Brow Lift Sydney
Your complete guide and quick links to everything you want to know about having a Brow Lift in Sydney!
The Ageing Brow
Unfortunately, as our faces age, our brows do too!
The forehead skin loses its elasticity and becomes lax. Under the constant effect of gravity, the brows descend, and this is termed ‘brow ptosis’.
Brow Ptosis can cause our eyes and forehead to appear tired, unhappy, or even angry when we’re not! It can also contribute to a ‘heavy’ or ‘hooded’ appearance of the upper eyelids.
The loss of brow skin elasticity also allows the easier formation of wrinkles such as vertical frown lines and horizontal forehead lines.
What is a Brow Lift?
A Brow Lift is a surgical procedure that enhances your facial appearance by repositioning your brows to a lifted, more rejuvenated position.
A Brow Lift will counteract the effects of gravity, tighten the skin in the upper third of the face, help improve horizontal wrinkles and creases across the forehead, relieve the ‘heaviness’ on upper eyelids, and create an overall more refreshed ‘look’.
All Brow Lifts at Sydney Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Clinic are performed by our Specialist Head & Neck Surgeon/Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dr Adam Honeybrook, who specialises in all forms of Facial Plastic Surgery.
The Benefits of a Brow Lift
- Restores the natural position of the eyebrows.
- Improves the appearance of droopy upper eyelids.
- Lifts and tightens the forehead skin.
- Can soften horizontal forehead lines.
- Improves the appearance of crow’s feet and hooding.
- Creates a more rested, alert, and refreshed appearance.
- Helps ‘open’ the eyes.
The Close Relationship Between Brows & Upper Eyelids
The positions of the brow and upper eyelid are closely interrelated, and changes to one can significantly impact the other.
Brow ptosis can cause a ‘heavy’ upper eyelid, while lifting the brow can reduce this apparent excess of upper eyelid skin.
Hence, it is crucial to always evaluate the brow and upper eyelid together to achieve optimal results.
Lifting the brow and removing eyelid skin can be performed together to enhance the overall appearance of the eye area.
Dr Honeybrook typically lifts the brow first and then determines how much loose skin in the upper eyelid can be safely removed.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Brow Lift?
The most suitable candidates for a brow lift are those who:
- Are unhappy with their permanent brow expression, which may appear sad, angry, or tired.
- Desire a more ‘open eye’ appearance.
- May be experiencing vision problems due to ‘hooding’ of the upper eyelids because of the brow ptosis.
- Are non-smokers and are generally healthy.
- Have realistic expectations for the outcome of the brow lift procedure.
The Different Types of Brow Lift Surgery
Brow Lift surgery is a highly individualised procedure and needs to be customised according to each individual’s unique anatomy and brow structure.
Accordingly, Dr Honeybrook employs a variety of approaches to achieve optimal brow repositioning results.
Coronal Brow Lift
This is the oldest variety of Brow Lift Surgery and less commonly performed nowadays with the introduction of newer, less invasive techniques.
It involves making a long incision across the top of the head behind the hairline. Through this incision, the deep forehead muscles and tissues are pulled upwards and fixed into place using sutures. The forehead skin is then pulled tight to flatten any wrinkles and lines, the excess skin removed, and the incision closed.
This technique may be the recommended option in those with advanced signs of ageing and severe brow ptosis.
Endoscopic Brow Lift
A less invasive ‘keyhole’ technique performed through a series of 4 small incisions behind the hairline.
The endoscope with its camera is inserted through one incision and the surgical instruments through the others. The skin over the eyebrows and forehead muscles is released, lifted, and fixed in a higher position using sutures.
Temporal Brow Lift
Used to elevate the outer one-third of your eyebrow which is often the first part of the brow to descend and cause excess folds of skin to appear at the outer corner of the eye.
Often performed in conjunction with upper eyelid surgery but can be performed on its own. The procedure involves the surgeon making an incision behind the temporal hairline. The underlying tissues of the outer brow area are then lifted and fixed into position.
Trichophytic Brow Lift
This type of Brow Lift may be the recommended option in those with a high frontal hairline to avoid raising it further. The incision is made across and directly in front of the frontal hairline, the brow ptosis corrected, and the excess skin removed. A Trichophytic Brow Lift will not raise the hairline and may noticeably lower it.
Trans-Palpebral Brow Lift
Performed in conjunction with upper eyelid surgery. Through the upper eyelid incision, the brow tissues are accessed, released, lifted and then sutured in a higher position.
