Eyebrow lift

definition

The eyebrow lift is a cosmetic surgical operation that is used to change the appearance of the eyebrows, to correct asymmetry of the eyebrows, to lift eyelids or to reduce excess skin on the forehead and to remove wrinkles.

General

The eyebrows have the purpose of protecting our eyes with the eyelashes.
They protect against raindrops, foreign bodies and strong sunlight.
But eyebrows also support our facial expressions.
With their help we can express many different emotions, from fear to aggression to amazement.

Over the years, however, the skin loses its firmness, it becomes wrinkled and slack.
This can lead to asymmetries or changes in facial expression.
Many patients feel disturbed by drooping eyelids and so-called frown or frown lines and therefore decide to have an eyebrow lift.

The eyebrow lift is to be seen as a purely cosmetic procedure and is therefore not covered by health insurance.

This article might also interest you: to color eyebrows

Opportunities for surgery

Three different surgical techniques are used:

  1. The classic eyebrow lift. It is only about the correction of the eyebrows, wrinkles are not affected.
  2. It is possible to include the forehead in order to remove any wrinkles that may be present. Here, too, there is a classic method that is older, but also better established. A large cut is made over the hairline in order to then “pull up” the skin in the forehead area.
  3. The third method is the latest and only requires a few small cuts on the hairline. The operation works using the so-called keyhole method, in which instruments are inserted through the small haircuts.

Can you do that without surgery?

An eyebrow lift without surgery requires the injection of botulinum toxin (Botox®) into the eyebrow lowering muscles.
As described in the section "Can you do an eyebrow lift with Botox?" described, Botox® weakens the affected muscles so that the muscle fiber pull on the eyebrows is reduced.

On the other hand, the lifting muscles of the forehead muscles on the ends of the eyebrows are strengthened by reducing those forehead muscles by injecting Botox into the middle brow area.
Hyaluronic acid can also be injected to support this effect.
Hyualuronic acid binds water molecules in the connective tissue and has a plumping effect on the skin above the eyebrows.

Both steps have the result that the eyebrows are raised by 2-4 millimeters and the drooping eyelids are reduced.

You can also read how an eyelash lift can make your eyelashes longer and more beautiful:
What is the popular eyelash lift?

Can you also do an eyebrow lift with botox?

It is also possible to raise the eyebrows with botulinum toxin (Botox®).
To do this, the doctor injects a certain amount of Botox® into the mimic muscles around the eyes.
This leads to the slackening of those, which causes the eyes to appear larger and the eyebrows to be raised because the muscle fiber of the eyebrow lowering muscles is weakened.
Thus, the eyebrows are raised by a few millimeters and drooping eyelids are reduced.

This effect lasts about 4-6 months, but is very individual.

You can also read about the side effects Botox® can have at:
These are the side effects of Botox®

Brow lift with hyaluronic acid

Normally, hyaluronic acid is used as a support after the treatment of the facial eye muscles with Botox®.
Hyaluronic acid is injected via the eyebrows onto the orbital bone and, together with the botox effect, can achieve a fresher, younger and more alert facial expression.

In the connective tissue, hyaluronic acid ensures that the skin is plumped up through its water-binding effect and thus appears smoother.

Also read how the wrinkle treatment with hyaluronic acid works:
Wrinkle treatment with hyaluronic acid

Before the operation

Please let your cosmetic surgeon advise you individually which surgical technique is best for you.
Before the operation, it is important to discuss the medication you are taking. For example, aspirin may have to be discontinued for a few days.
In addition, an anesthetist (anesthetist) and your cosmetic surgeon will determine whether you need general anesthesia or just local anesthesia.
The type and duration of the operation, but also the patient's wishes, play a role here.
If you and your anesthetist decide to have a general anesthetic, please remember that you are not allowed to eat or drink anything before the operation.

Before the procedure, the cosmetic surgeon will not only advise you, but also perform a physical exam.
The bony structures are felt, the skin is examined and the general condition is assessed. These include blood pressure and blood clotting.

Beautiful, thick eyebrows are a dream of every woman.
The following article shows you how you can accelerate the growth of your eyebrows without surgery:

Growth of eyebrows

Surgical procedure

First method:

In this type of eyebrow lift, the area of ​​skin above the eyebrows is removed.
First the patient is brought into a sitting position.
The forehead is then numbed using local anesthetics.

After successful anesthesia, the incision on the eyebrows and the point where the eyebrows should be raised are marked. The flap of skin between these marks is removed.
Then the eyebrows can be raised and sewn.

The suture is placed under the skin level (subcutaneous suture) to keep scars as small as possible.
However, scars are not completely avoidable.
Usually, however, these are covered by the eyebrows and are therefore not or barely visible. Please note that this can change in the event of hair loss in the area of ​​the eyebrows.

