Is a Forehead Lift Painful?

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

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Dr. Shastri will have you come into the practice a week after surgery to monitor your recovery. He will also communicate with you if and when he needs to see you again.

How Long Until I See Results?

Once residual bruising and swelling subside, which may take six to eight weeks, visible results are evident. Healing depends on the type or combination of procedures performed and your ability to heal. The results of a forehead lift are intended to be long-lasting. While a forehead lift can significantly improve 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 had never been performed.

Can I Combine a Forehead Lift With Other Procedures?

Yes, indeed! Many of our patients who have received a forehead lift in Chicago have considered combining it with eyelid surgery or lip lift under the same sedation. If you are considering multiple procedures, please inform Dr. Shastri so he can suggest the best combination for your aesthetic goals and individual medical profile.

What Are the Risks Associated With a Forehead Lift?

Forehead lifts are generally considered safe surgery with a relatively quick recovery time and limited pain. Risks and complications are rare but certainly are possible no matter how experienced a facial plastic surgeon may be. Risks include the following: Bleeding Infection Scarring Need for revision surgery Temporary or permanent loss of sensation to the forehead/scalp If you are experiencing any of these side effects or anything unexpected and concerning about your forehead lift in Chicago, please contact us at KSMD Facial Plastic Surgery at your earliest.

Chicago, IL

Forehead Lift

Introduction

Introduction to Forehead Lift

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. If you are interested in receiving a forehead lift in Chicago, contact double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Karthik Shastri, who can offer you not only this procedure but a list of surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures at KSMD Facial Plastic Surgery with offices in Glenview and the greater Chicago area.

What is a Forehead Lift?

A forehead lift (or brow lift) 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. 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.

Close-up of a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, gazing slightly to the right. She has a serene, thoughtful expression and wears a light beige knitted turtleneck sweater. Her hands rest gently on the sweater, with soft lighting highlighting her face and upper body against a deep black background. The overall mood is calm and elegant. - Forehead Lift in Glenview, IL

What Are the Benefits of a Forehead Lift?

Our patients who have received a forehead lift in Chicago have shared the following benefits from their surgery:

Eliminates the “tired” or “angry’ look
Helps improve vision by opening up your eyes
Improves the appearance of the forehead
Less negative social feedback with a positive-looking expression
Long-lasting results
Reduces the sagging in upper eyelids
Removes excess skin
Reduces or eliminates forehead lines
Youthful rejuvenation in your looks

Who Are the Best Candidates For a Forehead Lift?

A forehead or brow lift is ideal for you if you are looking for a fast and relatively low-risk procedure to rejuvenate your upper face. Some characteristics of ideal candidates are as follows:

Affected facial expressions
Drooping brow line
Maintain realistic expectations
No underlying medical conditions
Non-smokers/ agree to hold off during the procedure
Wrinkled forehead

Consultation and Assessment

What’s the first step?

During your visit, Dr. Shastri will start by asking about your facial anatomy goals. After a thorough analysis, he will discuss how he can help realize your goals while 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 a realistic outcome. Dr. Shastri will take the time to make sure you feel heard and confident about 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 determine a treatment plan that can comprehensively address all of your facial concerns.

What to Expect on the Day of Forehead Lift Surgery

The surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. It may take 1 to 2 hours (and sometimes longer in complex or revision cases).

Dr. Shastri will make well-hidden, small incisions along the hairline. Using an endoscope, the forehead will be gently elevated to minimize the risk of injury to nerves in the forehead/eyebrow region. Small endo tines will keep the brow secured in the desired position, and then the incisions will be 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 afterward.

Forehead Lift Recovery

Recovery varies from person to person and depends on how much work is needed, but generally, healing can be divided into three phases. Patients undergoing forehead lifts are recommended to take one week off of work or school after the procedure. Light work or activity, such as answering emails from home, can start two to three days after the procedure, but give yourself time to rest and recover.

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: After 6 weeks, the majority of swelling from a forehead lift has improved, and the face continues to heal and settle for several months. Results are typically not considered final until one year after surgery.

How Much Does a Forehead Lift Cost in Chicago, IL?

The cost of a Forehead Lift in Glenview and Chicago can vary depending on insurance coverage and the complexity of the surgery. These costs will be discussed during a consultation. 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 before the procedure. Either way, please schedule your initial consultation to gain more information and clarity regarding the pricing of your treatment.

Why Choose KSMD Facial Plastic Surgery?

Double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Karthik Shastri aims to provide his patients with outstanding, natural, long-lasting results based on the most advanced and innovative techniques. He is an excellent choice for your forehead lift in Chicago. Board-certified by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) and the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), Dr. Shastri has published several articles in medical literature and lectured across the country. He remains committed to evidence-based medicine and participates in several multi-institutional research endeavors.

Forehead Lift FAQ’S

Once residual bruising and swelling subside, which may take six to eight weeks, visible results are evident. Healing depends on the type or combination of procedures performed and your ability to heal.

The results of a forehead lift are intended to be long-lasting. While a forehead lift can significantly improve 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 had never been performed.
Forehead lifts are generally considered safe surgery with a relatively quick recovery time and limited pain. Risks and complications are rare but certainly are possible no matter how experienced a facial plastic surgeon may be. Risks include the following:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Scarring
- Need for revision surgery
- Temporary or permanent loss of sensation to the forehead/scalp
If you are experiencing any of these side effects or anything unexpected and concerning about your forehead lift in Chicago, please contact us at KSMD Facial Plastic Surgery at your earliest.

5.0 – 3 Reviews

Mohs Procedure

I had a very minor Mohs procedure about a year ago. It has healed incredibly well and the scar is barely visible (people do not notice it unless I point it out to them). The receptionist at the hospital told me that Dr. Shastri was “phenomenal” and that I was in great hands before my procedure. This was true. As someone else described in a previous review, Dr. Shastri exudes a calm confidence and is gentle. He did an excellent job stitching up my wound and monitoring the scar throughout the healing process. I appreciate his attentiveness; his skillful suturing is like a work of art. I am grateful that I was referred to him by my dermatologist. He is a phenomenal plastic surgeon — both in his work and bedside manner

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Mohs Surgery

Dr. Shastri was very competent at my facial Mohs surgery and thats saying alot, it was major.. His skill is obvious, as more than 15 tiny stitches were virtually painless and will be hard to spot. He was punctual. Clear regarding the procedure. Super bedside manor. Highly recommend him and his staff.

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Skin Cancer

Wonderful! He patiently explained the different types of skins cancers, identified the one I had, then described how he would treat it. He answered all my questions, even the dumb ones. He just exuded a calm competence. For the skin graft, I felt like I’d had the benefit of an artist ad well as a doctor. Mary, the nurse, contributed greatly to making the entire experience positive. The online system for getting an appointment, confirming it and messaging the medical team is complicated, Byzantine, and frustrating, particularly for old guys like me. However it is definitely worth struggling through it. If I could add more stars I would.

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Meet the Doctor

Schedule a Consultation

Consider a forehead lift in Chicago if you are struggling with a drooping forehead and eyebrow. At KSMD Facial Plastic Surgery, we use state-of-the-art techniques to restore the position and shape of the brow, restoring a more natural and youthful appearance. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Shastri as soon as possible.