A forehead lift is a surgical procedure to correct sagging of the forehead skin, eyebrows, and upper eyelids.

Endobrow lift; Open browlift; Temporal lift

A forehead lift removes or alters the muscles and skin that cause such visible signs of aging as drooping eyebrows, "hooding" eyelids, forehead furrows, and frown lines. The surgery may be done alone or with other procedures such as a facelift, eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping. The surgery can be done in a surgeon's office, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital. It's usually done on an outpatient basis, without an overnight stay.

You will be awake, but will be given local anesthesia so that you won't feel pain. You might also get a sedative to relieve anxiety. During the procedure, you will feel some stretching of the forehead skin and possibly occasional discomfort. Some patients ask for general anesthesia so they will sleep through the operation.

Sections of hair will be held away from the surgery area. Hair immediately in front of the incision line may need to be trimmed, but your head will not be shaved. The doctor will make the incision at ear level and continue it across the top of the forehead at the hairline to avoid making the forehead appear too high. If you are bald or balding, the surgeon may use a mid-scalp incision to avoid a visible scar. Some surgeons will use several small incisions and perform the surgery using an endoscope (a small camera).

After removing excess tissue, skin, and muscle, the doctor will close the incision with stitches or staples. Before dressings are applied, your hair and face will be washed to prevent irritation to the scalp skin.

This procedure is most commonly done on people in their 40s - 60s to slow the visible effects of aging. It can also help people with inherited conditions, such as furrowed lines above the nose or a droopy eyebrow.

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Forehead lift Risks

Review Date: 11/02/2009
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine; David A. Lickstein, MD, FACS, specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)