Second method:

With this method, a cut is made above the hairline or a cut is made from ear to ear.
This depends on the cosmetic surgeon, the patient's hair, and the goal of the operation, as not all hair can cover a large cut.
The hair usually does not have to be shaved off.

After the incision is made, the surgeon first takes care of the tissue that lies under the skin.
The underlying fatty tissue or muscles can be partially removed or tightened as well.
Then the skin is pulled towards the hairline and fastened there with sutures.
The excess skin is removed.

Depending on the size of the operation, it may be necessary to insert a drainage tube.
This is used to direct blood and tissue fluids out of the wound.
If a drainage tube is placed, it usually only remains for one day.

Depending on the size of the operation, it may also be necessary to put on a head bandage.
You can usually leave the clinic on the day of the operation. The operation is performed under general anesthesia.

Third method:

The third option is the so-called keyhole method.
Here, only small cuts, about one to two centimeters in diameter, are made.
Again, the cuts are made above the hairline and are usually not visible after the operation.
Instruments and a small camera are inserted through the small incisions.

The doctor can now see exactly what he is operating on on a screen.
The forehead is pulled up with the help of the inserted instruments and then sewn in place.
This tightens the skin and puts wrinkles into perspective.

Here, too, the excess skin is removed.
After the operation, as with the second method, it may be necessary to insert a drainage tube and apply a head bandage.
Please ask your doctor about its handling before the operation.
In the case of an uncomplicated operation, discharge is on the day of the operation.

Risks

Every operation carries risks. These include the following:

  • Pain
    When you wake up from general anesthesia or when the local anesthesia wears off, you may feel pain, especially in the area of ​​the cuts. Since the pain threshold differs from person to person, no prediction can be made here about the pain intensity. You can use the usual painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen from the pharmacy for the pain. If the pain is severe, your cosmetic surgeon can treat it with local anesthetics.
  • deafness
    In the area of ​​the incision but also in the area of ​​the entire operating area, numbness can occur after the operation. These are not always reversible.
  • Bleeding
    Bleeding can occur with any operation. If you suffer from a known coagulation disorder, please inform your doctor before the operation.
  • Bruises / hematomas
    In most cases, bruises appear after the operation.
    These are mostly located in the area around the incision, but can occur in the entire forehead, eye and cheek area. However, they disappear within a few weeks.
  • Swelling
    Swelling will also occur after the operation. However, you can influence the degree of swelling by gently cooling the skin after the operation. It may also be advisable to sleep with the headboard raised.
  • Scarring
    Any cut in the skin can cause scarring. However, these are often fine and completely covered by the hair. However, keep in mind that hair loss will cause scars to become visible again.
    In addition, some people are prone to keloid scarring, which can lead to large, unsightly scars.
  • Hair loss
    Hair loss can occur in the area of ​​the incision after the operation. Keloid scarring, in particular, can lead to permanent poor hair growth.
  • Infections
    Every surgical procedure carries the risk of infection. If the wound is not kept clean after the operation, it can become infected. This in turn can lead to unsightly scars.
    It may also be necessary to take antibiotics.
  • Tension in the skin
    The skin may feel tight after the procedure.
    Some patients have difficulty closing their eyes due to the increased tension in the skin.
    Usually this will go away in a few days.
  • Injury to the nerves
    In very rare cases it can damage the facial nerves Facial nerve come.
    This nerve controls the arbitrarily controllable muscles. By violating the Facial these muscles can be paralyzed.
    In rare cases, the paralysis persists.
  • asymmetry
    After an eyebrow lift, there may be an asymmetry of the eyebrows.
    However, these are usually very discreet and barely visible. However, it may be necessary to correct them again.

The risks and complications vary depending on the type of surgical procedure. In general, the smaller the procedure, the smaller the complications.
For example, swelling, redness, pain and hematomas are significantly less pronounced when lifting an eyebrow with the keyhole method than with the other two methods presented.
However, there are advantages and disadvantages to each surgical method.

What scars can be expected?

Treatment with botulinum toxin (Botox®) and treatment with hyaluronic acid usually do not leave any scars.
Only the puncture points of the syringes can still be seen after the treatment. However, these can no longer be seen after a few days at the latest.

After the operation

The threads are pulled within approx. 10 days.
Pulling strings is usually not painful and only takes a few minutes.
The bandage can be removed after a few days.
Cooling the skin is advisable for the first 3-4 days. Exercise should be avoided in the first few weeks.
Most patients are able to work after approx. 7-10 days.
In addition, strong sunlight outside and in the solarium should be avoided.
This applies for about three months.

Costs and Chances of Success

The cost of the operation varies between around 2500 and 5000 euros.
They depend on the method of the operation, the duration of the operation, the length of the inpatient stay and the costs of the anesthesia.
The chances of success of an eyebrow lift are quite good with all methods.
However, over- or under-correction, scarring and uneven side tightening can lead to unsightly results.
Then a second operation may be necessary.