Brow Lift in Rockford, IL
With age, the forehead becomes increasingly heavy and wrinkled, which significantly changes the look of the face. Brow lift, sometimes referred to as forehead lift, surgically reverses unwanted signs of aging to reveal a younger, more attractive face. Rockford plastic surgeon Dr. Pedro Rodriguez performs brow lift on patients to reduce the visibility of brow lines and vertical frown lines between the eyes.
The Pedro Rodriguez Difference
Dr. Pedro Rodriguez is an elite plastic surgeon who performs cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He specializes in breast, body and face procedures. Merging advanced techniques with his keen eye, he produces transformative results for his patients that are both attractive and natural-looking.
Patients in Rockford choose Dr. Rodriguez because of his outstanding surgical skills and attentive care. Through decades of experience, he understands precisely how to rejuvenate the face and achieve appealing breast and body contours. He takes pleasure in helping his patients build confidence by reaching their aesthetic goals.
Benefits of Brow Lift
Brow lift surgery can accomplish multiple cosmetic improvements to the forehead including:
- Minimizing lines, creases and wrinkles that have accumulated on the forehead and between the eyes
- Removing excess skin from the brow
- Restoring a higher (youthful) arch to the eyebrows
- Helping the upper eyelid to open more fully by removing weight from the brow
- Making the face look less angry or tired in its resting state
Candidates for Brow Lift
Ideal candidates for brow lift are people in good health who do not smoke. They should have signs of aging or premature aging on the forehead (such as brow lines and sagging skin) that they want to address with cosmetic surgery. During a consultation, Dr. Rodriguez will confirm that the patient is a good candidate with realistic expectations about what brow lift can achieve.
Brow Lift Procedure
Dr. Rodriguez can use one of two approaches to perform brow lift: traditional and endoscopic. Traditional (or coronal) brow lift involves making a large incision starting behind the ear and going over the top of the head to the other ear. Through this incision he can remove excess tissue and lift the skin and eyebrows. The incision is sutured, hiding easily in the hair.
With endoscopic brow lift, Dr. Rodriguez makes small incisions in the scalp, through which he inserts an endoscope (a small instrument with a light and video camera) so that he can gently move tissue and musculature to provide the brow with a lifting effect that does not involve pulling the skin taut.
Both approaches are effective and have their own set of advantages. Dr. Rodriguez will discuss both procedures in greater detail during a consultation to devise a surgical plan that makes the most sense for the specific patient.
Brow Lift Recovery and Results
The treated area is swollen and bruised after brow lift, but these side effects — as well as scarring — should fade with time. Patients may take pain medication to moderate post-surgery discomfort. Drinking water, limiting physical activity (aside from walking) and keeping the head elevated can help to accelerate the healing process. Most patients feel well enough to return to their jobs one to two weeks after having brow lift. Dr. Rodriguez will check on each patient’s progress in follow-up appointments. Because of the smaller incisions, endoscopic brow lift recovery is usually easier and shorter than traditional brow lift.
Brow lift cannot stop the aging process, so eventually lines and sagging skin will return to the forehead. The results from a traditional brow lift typically last 10 to 15 years, while endoscopic brow lift results remain about five to seven years. Patients can extend their results by practicing a good care regimen and avoiding unprotected sun exposure.
Brow Lift FAQs
Does brow lift offer better results than Botox?
Injectables, such as Botox and Dysport, can slightly elevate drooping eyebrows and smooth lines and wrinkles between the brows and creases on the forehead. However, Botox is typically not ideal for treating moderate to severe sagging or drooping eyebrows. While injectables can address mild drooping, people who need more extensive correction should have brow lift. Additionally, Botox for the brows provides results for just three to four months, and brow lift provides long-lasting, youthful results.
What’s the difference between blepharoplasty and brow lift?
Brow lift and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) are often performed together for further facial rejuvenation. However, these procedures are used for distinct purposes. Eyelid surgery focuses on the upper or lower eyelids with incisions in the natural upper eyelid crease or under the lower eyelash line to remove excess skin, redistribute fat, and tighten internal structures for a wide-eyed, well-rested appearance. Blepharoplasty will not smooth wrinkles around the eyes. Brow lift focuses on the forehead, eyebrows, and skin around the eyes with incisions in the scalp. The brow lift procedure elevates the brow position and smooths wrinkled skin.
When can I go back to work after brow lift?
Your return to work depends on your profession. Patients who work from home or do computer work may resume their duties in as little as seven days after brow lift surgery. However, patients with more intensive jobs, such as warehouse work that requires heavy lifting, may need to wait up to two weeks before returning to work.
Why should I choose a board-certified plastic surgeon for brow lift?
A board-certified plastic surgeon has met the rigorous standards outlined by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which includes graduating from an accredited medical school and six years or more of residency training with at least three years focused on plastic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Rodriguez and other board-certified plastic surgeons have passed written and oral exams and shown a commitment to continuing their medical education through annual courses focused on patient safety and advanced techniques. Board-certified plastic surgeons have the skills, education, and experience to safely and effectively perform brow lift and other procedures. Dr. Rodriguez has high standards for patient outcomes, safety, and ethics.
Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon is best for your health and results because a less qualified or inexperienced surgeon may increase your risk of complications and unsatisfactory results.
What is the best age for brow lift?
There is no perfect age for brow lift, as every patient ages differently. Excessive sun exposure, smoking, and other factors may cause your skin to wrinkle and sag prematurely and require a brow lift sooner than someone devoted to good skin care and sun protection. Most brow lift patients are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. Younger patients may choose to smooth mild to moderate wrinkles and elevate the brows with a non-surgical treatment, such as Botox.
Will I have visible scarring after brow lift surgery?
Brow lift is an invasive procedure requiring incisions that will leave visible lines. However, Dr. Rodriguez takes steps to conceal incision lines within the hairline. The amount of scarring after brow lift depends on the surgical technique. The coronal brow lift leaves an incision line from ear to ear that stretches over the head inside the hairline. The endoscopic brow lift creates smaller incisions at the front of the hairline around the temples and the top of the head.
Brow lift scars will fade and improve significantly in the first year after surgery, changing from red and raised to soft and pink.
Talk with Dr. Rodriguez about Brow Lift
If you would like to improve the appearance of your forehead, brow lift is an effective procedure for looking younger, happier and better rested. As a skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Rodriguez achieves appealing results for his brow lift patients. To learn more from Dr. Rodriguez and determine if surgery is right for you, please arrange a consultation.
