The eyebrows play a significant role in conveying youth and emotion. When the brows begin to droop, due to gravity, a medical condition, or general loss of volume and elasticity in the skin, this creates a tired, dull appearance. Some may have heard of the brow lift and know it as a surgical procedure, but truthfully, those types of brow lifts are on their way out. Dr. Jeffrey Ptak offers only the most advanced techniques that are proven to deliver beautiful results while minimizing downtime and recovery.
Small incision lateral brow lifts and non-surgical brow lift techniques are now the gold-standard for achieving natural-looking rejuvenation of the forehead and brow areas while also reducing a patient’s downtime. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Jeffrey Ptak at the Silhouette Surgical Spa in Scottsdale to learn how you can restore your youthful appearance today.
What is a Brow Lift?
The traditional brow lift that most people likely know of is a surgical procedure that aims to lift, smooth, and tighten the uppermost portion of the face by removing excess skin and repositioning the underlying tissues on the forehead. The procedure could reduce the look of unwanted wrinkles and lift the brows to a higher, more youthful position, but traditional techniques such as the coronal brow lift involve general anesthesia, long incisions and resulting scars, and significant recovery times. Dr Ptak feels this procedure is rarely necessary and can often give an unnatural result.
Best Types of Brow Lift
There are a number of different types of treatments that are labeled as a brow lift and determining which is the best type can be overwhelming. The brow lift technique that Dr. Ptak performs is tailored based on the needs of the patient, but for the most part, he will favor a non-surgical or lateral brow lift approach. We’ve listed information about some of the different types of Brow Lift you may come across:
Lateral Brow Lift - Temporal Brow Lift
Dr. Ptak performs the lateral brow lift, which is sometimes referred to as the temporal brow lift.
The lateral brow lift is a “small-incision” brow lift technique where 1-inch incisions er made near the temple against the hairline. The underlying fat and tissue structures are lifted and tightened to reduce sagging, wrinkling and frown lines along the brow area. Compared to older styles of brow lift, the lateral brow lift is less extensive surgically and focuses on addressing the outer areas of the brow that are most susceptible to the symptoms of aging.
A lateral brow lift is often combined with a eyelid lift and offers shorter recovery times and subtler, natural-looking improvement.
Non-Surgical Brow Lift
Another advanced technique is the non-surgical brow lift. Through his extensive experience and observation, Dr. Ptak is able to use injectable solutions such as dermal fillers, fat grafting and Botox to achieve results comparable to a surgical brow lift. With the non-surgical brow lift, the treatment may be completed in under an hour and involve little recovery.
Endoscopic Brow Lift
This method utilizes a 5mm endoscope that enables Dr. Ptak to get a better view of and access to the entire forehead and brow when removing or ‘thinning’ the muscles that produce frown lines, as well as repositioning the eyebrows to a higher position. The scalp is then fixed to the outer table of the skull with tiny pins and sutures for a very long lasting result.
Although this technique has many benefits, the most notable are the small hairline incisions required to perform the endoscopic brow lift, combined with the longevity of new, lifted position of the brow. You will be able to enjoy your more rested, youthful look for years to come!
The endoscopic procedure replaces the traditional technique, which utilizes an ear-to-ear incision. The traditional technique has the potential to leave a long scar, which is concealed within the patient’s hairline. This technique cannot be used in males or patients with high hairlines.. Forehead numbness is not uncommon with this technique, but sensation usually returns over the weeks following the procedure. Due to its reduced risks, Dr. Ptak prefers to use an endoscope.
Dr. Ptak believes in a very subtle, natural-looking lift that looks as though you never had any work done at all.
Dr. Ptak was one of the first surgeons in Arizona to perform this revolutionary procedure and has successfully performed this brow lift technique on his patients since 1993. For more extensive rejuvenation, he can perform a fat transfer procedure in conjunction with the brow lift to give you a softer, more youthful forehead, temple, and brow contour.
Coronal or Traditional Brow Lift
The traditional or coronal brow lift is a significant surgical procedure where a single incision is made across the top of the forehead from ear to ear. Naturally, this process is more extensive and riskier with a higher potential for visible scarring. The coronal brow lift is rarely if ever recommended since there are a variety of other, more preferable treatment methods that deliver great results with far less impact on the patient.
