Introduction to Brow Lifts

When it comes to the face, many factors can detract from one’s appearance. Some people seem to have heavy upper eyelids, but in actuality, this fullness is the result of sagging eyebrows pushing down over the upper lid rather than excess eyelid skin. Droopy eyebrows can make you appear angry, sad, or tired. Clients who have had brow Lift surgery by Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Anita Mandal in Palm Beach can feel confident that she has enhanced and revitalized their upper face while maintaining a natural look. Located in sunny Palm Beach Gardens, Dr. Mandal sees brow lift patients from West Palm Beach, all over Southern Florida, and around the country. 

What is a Brow Lift?

While often overlooked by patients, the eyebrows are essential to upper facial rejuvenation. Whether you were born with low-set eyebrows or your brows have descended due to aging, your eyebrow position plays a key role in framing the face. An inadequately positioned brow can make one appear aged, sad, angry, or tired. 

If you appear to have sagging brows, low-set brows, upper eyelid fullness, or just a droopy outer brow, you may be a candidate for an endoscopic brow lift. Palm Beach Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Mandal performs the endoscopic brow lift to restore a youthful upper face, thus also making the eyes appear more open and refreshed. 

Some patients only have sagging of the outer portion of the brow. A lateral brow lift can be performed and is less invasive with a quicker recovery. In others, a brow lift is combined with an upper and/or lower eyelid lift, also known as Blepharoplasty, due to excess skin and fat present in an aging eyelid. Each person ages differently, and the eyebrow can be divided into three parts – inner, central (including arch), and outer. There are various brow elevation procedures. The choice of the procedure depends on which parts of the brow are aging and must be tailored to one’s unique aging needs. You are encouraged to meet with Dr. Mandal to review your options and discuss realistic expectations.

Types of Brow Lifts

Because Dr. Mandal wants to ensure that every patient has the best possible outcome with the most naturalistic results, she has mastered the techniques required to treat each patient’s needs. 

The Classic

A Classic Brow Lift (Coronal Brow Lift) is performed under anesthesia and involves an incision that starts just above the ear level and follows the hairline hidden within the forehead borders to the opposite ear. Dr. Mandal will make an incision behind your hairline and across the top of your head, either from ear to ear or primarily on the top of your head. Your forehead is then lifted into its new position, with the scalp in front of the incision overlapping the scalp behind it. Any part of the overlapping scalp will be removed, and the remaining portions of your scalp will be sewn together. 

This technique is not typically performed on people with high hairlines, thinning hairlines, or those likely to lose their hair.

Direct Brow Lift

Also called a “Gull Wing” Lift, a Direct Lift removes a section of skin and underlying tissue just above the eyebrows or in the mid-forehead. This technique lifts a sagging brow while simultaneously tightening and smoothing the forehead by pulling the skin and tissue of the forehead down rather than up, which allows the hairline to be lowered. Dr. Mandal will carefully position the scar just along the border of the eyebrows so that it is maximally camouflaged, as shown below.

This procedure is ideal for patients with a receding hairline or high forehead, severe brow droop, and significant forehead wrinkles within which the incisions can be hidden. It is also preferred for patients with an extremely thin or balding hairline. It is a less invasive procedure, so it can often be performed under local anesthesia. 

Endoscopic Brow Lift

An Endoscopic Brow lift is a minimally invasive procedure that can also be performed under local anesthesia. After making several small incisions hidden just behind your hairline, Dr. Mandal inserts an endoscope (a long, thin tube with a light and a tiny camera mounted on its end) through one of the incisions for easier viewing of your underlying muscles and tissues. Next, she uses another special instrument inserted through a different incision to release and elevate brow tissue gently. The incisions are then closed with stitches or small clips.

Generally, this procedure involves a faster healing time and less bruising. 

Gliding Brow Lift

A Gliding Brow Lift is a minimally invasive technique that separates the skin and brow off of the underlying muscle and re-positions it into a higher position. Dr. Mandal then fixes the skin and brow to the muscle underneath with a quilting type of suture, also known as a “hemostatic net”. Although these quilting sutures are initially visible, they are vital to securing the longevity of the lift and will be removed 48-72 hours after a surgical bond is formed between the skin and the muscle. The procedure itself takes about an hour.

Please keep in mind that since there is no skin removed during this procedure, the hairline cannot be lowered. Also, because the incisions are so small and no endoscope or camera is used, the wrinkles above the nose (a.k.a. the ‘11’s) cannot be removed either. However, since the skin is lifted and positioned higher, most horizontal wrinkles on the forehead can be significantly improved.

What Are the Benefits of a Brow Lift?

Our patients in the Palm Beach area have enjoyed the following benefits from a Brow Lift surgery: 

• Improvement of multiple skin problems in a single procedure (i.e., crow’s feet, hooded eyes, etc.)
• Enhanced self-confidence
• Less invasive than a facelift
• Lifts sagging skin
• Opens up your eyes
• Provides your brows with symmetry
• Can reverse a tired and angry appearance
• Smooths fine lines and wrinkles

Who Are the Best Candidates for the Brow Lift Procedure?

