Brow Lift

For some, a wrinkled forehead and drooping, heavy brows are the most problematic signs of aging. Patients who come to board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Thomas Mustoe and Dr. Sammy Sinno for a brow lift in Chicago often comment that they want to restore a softened, less stern appearance. Drawing from their experience with over 800 brow lift procedures, Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno use advanced techniques in brow lift surgery to create beautiful results that smooth the forehead and elevate the brows to a natural, youthful position.

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What Is a Brow Lift?

A creased forehead and heavy brows can make you look older than you feel, and may even create the appearance of a constant frown. A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, restores sagging forehead skin and tissues to a higher position, resulting in firmer, smoother skin. The underlying muscles are adjusted to maintain a softened, refreshed forehead appearance. This procedure corrects:

  • Horizontal forehead furrows
  • Vertical frown lines
  • Drooping eyebrows

While the eye area is brightened and “opened up” by this procedure, Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno are careful to leave the natural shape of the eyelid intact. The goal of the surgery should be to restore a youthful appearance to the eyelid and brow so the patient looks much like before aging changes were apparent. Occasionally Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno raise a brow that was always low. It is a common misunderstanding that brow lift should dramatically raise the brow. Examples abound of attractive patients with variable positions of their brow. The goal of the procedure is rejuvenation, not altered appearance.

Many patients see aging changes in the upper eyelid include wrinkling laterally (crow’s feet) rather than a lowered brow, and this is a reflection that the lateral portion of the brow often sags without major changes in the central brow. Thus, Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno frequently combine a brow lift with upper eyelid surgery, technically called blepharoplasty, to fully rejuvenate the upper eyelid. If performed properly, these procedures will not result in a surprised look or change in the shape of the brow.

How Is Brow Lift Surgery Performed?

Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno have developed a technique for browlift, usually combined with upper eyelid surgery, which results in faster recovery, an extremely low complication rate, and a totally natural appearance. The surgeons perform brow lift surgery—often as an office procedure—using local anesthesia with light to deep sedation, which aids in a quick, more comfortable recovery. Dr. Mustoe has developed his own technique, which he has lectured about to plastic surgeons nationally and internationally, that is an improvement on the well-known endoscopic technique he performed for many years previously. He and Dr. Sinno now have experience with several hundred patients in the lateral brow technique, which they often consider as a lateral brow extension of upper eyelid blepharoplasty, to optimize the rejuvenation of the upper eyelid in a natural way.

The procedure is performed entirely through an incision in the temporal hairline less than an inch in length which involves no hair loss and does not leave a visible scar even in men with male pattern baldness. The procedure is combined with an upper eyelid incision in most patients which also allows a major improvement in central frown lines. These are caused by an overactive frown muscle, and the procedure surgically weakens those muscles, like BOTOX® Cosmetic, but with permanent results. The underlying muscle and tissue are repositioned, lifting the brows and smoothing the forehead. The procedure can also be done as a standalone procedure in the appropriate patient.

Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno

Why Choose Dr. Mustoe & Dr. Sinno

Through extensive research and experience, Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno have developed several innovations that contribute to a better rhinoplasty procedure and result, characterized by:

  • Predictable, natural-looking outcomes
  • Use of local anesthesia with sedation
  • Shortened, more comfortable recovery
  • Minimal bruising
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Can a Brow Lift Be Combined With Other Procedures?

Dr. Mustoe’s and Dr. Sinno’s innovative and improved techniques have allowed them to consider the technique in a broader range of patients undergoing facial rejuvenation. It is often combined with upper eyelid and facelift surgery to rejuvenate and restore a youthful appearance in a way that is totally natural. Patients look more youthful and less tired, and yet do not look in any way “operated on.”

What Is Brow Lift Recovery Like?

After a brow lift, our patients do not have drains and experience only minimal pain. The swelling and bruising are resolved sufficiently within 7 to 10 days to allow the return to professional or social activities. Exercise can be resumed in 3 days.

Our Quick-Recovery Approach

Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno perform each surgery precisely and meticulously and have had great success in accelerating recovery. With the skillful use of local anesthesia and gentle surgical technique, they are able to perform many procedures with light oral sedation in office and others with reduced post-op discomfort and recovery time. Utilizing IV sedation in a surgicenter alongside experienced anesthesiologists allows the surgeons to avoid many side effects associated with general anesthesia. The result is a quicker and more comfortable healing process.

Both surgeons share the same essential philosophy of being attentive and hands-on in post-op care. All patients are given their surgeon’s direct cell phone number after surgery to ensure they receive prompt responses to any concerns or questions.

How Long Does Bruising Last After a Brow Lift?

The techniques Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno use minimize bruising, which is largely resolved within a week and fully resolved in 10 days for most patients. For the occasional patient who has more bruising or who desires an accelerated recovery, we now offer a state-of-the-art laser treatment which dramatically improves bruising with one brief treatment performed during a postoperative visit.

If you would like to learn more about brow lift in Chicago with Dr. Mustoe or Dr. Sinno, please request a consultation online. Or you can call us at  (312) 788-2560 and one of our helpful staff members will schedule your appointment.

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