December 28, 2012

Minimal Incision Browlift

Minimal Incision Brow Lift

Have your brows begun to droop over the years, or do low brows run in your family? Browlift surgery is a cosmetic surgery procedure to reposition the brows to a natural looking, higher position. A browlift can help to improve the appearance of redundant upper eyelid skin, and in women, give the brows a more attractive arched shape.

This Video Explains How the Brows Can Change Position Over Time and When a Browlift may be Appropriate.

The minimal incision approach involves incisions placed laterally to the brows, in the hairline. This approach is considered minimal since the incisions made are much smaller than with a traditional coronal scar brow lift. Less lifting of the brows in comparison with the direct approach (where incisions that heal extremely well are placed inside grooves of the forehead) is sometimes the case, however patients who can not tolerate scars in the forehead will prefer this approach. For those who only need a mild to moderate lift, the "scarless" endoscopic brow lift approach may also be an option. The eyes are one of the first parts of the face to show the signs of aging. This is due to a number of factors including, genetics, sun exposure and the natural aging process. As we age, we begin to notice changes that contribute to an overall tired look. Upper and lower eyelids begin to sag and lose their firm texture. At the same time, fat deposits begin to bulge forward as the eyelid structures become lax. The brows begin to descend which contributes to the appearance of redundant upper eyelid skin and an overall tired look. Descended brows contribute to an overall tired and aged look, and often make people look angry when they actually are not.

Benefits of the Surgery

  • In women, a more attractive arched brow shape
  • More open, alert eyes
  • Less redundant upper eyelid skin
  • Improve angry or tired appearance

How the Procedure is Performed

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Thomas Buonassisi makes small incisions just above the lateral eyebrows, inside the hairline. He uses special tools to access the brow structures. The incisions are closed with very fine stitches that are removed one week later. This surgery is ideal for patients who do not require a noticeable lift in their brows, or choose to trade off the amount of lift that can be achieved for the scarless approach.

Are You a Good Candidate

Direct browlift surgery in Vancouver is most commonly performed on people aged 30 years of age and older who are bothered by descending eyebrows. The procedure is sometimes performed on younger patients who inherited low or flat eyebrows from their parents.

Recovery

Most patients describe the recovery period to be quite easy and is associated with mild discomfort that is easily treated with pain medication for a couple of days after surgery. There is typically minimal discomfort, aside from some slight itching where the sutures are placed. Swelling and bruising is at its worst on day three following surgery, and usually subsides two weeks following surgery. The following information will give you a sense for what kinds of activities are safe during the recovery period.

Time off work

Most people who work in the public eye take one to two weeks off work. One week after surgery, some people have perceptible swelling and bruising, which can last for another week or so, these signs are easily covered with makeup. People who work from home are typically feeling good and are able to be back at their desks three days after surgery.

Combination Eyelid and Brow Procedures

Browlift surgery is often combined with other facial rejuvenation surgeries. Many patients opt to have their eyelids and other facial features, such as jowls and neck, treated at the same time in order to save having to take time off work and recover from more than one surgery. Browlift surgery is often performed with upper eyelid blepharoplasty, lower eyelid surgery or facelift surgery.

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