If you are wondering if you are a good candidate for a Brow Lift in Palm Beach, you should have some of the following characteristics:

• Frown lines or furrows in the upper face
• A desire to minimize the visible effects of aging
• Have a positive attitude with realistic expectations regarding the outcome of your surgery
• Be a non-smoker
• Be physically healthy
• Have a receding hairline or are completely bald

*If you have previously had upper-eyelid surgery, Dr. Mandal will simply perform a more conservative operation or alter the incision location to keep visible scarring to a minimum.

What’s the First Step?

The first step in getting a Brow Lift in greater Palm Beach is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Mandal. She will discuss your goals for the surgery during this appointment and review your medical history to verify you won’t have problems during the procedure, such as blood clotting, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or the tendency to develop larger scars. You are encouraged to inform Dr. Mandal if you are a smoker, have had previous facial surgery, or are currently taking any medications or drugs (including aspirin or any other prescriptions) that might affect clotting.

Once you decide to proceed with the surgery, Dr. Mandal, I’ll give her expert advice on the specific brow lift technique she recommends. Our highly skilled team at Mandal Plastic Surgery is here to answer any questions or concerns that you may have. 

Since BOTOX® Cosmetic temporarily raises the eyebrows, it is often given one week before surgery to help keep them elevated while they are healing in their new position. Botox can also be maintained after surgery to help slow down additional aging of the upper face following brow lift surgery.

What to Expect on the Day of Brow Lift Surgery

On the day of your Brow Lift in Palm Beach, you will meet with Dr. Mandal after being checked in by the front desk. Dr. Mandal will then go over the procedure with you and make any markings that will act as her “guide” to identifying important landmarks during your procedure. If you are having general anesthesia or IV sedation, you will also meet with our Anesthesiologist, who will review your medical history prior to administering you “twilight” anesthesia. 

When your surgery begins, Dr. Mandal will make several mini-incisions just behind the hairline. She will then insert a very tiny lighted camera, called an endoscope, through the incisional openings to visualize the tissues under the forehead skin. She will utilize special instruments to release the eyebrows from the deeper tissues to which they are attached. Hidden anchor sutures are then placed to maintain the brows in their lifted position postoperatively. Surgical correction can sometimes be done with local anesthesia alone for patients needing only a portion of their eyebrow elevated (such as with a lateral or outer brow lift).

The entire surgery typically takes about 90 minutes, but this can vary depending on the techniques used and whether you are having additional procedures.

Brow Lift Recovery

Since this is an outpatient surgical procedure, you will be able to return home the same day to recover in a more comfortable setting. There will be some bruising and swelling immediately after surgery, but these resolve on their own within two weeks post-surgery. Patients are asked to use ice and keep their heads elevated to reduce the amount of swelling for the first 5 days. You may shower and wash your hair on the first postoperative day after removing the drain.

Sutures are removed in 10 days, at which point you may return to most routine activities. Dr. Mandal’s typical brow lift patients are extremely happy with their refreshed, more welcoming facial appearance. The subtle yet impressive changes from surgical brow elevation often lead to increased confidence in the workplace and on a social level.

How Much Does a Brow Lift Cost in Palm Beach, FL?

The cost of a Brow Lift in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens will vary from patient to patient. Everyone ages differently, so no two patients’ needs are exactly the same, nor is their surgery. During your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Mandal, she will provide her expert recommendations, followed by a detailed breakdown of the associated costs. 

Why Choose Dr. Mandal?

Dual Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Anita Mandal, uses her surgical expertise, artistic eye, and over 2 decades of experience as a Facial Plastic Surgeon. Her open communication, sound judgment, and exceptional technical skills are the foundation for her long-term patient relationships. She is fellowship trained with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), certified with the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS), and also has five to six years of residency in head and neck surgery.

Schedule Your Consultation

Restore a youthful look to your face and forehead with our Palm Beach Brow Lift. If you want to rejuvenate the appearance of a furrowed or drooping brow and would like to know if this procedure is right for you, we encourage you to meet and discuss your candidacy with Dr. Anita Mandal. To discover your options and learn about any other procedures we provide, request a consultation online or call our office directly at (561) 238-0040.

Brow Lift FAQs

Is a Brow Lift Painful?

While each patient’s pain/discomfort threshold varies, most experience minimal pain, if any, after a Brow Lift, but it is common to feel some discomfort and tightness throughout the forehead.

You will be provided with specific post-operative instructions on what to expect from your healing process. In the first few days after a Brow Lift, we recommend you rest with your head of bed elevated and take the recommended pain medication only as needed. 

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

The number of appointments you will need for a Brow Lift is determined by your individual needs and how well your body responds to the procedure. Although you can expect to return for a check-up within a week following your surgery, any additional appointments may vary. 

