
Women often want a higher brow than a man, situated just above the brow bone and arched – more so on the outer third of the brow. For males, the ideal brow is lower, flatter and usually desired at the level of the brow bone.
Usually, brow lift surgery is performed on males or females between the ages of 40-60 years who suffer from heavy or droopy brows. It can also help those of any age who have developed frown lines or furrows due to stress, muscle activity or the repeated action of frowning due to the lack of elasticity in ageing skin.
Sometimes furrowed lines and heavy brows are inherited and the brow lift can be performed to achieve a more energised, fresh and younger look.
Good candidates for a brow lift include those without a receding hairline. Brow lift surgery can be more difficult on those with thin hair, obvious asymmetry of the face and eyebrows or sun-damaged skin.
However, patients who have a receding hairline, who are bald or have had previous upper-eyelid surgery may still benefit from brow lift surgery using modified techniques. Any potential limitations would be discussed during your consultation.
The exact cost of your brow lift surgery will be discussed during your consultation. Brow lift surgery requires a surgeon fee, an anaesthetist fee and a hospital fee.
Interest-free finance options are available so that you can finance your brow lift surgery if you prefer.
After your brow lift, you will be returned to the comfort of your private room and gently propped up in bed. You will notice that you have some snug bandages firmly around your forehead, with two drains in place. The drains and the bandages will be removed before your discharge. Your hair will then be washed for you and you may return home.
Over the next few days, wash your hair with a gentle shampoo, taking extra care around the suture area.
After your brow lift surgery, you will experience some swelling and sometimes some bruising to the eyes, forehead and face which can last up to 3 weeks. This is perfectly normal and nothing to be concerned about.
This swelling may produce some temporary lag in the facial muscles with this will gradually subside. The appearance of tiny thread veins on the cheeks can also occur, but this is rare.
You may also experience some numbness and tension in the forehead and scalp after your brow lift. This is due to the small sensory nerve fibres in the skin being separated during the brow lift surgery. Full sensation returns within 9 months. Some people also feel an itchy sensation, but this will settle down in a few months.
Very occasionally, tiny bald patches of hair can appear around the incisions but again hair will usually grow back within a few weeks.
After the swelling has gone down you will likely be able to feel the Endotines that have been used to support your forehead – they dissolve naturally and take around 6 months to fully disappear.
Small scars will form at the incision sites after your brow lift, but as these are hidden by your hair they will not be obvious to anyone else.
Mr Karidis is renowned for his ‘invisible’ scarring techniques, leaving incredibly minimal postoperative scarring following a brow lift.
We will be able to provide you with tips to help with your speedy recovery, including maintaining a healthy diet to promote healing.
During recovery you may need to:
- Keep your head elevated while sleeping
- Avoid strenuous activity while recovering
- Take pain medication when needed
- Apply a cold compress to reduce any post-operative swelling
You will be given full post-operative brow lift care instructions to follow to ensure optimum healing and comfort and minimal swelling.
Informational Animation
Our brow lift animation video will also teach you more about the brow lift procedure and what to expect.
Tips from the Top
Senior Nurse Suzi says:
A balanced healthy diet, rich in protein will help you heal from surgery – try drinking a fresh green juice every morning.
Write down any questions and take them into your consultation with Mr Karidis – that way you won’t forget anything.
Prepare your body for surgery by keeping it soft and supple by moisturising skin twice daily (avoid vitamin E containing products).
Always wear sun block (SPF 50+) over surgery scars to stop pigmentation.
Stock up on comfy lounge wear for after your surgery – front opening tops are ideal.
