Brow Lift in McLean and Northern Virginia

Mesbahi Plastic Surgery in McLean, VA, Washington, D.C., and Beverly Hills, CA is pleased to offer brow lift surgery to local men and women who desire a more youthful appearance. Also known as a browplasty or forehead lift, this procedure utilizes various tightening techniques to eliminate loose skin and elevate the brows to a higher position to achieve an overall smoother-looking contour. If you have sagging skin in the upper section of your face or dynamic forehead wrinkles, a brow lift can correct these issues to provide a refreshed profile. Skilled plastic surgeon Dr. Alex Mesbahi has performed countless browplasties and can help you achieve a softer look by creating a custom treatment plan that is unique to you. 

Loose or hanging skin in the forehead and brow area can make you appear older and more tired. While some people turn to injectables and other treatments to address this issue, a brow lift is a long-lasting solution that provides more dramatic results. Dr. Mesbahi can personalize your treatment plan to help you achieve the look you desire, whether you want to reduce wrinkles or the folds on your forehead and between the brows. We are proud to use top surgical tools and technologies to ensure that your brow lift is as successful as possible.

A brow lift is typically reserved for patients who are over the age of 30 and have noticeable skin laxity or unsightly wrinkles and folds on their forehead. These cosmetic concerns can cause an individual to look older than they actually are, appear tired, or angry. If you have deep lines, wrinkles, or unsightly folds on your forehead or between your brows, a browplasty may be right for you.

A brow lift is performed with general anesthesia or IV sedation, depending on the level of skin sag and your unique brow contour. There are various techniques that can be used for bow lift surgery. The specific incision approach chosen will be dependent on your cosmetic goals, hairline, and skin laxity. The different techniques that may be used:

• Traditional Incision
  Also known as the open brow lift incision, this places the incision at the top of the head behind the hairline. The open incision not only conceals scars, but it provides a certain amount of controlled lifting during the surgery. The open incision works well for those with both a sagging brow and frown lines. This is the preferred method if you are concerned about a receding hairline.
• Trichophytic Incision
  The trichophytic incision is made right along the hairline. A trichophytic incision permits significant lift in the brow for men and women who have a low risk for hairline recession.
• Lateral Brow Lift
  Also called a temporal browplasty, the lateral technique starts the incision in the hairline slightly over the temples. A temporal incision permits the outer areas of the brow to be lifted, and helps sagging that is present in the outer brows. The lateral technique also helps to smooth Crow’s feet.
• Endoscopic Forehead Lift
  This is a more modern technique employed in brow lift surgery. It places several small incisions beyond the hairline and inserts a tool known as an endoscope, which moves down to the eyebrow to release its attachments. Using the camera of the endoscope, the brow tissue is repositioned with stitches to place the brow in a better position.

Recovery following a brow lift varies for each patient with the majority of swelling and discomfort reported with the traditional technique compared to the temporal or endoscopic approaches. Overall, patients feel some bruising and swelling in the upper face near the brows and possibly near the eyes. Cold compresses can help to decrease the inflammation. Dr. Mesbahi recommends patients sleep with pillows propped under their head for at least three nights following their brow lift. It is critical to avoid any movement or activities that may place pressure on your face. The average recovery time from this procedure is about 2 – 3 weeks. The outcome can usually be seen right away, resulting in a rejuvenated appearance that seems softer with a visible improvement in fine lines and sagging in the upper portion of the face.

Do I need a brow lift or facelift?
Whether you should get a facelift or brow lift will depend on where you have sagging skin, as well as your goals. You should openly talk about your concerns with Dr. Mesbahi so he can help you decide what is best for you. Some patients come in thinking they want a facelift and find they only need a brow lift to achieve a softer appearance. Using his experience, Dr. Mesbahi can confidently help you decide on your unique treatment plan to give you your best results.

What about nonsurgical treatments?
There are many nonsurgical options, including laser skin tightening and injectables (like JUVÉDERM and BOTOX), that can provide short-term results. However, a surgical brow lift is better if you want significant improvements and longer-lasting outcomes. During your consultation, Dr. Mesbahi can go over both your surgical and nonsurgical options so you can decide which is best for you.

What technique should I choose?
Dr. Mesbahi will go over brow lift techniques in your consultation to help you understand the benefits and limitations of each approach. He will then help you select the technique that best meets your needs and goals. A few of the factors that might influence your choice are your hairline (taking into account both your current hairline, as well as your risk of future recession), the degree of skin sagging, and how much time you can devote to recovery.

Will my results look natural?
If you have a skilled plastic surgeon, like Dr. Mesbahi, your brow lift results will look natural. He will develop your treatment plan with the right technique for your needs and goals to help you look refreshed and younger, not frozen or tight. When performing your surgery, Dr. Mesbahi will focus on removing excess skin. The remaining tissue and skin will be smoothed so your results don't lift your eyebrows too high or limit your facial expressions.

How long does a brow lift procedure take?
A brow lift typically takes between 1 – 2 hours, depending on the specific technique used and the extent of the lift.

Will there be visible scars after a brow lift?
Scars are typically well-hidden within the hairline or natural skin creases. With proper care, they usually fade significantly over time.

Don't let your sagging forehead make people wonder if you're sad, mad, tired, or angry — schedule an appointment to learn more about brow lift surgery with plastic surgeon Dr. Alex Mesbahi at Mesbahi Plastic Surgery in McLean, VA, Washington, D.C., or Beverly Hills, CA. By correcting your hanging brow, you can revitalize your whole appearance and look more youthful and refreshed. Dr. Mesbahi strives for results that look natural. Your brow lift will have others saying you look younger instead of thinking you had cosmetic surgery.