Forehead Lift

FOREHEAD LIFT OVERVIEW

Facial expressions allow human beings to wordlessly communicate emotions and feelings to the outside world; however, with age, wrinkles and creases begin to form between the eyes and across the forehead, and hooding (lateral skin folds) between the eyebrow and eyelid in the outer corners of the eyes can develop.These aesthetic changes candistort one’s facial appearance and create the look of perpetual sadness, anger, or exhaustion. Forehead lift surgery, also referred to as a brow lift or eyebrow lift, is designed to address and correct the brow and forehead aesthetic problems that develop as we age, and can help to minimize the visibility of issues such as wrinkles and lines on the bridge of the nose (frown lines), while simultaneously smoothing the appearance of forehead creases, thereby restoring a more youthfully refreshed appearance. A forehead lift can also resolve issues of upper eyelid hooding by elevating the eyebrow position, which serves to create a more alert, well-rested periocular area. A brow lift can be employed as an alternative to upper eyelid surgery, or it may be performed in conjunction with eyelid surgery and/or a face lift, for a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

before & afters

In order to achieve optimal results from your brow lift surgery, it is important to select a skillful, experienced plastic surgeon to perform this procedure. Dr. Kenneth Steinsapir is one of 500 elected Fellows to the American Society for Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and is world-renowned for his expertise in facial cosmetic surgery. Dr. Steinsapir is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist and an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the prestigious Jules Stein Eye Institute at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Patients travel from all over Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California and the World to consult with Dr. Steinsapir on forehead lifts, in the hopes of benefiting from his finely honed technical and artistic skills.

ENDOSCOPIC (SMALL INCISION) FOREHEAD LIFT BENEFITS

Forehead lift surgical techniques have evolved over time, making it a safer, more efficient operation, with less visible scarring, a shortened post-surgical recovery period, and fewer undesirable side-effects . The older coronal (“open”) forehead lift technique is now eschewed by most cosmetic surgeons in favor of the less invasive endoscopic technique, which requires a much smaller incision, yet produces equally reliable and dramatically rejuvenating results. From 1990 onward, Dr. Steinsapir has been an ardent supporter of the endoscopic forehead lift technique, and has helped many patients turn back the hands of time with this cosmetic surgery, which he carefully customizes to address the unique aesthetic concerns of each patient.

Benefits of the endoscopic (small incision) forehead lift include:

The smaller incision reduces the risk of complications and post-procedural discomfort and allows for a faster recovery, as compared to the open technique
Helps patients appear years younger, with a naturally refreshed, revitalized look
Numbness and tingling of the scalp, which was universal with the open forehead lift, is rare with the endoscopic technique
There is very little (if any) hair loss with the endoscopic forehead lift. Because the scars are virtually undetectable when healed, the small incision forehead lift can safely be performed on bald or balding men
The results of the endoscopic lift are as long-lasting as those achieved with the coronal lift, with fewer complications and a shorter recovery period

Microscrew Fixation

ENDOSCOPIC BROW LIFT PROCEDURE AND RECOVERY

At the time of consultation, Dr. Steinsapir will assess your facial structure and surgical goals, in order to accurately determine what type of eyebrow support and shape will best accentuate your natural features. Some individuals require only a forehead lift, while other patients present with both eyebrow ptosis (sagging) and excess upper eyelid skin, which makes them a good candidate for a combination of facial surgeries to produce a more complete facial rejuvenation.

Surgery itself is typically performed at the UCLA outpatient surgery center, where Dr. Steinsapir is on staff as an Associate Clinical Professor and Attending Surgeon. The procedure is generally performed with intravenous sedation rather than general anesthesia, which reduces the patient’s drug exposure and expedites the recovery process.

There are two primary brow fixation options that can be employed to support the forehead while the body heals:

Coapt Endobrow Endotine: the Coapt device is a small plate that is fixed to the forehead bone and supports the forehead. The device is completely covered and will naturally dissolve over time
Microscrew Fixation: this method of forehead support involves three or four small microscrews and a small staple behind each post. The microscrews and staples are easily concealed within the hair and will be removed approximately three weeks after surgery

Although post-surgical swelling and bruising can last for several weeks, most patients find that after 7-10 days they can resume their normal activities and work routine.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FOREHEAD LIFT

From 1990 onward, Dr. Steinsapir led the trend towards the small incision endoscopic forehead lift procedure. The endoscopic forehead lift technique is preferred because it is less invasive and leaves less visible scarring than a traditional brow lift.
Patients travel from all over Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California and the World to consult Dr. Steinsapir on forehead lifts and benefit from his technical and artistic skills.
Dr. Steinsapir is one of 500 elected Fellows to the American Society for Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. In addition, he is an elected Fellow to the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.
Dr. Steinsapir is world renowned for his expertise in facial cosmetic surgery. Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified Ophthalmologist and an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the prestigious Jules Stein Eye Institute at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

BENEFITS

A brow lift will make you appear years younger, which will dramatically improve your appearance.
The brow lift involves a relatively short recovery process and patients usually experience minimal discomfort.
Smaller incision surgery means less healing and a faster recovery and is associated with few complications compared to the open technique.
Numbness of the scalp, which was universal with the open brow lift, is rare with the endoscopic brow lift.
There is very little if any hair loss with a small incision forehead lift. The small incision (also called an endoscopic) forehead lift is not associated with hair loss which was a problem with the old style open coronal forehead lift. With the small incision forehead lift, it is routine to do these surgeries on bald or balding men and the scars are virtually undetectable when healed.
The initial criticism of the endoscopic forehead lift was that the procedure did not last. These criticisms were unfounded. With 20 years experience, it is clear that the endoscopic forehead lift holds up as well as the open forehead lift.

