Forehead Lift in Chicago

What is a

A forehead lift (or browlift) is a surgical procedure intended to elevate and rejuvenate the position of the eyebrows and forehead. Dr. Shastri employs a technique known as an ‘Endoscopic Forehead Lift’, which uses small, minimally-invasive incisions to achieve natural appearing results with less scarring and quicker recovery.
As the face ages, the eyebrows may sag and descend, giving the appearance of a larger forehead with an angrier countenance. Sagging eyebrow skin may also contribute to visual field obstruction in many patients. By elevating the brow and forehead 5-8 mm, patients can obtain a more youthful and friendly appearance and may have improvement of their visual field.

The Consultation

During your visit, Dr. Shastri will start by asking what your goals are regarding your facial anatomy. Following a thorough analysis, he will discuss the ways in which he may be able to help realize your goals while still preserving a natural, balanced facial appearance. Image modification can be done in real time with your photographs to help make sure you are both on the same page about what a realistic outcome may look like. Dr. Shastri will take the time to make sure you feel heard and are confident in the surgical plan.

Forehead lifts can be performed alone, but are often combined with other procedures such as blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), facelifts, neck lifts, and chin implants. During the consultation, Dr. Shastri can review your images and help you to determine a treatment plan which can comprehensively address all of your facial concerns.

In most cases, the surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. The procedure may take anywhere from 1-2 hours (and sometimes longer in complex or revision cases). Dr. Shastri will use well hidden, small incisions along the hairline. The forehead is gently elevated with use of an endoscope to minimize risk of injury to nerves in the forehead/eyebrow region. Small endotines are used to keep the brow secured in the desired position, then the incisions are closed.
At the end of the procedure, a forehead dressing is applied, which can typically be removed 1-2 days after surgery. Patients typically spend 1-2 hours in a recovery room after surgery, and can be taken home after.

Recovery varies from person to person and depends on how much work is needed, but generally healing can be thought of in 3 phases
- Phase 1: A pressure dressing is typically applied to the forehead after surgery, and can be removed at home or in-office 1-2 days later. Patients are given detailed instructions for routine wound care for staples or sutures at the incision sites. Patients are encouraged to take the first week for rest and recovery at home, and typically can return to work after the first week postoperative appointment.
- Phase 2: Gradually, between weeks 2-6 after surgery, swelling and bruising improve; any residual bruising can be easily concealed with makeup during this time. Patients may start to resume exercise and heavy lifting by 3-4 weeks after surgery. By week 6, approximately 75-80% of swelling has resolved.
- Phase 3: While after 6 weeks the majority of swelling from a forehead lift has improved, the face continues to heal and settle for several months. Results are typically not considered final until 1 year out from surgery.

During an endoscopic forehead lift, small incisions along the hairline are used to access and elevate the forehead/eyebrow skin to the desired height. Endotines are placed to secure the forehead in this position, and these small plates dissolve over several months.

How painful is a forehead lift?

Forehead lifts are typically not considered to be very painful. Most patients are able to stop prescription pain medications and use just Tylenol after 2-3 days.

Patients undergoing forehead lift are recommended to take 1 week off of work or school after the procedure. Light work or activity, such as answering emails from home, can start 2-3 days after the procedure, but give yourself time to rest and recover.

Costs of a forehead lift can vary depending on insurance coverage and complexity of the surgery. These costs will be discussed during a consultation.

Yes! If a patient has visual field obstruction related to sagging eyebrow skin, insurance is typically able to cover part of the anesthesia and facility fees for the procedure. Visual field testing can be completed and submitted to insurance companies for authorization prior to the procedure.

Adult patients who have sagging eyebrow/forehead skin and would like to have this elevated either to improve appearance or for visual field improvement may be good candidates for this procedure, regardless of age. Younger patients who have only lateral brow sagging may be good candidates for in-office procedure with fewer incisions (known as a temporal forehead lift)

Results from a forehead lift are intended to be long lasting. It’s important to note that while a forehead lift can provide significant improvements in facial appearance, the aging process will continue and the brow skin may continue to descend over time; however the elevation should always be better than if the procedure was never performed.

Leave us a message

Full Name

Phone Number

Select your procedure

Comment*