Types of brow lift
Read more about brow lift procedures at our Brow Lift Overview page.
There are several surgical methods to elevate the eyebrows to a youthful, attractive position. Four of the more commonly used procedures are the coronal, trichophytic, temporal, and endoscopic brow lift. Each method has particular advantages and disadvantages. The method should be chosen based on the particular anatomy and aesthetic desires of the individual patient. The different methods will be described below.
Coronal Brow Lift
The coronal brow lift is the classic form of brow lifting in which an incision is made behind the hairline, in the scalp. Skin is removed from the hair-baring portion of the scalp and the brows and hairline are elevated. This approach has advantages of hiding the incision in the scalp and in general having the longest lasting effects. Disadvantages include raising the hairline. For some patients, a long incision in the scalp is an emotional disadvantage.
Coronal Brow Lift
Incision is placed behind the hairline. This technique
elevates the eyebrows, smoothes the forehead, and elevates the hairline about half an inch.
Trichophytic (Hairline) Brow Lift
The trichophytic, or hairline brow-lift is a modification of the coronal lift in which the incision is placed directly in the hairline in a wavy fashion, camouflaging the incision. Skin is removed from the non-hair-baring portion of the forehead. The brows are elevated while the hairline is not. The approach shares the long lasting approach of the coronal lift and has the advantage of not raising the hairline. This approach is not as advantageous in men who have a high likelihood of male pattern hairloss which would eventually reveal the scar.
Trichophytic (Hairline) Brow Lift
Incision is placed within the hairline. This technique
elevates the eyebrows, and smoothes the forehead. The hairline is not elevated.
Temporal Brow Lift
The temporal brow lift is a procedure in which smaller incisions are made in the temple region of the forehead and scalp. Most of the incision is hidden in the scalp with a small portion placed on the side of the forehead. This approach has the advantage of being a smaller procedure requiring less dissection. The disadvantages are the reduced duration of effects, lasting 3-4 years, only the outer portion of the brow is elevated, the part of the eyebrows close to the nose is not elevated. There may be a small scar on the side of the forehead. This approach is an option in older patients with deep forehead wrinkles who wish to avoid the extensive dissection of a coronal or trichophytic brow lift.
Temporal Brow Lift
Incision is placed on the side of forehead, predominantly within hair-baring scalp. Some of incision may extend to non-hair-baring skin. This technique elevates the outer portion of the eyebrow.
Endoscopic Brow Lift
The endoscopic brow lift is a procedure elevating the brow without excising any skin. Several small incisions are made behind the hairline, the skin of the forehead is repositioned and secured in an elevated position using a telescope and specialized instruments. This approach has the advantages of small incisions hidden in the scalp. Disadvantages include the elevation of the hairline and the transient nature of the procedure which is usually 1-3 years. This procedure is a good option for patient in their mid to late 30's with minimal brow ptosis.
Endoscopic Brow Lift
Multiple small incisions are placed behind the hair line. Little or no skin is excised. The brows and forehead skin are elevated using telescopes and telescopic instrumentation. After elevation, the forehead skin is stabilized in an elevated position.
Chemical Brow Lift (Non-Surgical)
BOTOX® Cosmetic may be used to elevate the eyebrows non-surgically. BOTOX® Cosmetic is placed in the muscles which depress the eyebrows. These muscles are temporarily relaxed, allowing the eyebrows to elevate 1-2mm. The elevation will last 3-4 months. This is a good option for patients desiring cosmetic improvement without a surgical procedure.
Chemical Brow Lift
Thread-Lift
The thread-lift is another non-surgical method to lift drooping skin. This is a newly developed technique. The effects are reported to be 50-60% of the effects of a surgical procedure. As the technique has been newly developed, long-term data is not yet available.