PROCESS

At the time of consultation, Dr. Steinsapir will assess you and your goals. He will determine if you are in fact a good candidate for a brow lift. The issue is what type of eyebrow support and shape you need. Some individuals need just a forehead lift. He will assess if something needs to be done to address upper eyelid issues. Some people will have both eyebrow ptosis and excess upper eyelid skin and fullness and benefit from both sets of issues being addressed at the same time.
Surgery itself is typically done at the UCLA outpatient surgery center where Dr. Steinsapir is on staff as an Associate Clinical Professor and Attending Surgeon. The procedure requires intravenous sedation but general anesthesia is typically not needed. This means that you have surgery with minimal drug exposure contributing to a faster recovery. Swelling and bruising can last for several weeks. However, most women find that after 7 to 10 days and with a little make up, they can go out and about without calling attention to themselves. Most men find they can return to their work routine with out make up at 7 to 10 days.

RECOVERY

To support the forehead while the body heals, there are several options for brow fixation. The two most common options in this practice are the Coapt endobrow Endotine or microscrew fixation. The Coapt device is a small plate that is used in pairs. The plate is fixed to the forehead bone and supports the forehead. The device is completely covered and over time will dissolve. The other method for supporting the forehead after surgery involves three or four small microscrews that poke out of the scalp. A small staple behind each post supports the forehead. The posts and the staples are removed about three weeks after surgery. Again, these are hidden in the hair and are generally not noticeable to others.

TESTIMONIALS

“I wanted to thank everyone at the office for their personal attention. The results of my forehead lift with Dr. Steinsapir are even better than I expected.” RB
“I saw a number of surgeons before consulting Dr. Steinsapir about eyelid surgery. None of them explained the relationship between the position of the eyebrow, the upper eyelid and the forehead. Dr. Steinsapir has amazing training and it you can tell speaking with him that he really cares and knows what he’s talking about. He told me I did not need eyelid surgery, all I needed was an endoscopic forehead lift…. The results are fantastic.”AL

I HAVE BEEN THINKING OF EYELID SURGERY BUT NOW THAT I’VE READ THIS DISCUSSION OF THE FOREHEAD LIFT, HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM A CANDIDATE FOR THE ENDOSCOPIC FOREHEAD LIFT?

There are a number of considerations that go into making this decision. Many of these involve individual issues. A personal consultation with Dr. Steinsapir will greatly assist in clarifying the best approach for you based on anatomy, personal goals, and other factors. A choice that makes sense for one person may not be right for you. Ultimately surgery must be tailored for the individual.

TWELVE YEARS AGO I HAD AN OPEN FOREHEAD LIFT. I THINK IT IS TIME FOR ANOTHER AND I AM WONDERING IF I CAN HAVE AN ENDOSCOPIC FOREHEAD LIFT EVEN THOUGH MY LAST PROCEDURE WAS DONE OPEN?

Endoscopic forehead lift can be effectively performed even after a prior open forehead lift.

I HAVE HAD HAIR GRAFTING. WILL THE INCISIONS FOR THE ENDOSCOPIC FOREHEAD LIFT DAMAGE MY HAIR GRAFTS?

It is possible that the small incisions, which are made behind the hairline, could cause loss of a small number of grafts. Generally this loss is not noticeable and concerns about this should be balanced against the benefits from the forehead lift.

ARE THERE ANY SIGNIFICANT HEALTH CONCERNS I SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT IN HAVING AN ENDOSCOPIC FOREHEAD LIFT?

The endoscopic forehead lift is generally a very well tolerated surgery. As the surgery can be performed under intravenous sedation anesthesia, endotracheal intubation anesthesia is avoid. The placement of the breathing tube is the most stressful aspect of surgery. Risks of this stress are increased in individuals with multiple cardiovascular risk factors including high blood pressure, known heart disease, etc. Therefore, we perform a thorough assessment of your health status prior to surgery. When indicated we may also have you assessed by your primary medical doctor prior to surgery.

CAN I HAVE BOTOX® AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO A BROW LIFT?

BOTOX® can be an excellent alternative to a brow lift. By utilizing the Microdroplet™ method of BOTOX® it is possible to create elevation at the eyebrow. However, the effect is not as dramatic as actual surgery and effects last 4-6 months. Many considering actual surgery need a result that is more powerful than what can be achieved with BOTOX®. This should be discussed with Dr. Steinsapir at the time of your consultation as an alternative to surgery.

HOW LONG WILL AN ENDOSCOPIC FOREHEAD LIFT LAST?

Like all surgeries, never quite as long as one would hope for. It is important to understand that the endoscopic forehead lift, like all cosmetic surgery procedures, does not stop the clock. Aging and the effects of sun and gravity continue. Generally the results of surgery including the endoscopic forehead lift are long lasting. One can reasonably expect results that last 5 to 10 years for surgery.

CONTACT DR. STEINSAPIR

Dr. Steinsapir is a UCLA- and University of Chicago-trained surgeon who has performed separate fellowships in both Cosmetic Surgery and Oculofacial Microsurgery. Many individuals travel nationally and internationally to undergo brow lift surgery and other facial rejuvenation procedures with Dr. Steinsapir. To learn how endoscopic brow lift surgery can help you achieve your desired facial improvements, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.

You may also continue to explore Dr. Steinsapir’s website (www.Lidlift.com), where you will find supplementary information pertaining to the endoscopic brow lift, before-and-after brow lift case studies, and answers to frequently asked questions about this procedure. Your endoscopic brow lift surgery can serve as a key stepping stone along the path to become the best possible version of yourself—you can take the first step by calling to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Steinsapir today.