A low or sagging brow can make the upper face look tired, stern, or older than you feel. Brow lift surgery raises descended forehead tissue, repositions the eyebrows, and can soften forehead creases for a more rested appearance. At Ronald H. Schuster, MD - Plastic Surgery & Skincare, we include this procedure among our facial plastic surgery options for patients throughout the Baltimore, Maryland, area.
Ronald H. Schuster, MD is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has nearly three decades of experience in plastic surgery. His background in facial procedures helps him evaluate the relationship between the forehead, eyebrows, eyelids, and hairline when planning treatment. You can also view our brow lift before-and-after gallery to see examples of patient results.
Who Is a Candidate for a Brow Lift?
A brow lift can help when genetics or aging have caused the forehead and eyebrows to descend. Concerns commonly include:
- Heavy or hooded upper eyelids
- A low or drooping brow
- Vertical frown lines between the eyebrows
- Horizontal forehead wrinkles
Raising the brow can open the upper eye area and create a less tired appearance. In some cases, muscles that contribute to prominent frown lines can also be treated.
Brow position is especially important when evaluating hooding above the eyes. What looks like excess eyelid skin may actually be related partly to a low eyebrow, so examining both areas helps determine which procedure is most useful.
Brow Lift Techniques Used by Dr. Schuster
Dr. Schuster chooses the surgical method after evaluating your forehead height, hairline, skin quality, degree of descent, and the changes you want to make. Whether another facial procedure is planned at the same time can also influence the technique.
Endoscopic Brow Lift
An endoscope is a small instrument equipped with a camera and light. It is inserted through several short incisions hidden in the hair behind the hairline, allowing Dr. Schuster to view the surgical area on a monitor.
The hair does not need to be shaved. Because the openings are smaller, this method can also limit visible scarring and may reduce the likelihood of prolonged numbness or hair loss compared with a traditional open incision.
Open Brow Lift
An open brow lift uses a longer incision and is reserved for patients whose facial anatomy makes this method more useful. It can be particularly helpful when brow descent occurs along with a high forehead or hairline.
The incision is placed along the front of the hairline and extends into the hair at the temples. This allows the hairline to be lowered while the eyebrows are raised.
Combined Technique
Some patients are better served by a limited-incision method incorporating elements of both techniques. Rather than using the same operation for everyone, Dr. Schuster selects the method according to the changes present in your upper face.
Preparing for Brow Lift Surgery
Our team will give you detailed instructions before your procedure. During the two weeks leading up to surgery, you may be asked to:
- Complete your preoperative examination and required blood work
- Arrange your postoperative visit
- Have a responsible adult drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours
- Stop aspirin and aspirin-containing medications as directed
- Take any supplements recommended by our office
- Tell us if you develop a cold or other illness
It also helps to prepare your home ahead of time. Fill prescriptions, have simple meals available, and gather any supplies recommended for recovery. Hair coloring, styling products, and certain salon treatments will be restricted for a period afterward, so plan those services in advance.
Follow the cleansing, eating, and drinking instructions from our office the evening before surgery.
What to Expect on Surgery Day
Follow all directions regarding food and beverages before arriving for your procedure. Avoid makeup, lipstick, jewelry, wigs, hairpins, and hairpieces, and wear loose clothing that is easy to put on and remove.
If you smoke, carefully follow the restrictions provided before and after surgery because smoking can interfere with healing.
Brow Lift Recovery
You will receive written aftercare guidance and contact information in case questions arise at home. Early recovery generally involves keeping your head elevated, avoiding bending and heavy lifting, and getting up periodically to walk.
Dr. Schuster will see you after surgery to check your progress and remove bandages or stitches when appropriate. Once cleared, you can shower and gently wash your face while keeping creams and hair products away from the incisions.
Daily activity returns gradually. Current postoperative instructions generally allow patients to increase activity after about two weeks, while most exercise is postponed for approximately four weeks.
Bruising often begins fading after about seven days. Swelling usually starts to decrease around the two-week mark and may continue improving for several months. Temporary scalp numbness can persist longer. Incisions are initially red but tend to become less noticeable as they mature.
Why Choose Ronald H. Schuster, MD, for Brow Lift Surgery in Baltimore?
Successful upper-face rejuvenation depends on more than simply raising the eyebrows. The forehead, eyelids, hairline, and surrounding tissues all influence how a brow lift will look.
Dr. Schuster completed general surgery training at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore followed by plastic surgery residency and fellowship training at Washington University’s Barnes Hospital. His facial surgery background also includes research into blood supply during different facelift techniques, work that earned a Certificate of Excellence from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
That experience informs how he approaches brow surgery today. Forehead height, hairline placement, skin quality, and the degree of descent all factor into whether an endoscopic, open, or combined method is selected.
Brow Lift FAQs
Schedule a Brow Lift Consultation in Baltimore
If a low or heavy brow is affecting the appearance of your upper face, a consultation can help determine whether the concern comes from the eyebrows, eyelids, or both. Schedule a consultation with Ronald H. Schuster, MD, at our Lutherville-Timonium office serving Baltimore, Towson, Owings Mills, and surrounding communities, or call 410-902-9800. Virtual consultations are also available for patients outside the area.
*Individual results may vary.
