Brow Lift FAQs in Miami, FL

What is a Brow Lift?

As a person ages, the brows descend and can make the upper face seem tired and heavy. A brow lift is a procedure that elevates the aging brows to a give a more youthful appearance to the upper face. A brow lift will not remove the forehead wrinkles, as these are caused by action of the forehead muscle. These wrinkles can be treated with Botox®.

Who is the best candidate for a brow lift?

The ideal candidate for a brow lift is a healthy person whose brows that have descended, giving the brow/upper eyelid area a heavy and tired appearance.

What is an endoscopic brow lift?

A brow lift can be performed by using different techniques, depending on the anatomy of the patient.
An endoscopic brow lift is done through three small incisions on the forehead. A small endoscope is then used to elevate the tissues off the forehead. The brow and forehead are then attached at a new higher level. The advantage of the endoscopic approach is that the incisions are smaller and the recovery is faster. The disadvantage is that heavy and low brows cannot be adequately lifted with this technique.

What is a coronal brow lift?

A coronal brow lift is performed through an open incision on the scalp. The advantage of this technique is that it provides the best and most long-lasting elevation of the brows and forehead. This is all done through an incision that is hidden in the upper part of the scalp. The disadvantage is that the recovery is longer than the endoscopic technique. There is a small risk of hair loss and numbness of the forehead.

What is a hairline brow lift?

A hairline brow lift is performed by making an incision where the hairline begins. The incision is made using a specific pattern so that it will be almost invisible when it heals. The ideal candidate for a hairline brow lift is a patient with low brows and a high forehead. A high forehead makes it very difficult to perform an endoscopic brow lift. Patients with high hairlines are also not good candidates for a coronal brow lift because this procedure elevates the hairline.

What type of anesthesia is used during a brow lift?

If the brow lift procedure is being done alone as a single procedure, IV sedation can be used. If it is being combined with eyelid surgery or with a facelift, either LMA or general anesthesia can be used.

Is a brow lift painful?

Most patients that undergo a brow lift procedure complain of a mild headache for the first few hours after surgery. Pain medication is seldom needed after the night of surgery.

What is the recovery like after a brow lift?

Most patients that undergo a brow lift are able to return to work and normal activity between seven and ten days after the surgery. Patients are seen in the office the day after surgery to remove a light forehead dressing. Bruising is uncommon after the procedure and swelling is usually mild. Patients are then seen again at ten days to remove small stitches placed on the incisions.

Are there scars after a brow lift?

The incisions for the brow lift are all well concealed and are not noticeable, no matter what technique is used.

Is there much pain with a brow lift?

Patients may complain of a slight pressure in the forehead after the brow lift. This typically lasts a few hours and resolves the first night. Pain medication will control the discomfort.

What is the recovery like after a brow lift?

The recovery for the brow lift is rather mild. The surgery is ambulatory, meaning that the patient is allowed to return home the same day of the surgery. The post-operative period is relatively painless, except for a mild pressure in the forehead for about two hours after surgery. The patient returns to Dr. Bustillo’s office in the morning following surgery. Dr. Bustillo will then remove the dressing check the incisions. The patient then returns on the seventh post-operative day for the sutures to be removed. Seventy percent of the swelling resolves in the first week. The remaining thirty percent resolves over the following three weeks. Patients experience little to no bruising after the brow lift procedure.

What are the risks or complications associated with a brow lift?

Complications are rare following a brow lift. These include infection, hair loss, scarring, loss of sensation or inability to elevate the eyebrow, which is usually temporary but can be permanent in rare cases.

How much does a Brow Lift cost?

The cost of a brow lift with Dr. Bustillo can range from $3,500.00 to $4,100.00 depending on the patient’s needs. This includes operating room and anesthesia fees. Dr. Bustillo performs his surgeries in his state-of-the-art certified facility accompanied by board certified anesthesiologists (M.D.) who work for the Baptist Hospital Department of Anesthesiology.

Does insurance cover the cost of a forehead lift?

Procedures performed solely for cosmetic purposes are generally not covered by insurance. If the procedure is performed to correct a sagging forehead or brow that is interfering with vision, some degree of the procedure may be covered by insurance. Patients should check with their own insurance carriers.

Dr. Andres Bustillo specializes in Miami brow lift procedures.