Due to a lot of muscle use, the forehead is particularly vulnerable, with the result that the eyebrows hang too low and in the worst case, cause you to have a smaller field of vision due to the skin hanging in the way. Furthermore, smaller or larger wrinkles form on the forehead and between the eyebrows, often called frown lines . Some people feel that they have a sad and heavy appearance, and we often hear about problems with, for example, heavy eyelid skin when they are tired or have drunk a few glasses of wine or the like.
This development can be slowed without surgery, either with injection treatment* or with skin-enhancing measures such as medical skin cream programs and fillers like Restylane.
*) In injection treatment, a prescription drug is used. Patients must therefore be assessed by a doctor before the first treatment. After assessment and approval by our doctor, you can book an appointment directly in online booking.
If the skin has grown too much, it is sometimes necessary to remove skin to get the full effect on the eyebrows and eyelids. Forehead lift has therefore become a relatively common operation. When performing the operation, we have three specific goals:
1) raise the eyebrows and thus reduce the overhang of skin above the eye area
2) remove the “sinter wrinkles” between the eyebrows
3) give a smoother forehead with fewer wrinkles
For many, it's about getting an appearance that is more in line with the age they feel, and a forehead lift can be the solution in the upper third of the face.
The operation
During the operation, the skin on the forehead is loosened so that the eyebrows are raised to the desired level. The “sintegrin” muscles are then removed if this has been agreed upon. By raising the eyebrows, one of two things will then be done; either retaining the skin and suspending it with the help of some mini hooks/threads, or removing the excess skin. The latter is done if the patient wants to keep the hairline in approximately the same place, and then this is done via an incision that goes behind the hairline to hide the scars.
Who can undergo a forehead lift?
Forehead lift is suitable for physically and mentally healthy people who have developed a heavy or wrinkled forehead with low-hanging eyebrows. It is not uncommon for some of those who come with questions about eyelid surgery to consider a forehead lift for the best effect. One should be nicotine-free for at least 2 weeks before and after the surgery. Those with a known increased bleeding tendency should not have surgery. The use of blood-thinning medications must be clarified with our doctor well in advance before the surgery begins.
Your health condition will be carefully reviewed before any surgery and you will receive thorough written information about what to do before and after the surgery. Bald men may in some cases be advised against surgery due to the risk of visible scars.
After the operation
It is important to plan your time after the operation well and, last but not least, it is absolutely necessary for the operation that you follow our instructions carefully. For the first two days, you should stay near the clinic and remain still with your upper body held high. You will be given a head bandage that, together with the stitches, will be removed after 5-6 days. It is common to be blue and swollen in the first 1-2 weeks and it is usually only after about 2 – 3 weeks that you can resume normal social activities again. Harder physical activity can be resumed after 4-6 weeks.
Complications
As with all surgeries, bleeding and infection can occur. This is very rare and will be managed by our surgeon if it does occur. Somewhat more common are side effects such as decreased sensation in the skin that has been lifted. There may also be small areas around the scar where hair does not grow as much as before. This is normally not visible.
We hope that this has answered some of your questions about forehead lifts. Although we provide general information here, we recommend a non-binding consultation with our plastic surgeon for a full understanding of what is right for you. You will also be able to get an analysis of your face and skin and provide comprehensive advice on what can and cannot be done.
The medical director for operations and procedures is plastic surgeon Bjørn Tore Haga.
Welcome to Stavanger Plastic Surgery at Madla!