Trichophytic Brow Lift
What is a brow lift?
The eyebrows and eyelids are intimately related. In other words, there is usually some combination of sagging of the eyebrows and eyelids together. As the eyebrow/eyelid complex ages, there is a gradual crowding of the eyes. As it becomes more advanced, it can affect one’s vision. In those cases, insurance may cover the cost of the procedure. This aging process is occasionally accompanied by ptosis, defines as a lower position of the upper eyelid margin.
The goal of brow lifting is to restore the eyebrow to a more youthful but natural facial appearance, and avoids the “surprised” appearance some eyebrow/eyelid surgeries can produce.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a trichophytic brow lift?
The biggest advantage of a trichophytic brow lift is the fact that this technique does not alter the position of the hairline, which can occur with other techniques that are designed to raise the position of the eyebrows.
The biggest disadvantage is that there is temporary numbness of the top of the scalp.
How is trichophytic brow lift performed?
Trichophytic brow lift is performed in the office procedure suite under oral sedation, usually Valium (diazepam), and local anesthesia. The incision is carefully placed at the junction of the forehead and the hairline. Dissection is carried downward to release the eyebrow tissue and allow it to be precisely raised and contoured. The excess forehead skin is removed, thereby smoothing out the forehead and softening the creases or wrinkles in the forehead. A row of very small sutures is placed in the hairline incision and clips are placed in the incision in the hair beyond the hairline. A lightly compressive head wrap is often placed overnight and removed the next morning. The procedure generally takes about two hours to perform and requires little to no narcotic pain medicine.
If upper eyelid blepharoplasty is desired, the brow lift and upper blepharoplasty are frequently performed at the same time.
What are possible side effects from trichophytic brow lift?
Similar to any surgery, bleeding and infection are risks but these are very low (less than 10%). Asymmetry, adverse scarring, and worsening of dry eye complaints are additional low risks of brow lifting techniques.
Patients frequently have bruising and swelling after surgery which gradually subsides over a few days to a few weeks after surgery.
If you would like to schedule a consultation visit at the UNC Center for Facial Aesthetics, please call 984-974-2255 to make an appointment.