Procedure Information
For the Endoscopic Brow Lift, the procedure is done on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Several short incisions are placed in the hairline. The operation is done using an endoscope (a narrow instrument with a fiber optic source and camera, and small special instruments). The forehead skin is lifted and repositioned. Very little, if any, scalp or skin is actually removed. The muscles that cause frown lines are weakened. This endoscopic procedure replaces the old technique which uses the usual ear-to-ear incision which leads to a very long scar and significant numbness. The endoscope helps guide the surgeon, who removes (or thins) the muscles that produce frown lines, and repositions the eyebrows at a higher level.
Additional or Alternative Procedures
Depending on your particular case and your desired results, Dr. Ptak may recommend additional procedures to enhance your results. These procedures can be performed in conjunction with the endoscopic brow lift or as stand-alone treatments. During your initial consultation, the doctor will be able to provide you with his best recommendation to help you achieve your aesthetic goals. Some of the procedures that are commonly combined with a brow lift include:
Lower/Upper Eyelid Lift
Eyelid surgery, otherwise known as blepharoplasty, can be performed on the upper or lower eyelids to provide cosmetic enhancement and remove the unwanted signs of aging.
This procedure removed excess skin and tissue from either lid for a more youthful, alert appearance.
This procedure is commonly combined with the endoscopic brow lift procedure to rejuvenate the upper portion of the face completely.
Botox
This treatment is easily paired with a brow lift to provide further age-defying results.
Botox is an injectable that treats dynamic wrinkles on the face. These lines and folds of the skin are caused by the muscles that fire when we make facial expressions, such as smiling and squinting. Through the constant movement of these facial muscles, the overlying skin begins to lose elasticity. Wrinkles begin to form. Botox is comprised of highly diluted botulinum toxin which, when injected, relaxes the facial muscles from overfiring and creating the wrinkle.
Facial Implants
In the case that you are looking to significantly enhance a specific facial feature, such as your cheeks or chin, Dr. Ptak may recommend facial implants. These implants are made of silicone and can safely and effectively provide a significant increase in facial volume, which improves the contour of the face overall.
With some of the newer injection techniques, it is also possible to avoid a surgical implant and achieve similar results with Bellafill, fat, of HA fillers.
During your consultation, the doctor can discuss with you what your implant options are and if this procedure would be beneficial for your needs.
Recovery and Results
Dr. Ptak and our staff understand the importance of feeling comfortable while your body heals, and for this reason, he uses only the latest techniques and technologies to minimize downtime and ensure a rapid recovery. Your specific recuperation timeline depends on the significance of your procedure. Generally, you should refrain from daily activities for one week following your procedure. You may experience swelling and bruising during this time. However, it is completely normal. To help with this concern, we recommend wearing the compression garment continuously during the recovery stage, for roughly ten to fourteen days. You can also help with swelling by keeping your head elevated as much as possible, including at bedtime. Any discomfort that is experienced is manageable with the use of over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol, ibuprofen, or Aleve. If you have any questions or concerns during this time, we ask that you contact our office and speak with one of our helpful members of staff. Our previous brow lift patients have been very satisfied with their results and the lasting rejuvenation it provides.
Here at Silhouette Surgical Spa, we are dedicated to our patients’ satisfaction and ensuring that you receive the results that you desire. Click here or call our office to schedule your one-on-one consultation today!
Postoperative Healing
The patient goes home the same day of surgery with their head wrapped in dressings, which are usually removed on the first or second day after surgery. Initial discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication. Sutures or staples are removed within 10 days. Most swelling and bruising is gone in 7-10 days.
Cost of Brow Lift in Scottsdale
The cost of a brow lift procedure is determined on a case by case basis. The price will depend on the extent of treatment you require and if you opt to combine the brow lift with any additional procedures, such as eyelid surgery. During the consultation, Dr. Ptak will construct a personalized treatment plan to provide you with a brow lift quote based on your exact needs. To obtain your custom quote, please contact Silhouette Surgical Spa. We are happy to schedule a private consultation for you.
Schedule Your Consultation with Dr. Ptak
The first step in the brow lift procedure process is coming in for a consultation with Dr. Ptak. At the time of the appointment, you will discuss with the doctor what your aesthetic concerns are and what expectations you have for the final results. During this time, he will review your medical history and provide you with detailed information regarding the brow lift procedure. Dr. Ptak will then assess your case and determine if this procedure is right for you.
Having performed this procedure hundreds of times, Dr. Ptak has a vast understanding of facial anatomy and can provide you with very natural-looking results. Schedule your private consultation with one of the top plastic surgeons in Scottsdale Arizona, Dr. Jeffrey Ptak, today!