Yes, brow lift scars do result from surgical brow lift procedures. However, exactly where your scars are located and how obvious they are will vary depending on several factors.
Location of Scars After Brow Lift Procedures
Over the years, for as long as the practice of plastic surgery has been in existence, many different types of brow lift surgery have been tried and used. Each of these techniques results in different types of brow lift scars.
Direct Brow Lift Surgery
First, direct brow lifts were used. This surgery requires one incision to be made above each eyebrow. A small section of skin is then removed from this area so that the overall brow area becomes lifted when the skin is closed up.
Naturally, this results in direct brow lift scars located right above the eyebrows (or sometimes mid-forehead within forehead creases). Of course, this poses a problem for many patients because the scars can be very visible, especially in women.
Sometimes, in men, scars within thick eyebrows or in deep forehead creases are okay because men tend to have bigger, thicker eyebrows and thicker skin. But overall, this technique is not widely used anymore.
Coronal Brow Lift and Hairline Brow Lift Surgery
After direct brow lifts became popular, some surgeons switched to brow lifts performed by making a large incision all the way from one ear to the other ear along the forehead hairline. This is called a hairline brow lift. When the incision is made even further back on the top of the head, it is called a coronal lift.
Unfortunately, although this surgical technique could achieve a mid forehead lift and improvements to the appearance of the forehead region, it also resulted in a very large scar along the hairline or on the head, and many patients ended up having hair regrowth issues and even loss of sensation on their foreheads and heads.
Temporal Brow Lift Surgery
Another type of brow lift surgery that some surgeons still utilize today is the temporal lift. This surgery is primarily for patients who have outer brows that have descended lower over time —usually due to gravity and aging. The temporal lift requires one incision to be made on each temple, within the hairline.
Endoscopic Brow Lift Surgery
Today, the vast majority of brow lifts performed in the United States are endoscopic brow lifts. Where scars from some of the other techniques had gone wrong endoscopic brow lift scars typically turn out well-concealed with no hair loss or sensation loss issues.
The surgery requires that several small incisions are made along the hairline, through which a small camera is inserted so that your plastic surgeon can see exactly what they are doing as they perform your surgery.
With the endoscopic brow lift surgical technique, each incision is very small and is located within the hairline so that it is completely concealed after the healing process. This cosmetic procedure can achieve smoother forehead skin with fewer frown lines, naturally raised upper eyelids (correction of brow ptosis), and a more youthful appearance overall.
Brow Lift Scar Appearance
To obtain a better understanding of what your brow lift scars will likely look like, we recommend browsing brow lift before and after photos. Looking at brow lift scars photos will show you your potential results and can also help you choose a qualified plastic surgeon.
How Do I Get Rid of My Scars From a Brow Lift?
Fortunately, most brow lift scars are well-concealed within the patient’s hairline. So, taking steps to reduce their appearance may not really be necessary as the patient.
What you can do is to closely follow your surgeon’s postoperative directions. Do not stray from their guidelines for healing. This means no heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for several weeks, getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, eating healthy meals, and taking good care of your incision sites.
Several followup appointments will be scheduled following your surgical procedure. Be sure to attend these appointments and continue following your surgeon’s instructions.
FAQ: Brow Lift Surgery
What is brow lift recovery like?
After brow lift surgery, patients will experience some bruising, swelling, soreness, and possible itching around the treatment area. Pain medication can be prescribed to improve comfort, but discomfort and other symptoms should dissipate rather quickly within one to two weeks. Sometimes, residual swelling can last for months.
How much does a brow lift cost?
Brow lift surgery costs vary based on numerous factors such as your choice of surgeon and anesthesiologist, where you undergo surgery, what type of surgery you require, and whether you plan to have other procedures performed at the same time. Book a consultation appointment to get an estimate.
How many years does a brow lift take off?
Brow lift surgery, forehead lift surgery, eyelid surgery, forehead rejuvenation, and other facial procedures can all turn back the clock several years when performed well. On the other hand, choosing an under qualified or inexperienced surgeon may result in botched results.
Poorly performed brow lift surgery can leave noticeable scars, odd facial expressions, loss of facial sensation, and other problems. Always choose an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon for your surgery.
Are brow lifts worth it?
If performed by a board certified and experienced plastic surgeon, a brow lift can certainly be worth it. The best candidates are those who are in good physical health with realistic expectations and who have troublesome forehead wrinkles or excess forehead skin, lower eyebrows (sagging brows), excess brow skin laxity (especially in the upper lids), and other signs of aging or drooping on the upper one-third of the face.
Contact Us Today to Request a Consultation
Would you like to learn more about brow lift surgery? You can discuss scarring, recovery, pricing, and other key topics with your surgeon at your in-person consultation appointment. To book an appointment with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rachel Mason, please contact our office today.
References
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/scar-treatment-101-what-are-the-first-steps