Once you schedule an initial appointment with Dr. Mandal, she can answer your questions and provide you with her expert recommendations. Our team will facilitate the scheduling process for future appointments. 

How Long Until I See Results?

You should plan on taking it easy for about a week after surgery, even though you can expect to be up and walking in a day or two. Within two days or so, the bandage is removed, and you will be able to shower and shampoo your hair. In a week or ten days, most patients are back to work. Limiting any activity that increases your blood pressure for several weeks and sun exposure for several months is important.

Within about three weeks, most physical signs of the surgery should begin to fade away, and your energy level will continue to improve as you heal and feel better.

Most patients are pleased with their brow lift results. Within a matter of weeks, they feel and look much younger. The brow lift can minimize the appearance of facial lines for many years.

When Can I Return to Work After a Brow Lift? 

You should never rush into anything after surgery, but allow your body the time to heal properly. Most patients are able to return to work 10 – 14 days after their Brow Lift operation. If you’re ever concerned or unsure when you should go back to work, please discuss this with Dr. Mandal during your consultation and follow-up appointments, or call our office so that we can assist you.

When Will I Be Able to Work Out Again After a Brow Lift?

We understand that staying in shape is important to many clients. While you should generally resume light walking a day or two after your procedure, most patients can begin some light exercise about two to three weeks after surgery and then gradually move into more intense workouts a little after a month.

You should always follow Dr. Mandal’s post-operative instructions to achieve optimal results, including easing back into your regular workout routine. 

Can I Combine a Brow Lift with Other Procedures?

Absolutely! If you are looking for any other areas of your face that you’d like to improve at the same time as your Brow Lift surgery, Dr. Mandal would love to discuss your options. Many of our Palm Beach patients will combine their procedure with Eyelid Surgery, Facelift, or Neck Lift. In combination, these procedures can dramatically rejuvenate the upper face, giving the patient a more youthful, refreshed, and vibrant appearance.

No matter what your aesthetic goals are, our team at Mandal Plastic Surgery is here to help you achieve them!

How Do I Know If I Need a Brow Lift or Upper Eyelid Surgery?

It’s not uncommon for patients to think that they need their upper eyelids treated when, in fact, they need their eyebrows lifted. Through careful evaluation, Dr. Mandal can decide whether the forehead or eyebrows need to be treated. Sometimes, performing both surgeries at the same time is necessary. 

During your consultation, Dr. Mandal will have you seated upright so that she can see how your eyebrows would look in their naturally pleasing position. Once the eyebrows are in this natural position, Dr. Mandal will be better able to assess the skin and fat of your upper eyelids. 

It is extremely important to evaluate male eyebrows differently since they are typically lower set and heavier than the upper eyelids, giving a more masculine appearance than a woman’s upper face. If too much skin is removed to compensate for a man’s sagging eyebrows, it may result in a more feminized appearance.

What Are the Risks Associated with a Brow Lift?

Albeit rare, when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon, plastic surgery comes with a small chance of risks. Some complications associated with a Brow Lift may include the following: 

• Scarring
• Changes in skin sensation
• Asymmetry in the position of the brows
• Hair problems

Dr. Mandal and her team aim to minimize all the risks related to our procedures. Every patient is a top priority for success and safety. If you notice any concerning reactions, please contact our office immediately.

Will I Need to Have Another Brow Lift in the Future?

Since aging and gravity are constant parts of our lives, some patients may require another brow lift in the future. On average, Brow Lift results can last between five and ten years. We have found that patients who follow our post-op instructions, such as avoiding excessive sun exposure to reduce the risk of hyperpigmentation, can enjoy their results much longer than those who don’t.

Alternatives To Surgical Brow Lift

Many of our West Palm Beach & Palm Beach Gardens Brow Lift patients aren’t quite ready for surgery. For patients who may want to start with a viable non-surgical, minimal-invasive option, alternatives are available for effective upper facial rejuvenation:

• BOTOX®

It can help lift sagging brows and heavy upper eyelid skin and soften dynamic muscle overactivity of the glabellar frown lines, crow’s feet (laugh lines around the eyes), and upper forehead wrinkles.

• Injectable fillers

When placed in hollow temples, fillers can widen a narrow upper face and elevate a sagging outer brow for a more refreshed, awake look. Bellafill®, the 5-year filler, is the most popular choice in Dr. Mandal’s practice.

Injectable fillers placed along the inferior border of the outer brow can also raise a droopy outer brow and work in conjunction with filler volumization of the temples. Bellafill®, the 5-year filler, is the most popular choice in Dr. Mandal’s practice.

• Infini™ RF/Genius™ RF

This non-surgical brow lift elevates the inner, central, and outer brow by stimulating skin collagen and elastin. Infini™ RF/Genius™ RF is often combined with Botox, other neuromodulators, and injectable fillers for enhanced upper facial rejuvenation.