Sun, wind, and gravity affect the skin and muscles of the face over time. One of the most noticeable aspects of aging is a progressive drooping of the eyebrows. This can cause wrinkling of the forehead from raising one’s eyebrows as well as vertical wrinkles or furrows between the eyebrows. Sometimes the eyebrows or excess eyelid tissue can obstruct vision.

A browlift (also called a forehead lift) elevates the brow, smoothes forehead skin, and can remove vertical lines between the eyebrows. Incisions are made in inconspicuous places, either behind the hairline, in one of the forehead wrinkles, or immediately above the eyebrows. If an endoscope (a small tube with a fiber-optic light) is used, the incisions can be very small. After the muscles are tightened and excess skin is removed, the incision is closed with sutures. The operation is usually performed on an outpatient basis under either monitored anesthesia care (MAC) or general anesthesia.

Swelling and bruising, common after a brow- or forehead lift, begins to subside in seven to 14 days. Numbness and itching are common during the healing process. Sutures, staples, or clips are removed within seven to 14 days after the surgery. Incisions in the hairline may damage hair follicles and result in some hair loss.

(c) 2007 The American Academy of Ophthalmology