How Is A Brow Lift Done?
In the best interests of patient comfort and safety, all Brow Lift Surgery is performed in hospitals under General Anaesthesia administer by our Specialist Anaesthetist.
You can go home shortly after your procedure, but you must not go home alone. You must have a responsible adult accompany you and be with you for the first 24 hours.
Recovery After A Brow Lift
Depending on the type of Brow Lift you’ve had, recovery can take 1-2 weeks, so arrange enough time off work and social activities for your body to heal.
Helpful advice during your recovery include:
- Apply ice to the treated area during the first 48 hours.
- Avoid smoking, vaping, and alcohol in the first 2 weeks.
- To help reduce swelling, maintain an upright position wherever possible.
- Sleep with your head in an elevated position during the first 5-7 days.
- During the 1st week, engage in only light activities to facilitate the body’s healing processes.
- Swelling is expected to gradually subside after the 4th-5th post-operative day but bruising and numbness at this stage are not uncommon.
- Sutures are generally removed 1 week after surgery.
- Full healing of the incisions typically takes around two weeks, and Dr Honeybrook will schedule a follow-up appointment to assess your progress during that time.
- Expect to resume your normal, non-vigorous activities within 2 weeks, feeling rejuvenated and invigorated. Although most individuals can resume their normal daily activities after 2 weeks, it may take a few months for full recovery.
- It is important to maintain a realistic perspective on the eventual results as the influence of gravity and aging never stops despite the long-lasting effects of the procedure.
‘Pros & Cons’ of A Brow Lift
The Pros:
- The only way to effectively correct brow ptosis.
- Removes a tired, angry, or sad appearance when you’re not feeling that way!
- Improves forehead lines and wrinkles.
- Short surgery time.
- Long-lasting results.
- More correction than is possible with non-surgical treatments.
- High overall patient satisfaction.
The Cons:
- Although only short duration surgery, it is still a surgical procedure, and all surgical procedures carry potential risks and complications.
- Even though most types of Brow Lift involve incisions in the hair, adverse scarring could result, especially if you have had similar scarring from previous surgeries.
- Possible long-term numbness in the forehead or scalp area.
- Possible hair loss in the immediate vicinity of the incisions within the hair.
Potential Risks and Complications of Brow Lift Surgery
Surgery and anaesthesia nowadays in Australia are considered generally safe, but both have potential risks and complications, and these include:
Specific to Brow Lift Surgery:
- Temporary numbness at operated sites, rarely permanent.
- Intense itchiness after the numbness while the nerves are healing.
- Weakness or absence of forehead movements in the first days after surgery.
- Rarely, asymmetry of the eyebrows due to injury to nerves controlling eyebrow movements. Revisional surgery may be required to improve appearance.
- Hair thinning or hair loss around the incisions within the hair.
- Revision surgery may be required to correct some complications.
General Risks:
- Temporary swelling and bruising.
- Wound infection.
- Slow or poor healing – more of a risk in smokers and diabetics.
- Bleeding from an incision site.
- Adverse scarring such as keloids and hypertrophic scars (red, raised and thickened scars), and pigmented scars.
- Allergic reactions to medications, sutures, dressings, or antiseptic solutions.
- Adverse Reactions to General Anaesthesia or Medication: The safety of anaesthesia nowadays in Australia is well established. Nevertheless, potential risks exist with all forms of anaesthesia and unexpected reactions can occur. These may include nausea, vomiting, and allergic reactions ranging from minor to severe. Respiratory failure, heart failure, heart attack and stroke are rare but documented risks of any general anaesthesia.
Brow Lift ‘Before & Afters’
The Cost of Brow Lift Surgery in Sydney
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Brow Lift Sydney
The total cost of a Brow Lift is made up of the following individual costs:
- Surgical Fee: Impossible to indicate until you have been assessed by our Surgeon and it has been decided which Brow Lift technique is required.
- Hospital Fee:Hospitals differ in their hourly rates for Operating Theatres. Your Surgeon will advise you of the expected Theatre Fees once it has been determined which hospital you will be attending and how long your procedure will take.
There will also be an additional accommodation charge if you need to stay overnight. - Anaesthetist Fee: This will basically depend on the duration of the surgery. Anaesthetic Fees are generally around $880/hour.
Can I Claim a Medicare or Private Health Insurance Rebate?
Unfortunately, there is no Medicare Rebate for any form of Brow Lift, nor can you claim on your Private Health Insurance.