Drooping eyebrows are a common sign of aging that affects almost everyone. The eyes are a prominent facial feature that plays a critical role in how we are perceived. Drooping eyebrows often suggest fatigue or unhappiness, even if we feel fine on the inside.  

The understanding of brow aging has improved over the last 10-20 years. It turns out that the inner part of the brow and the central part of the brow really don’t change much with age. They can even get higher in some cases. The aesthetic problem is that the outer portion of the brow does descend with age and results in a tired, aging brow shape, where the outer tip of the brow is well below the inner corner.

The lateral brow lift is a safe and effective plastic surgical procedure to elevate the outer portion of the brow relative to the inner portion to create a more youthful brow shape, even if the inner portion of the brow is not elevated.

Here are a few things that you need to know about the lateral brow lift:

What is a lateral brow lift?

A lateral brow lift involves raising the outer portion of the eyebrows to reduce the signs of aging. As a result, the amount of overhanging skin in your upper eyelid is reduced and you get a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance. 

The incisions for the procedure can be made at the hairline or within the hair depending on the thickness of the hair, skin type, and patient preference. You might think that incisions within the hair would be preferable, and in some cases they are, but they always leave a small scar and often a small area of hair loss. If the hair is thick, that’s of no concern, but it is not ideal if the hair is thin and blonde or grey. In addition, this approach pulls the hairline away from the brow, increasing the height of the forehead. The incision at the hairline, on the other hand, is more visible in the short term before it fades away, but it avoids the disadvantages of the incision within the hair.

A lateral brow lift can be performed under local anesthesia but is often performed under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia if it is combined with other facial procedures.  It usually takes about 2 weeks before the patient is completely back to unrestricted normal activities.  

Lateral brow lifts are often performed together with eyelid surgery, but they can also be performed alone.

What are the benefits of lateral brow lift surgery? 

The benefits of a lateral brow lift surgery are as follows:

• It turns out that brow shape is more important than brow height, and the procedure gives the face a refreshed, rejuvenated, and overall youthful and vibrant look.
• It has minimal downtime as it is an outpatient procedure. 
• The scarring is minimal.
• It gives long-lasting results when performed by an experienced plastic surgeon 

Who is a good candidate for a lateral brow lift?

Any person over 18 years of age with drooping eyebrows is a good candidate for the lateral brow lift procedure but is most commonly performed in patients in their 50’s and older.

Consult a plastic surgeon

A lateral brow lift may be the ideal solution to achieving a youthful and aesthetically welcoming look. It is important to seek advice from an experienced plastic surgeon who can advise you regarding your options and address any concerns that you have.

Dr. Charles Thorne is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City who has cared for patients with facial aging for his 30 years career. Get an online appointment with Dr. Thorne and determine whether a lateral brow lift can help you.