Endoscopic Brow Lift in Toronto
“Brow Lift” and “Forehead Lift” are terms that are used interchangeably to describe a facial plastic surgery procedure that elevates the eyebrows and rejuvenates the upper portion of the face. An Endoscopic Brow Lift is the modern, state-of-the-art approach to this procedure.
The Brow Lift has been an oft maligned facial rejuvenation procedure. Many potential clients perceive a forehead lift as producing a ‘wide eyed’ or ‘surprised look’, while pointing to particular celebrities as examples of outcomes. Unfortunately, those examples may represent cases of overzealously performed cosmetic surgery, however, many more celebrities have undergone the procedure successfully and are praised for their youthful looks by unknowing fans. One of the advantages of the Endoscopic Brow Lift technique is that over-correction is near impossible, and therefore the risk of an unnatural look is virtually eliminated.
When performed correctly by an experienced board-certified facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Lawrence Tong, in the appropriate candidate, the Endoscopic Brow Lift is in fact, an integral part of periorbital and facial rejuvenation.
The Aesthetically Ideal Brows and Forehead
A youthful forehead has no sag of the forehead or temple skin. At rest, the forehead should be smooth, and there should be no furrows or frown lines between the brows.
The position of the eyebrow should sit slightly above the orbit (eye socket), and the tail of the brow should sit slightly higher than the inner part, before dropping off slightly again at its outermost
portion.
Benefits of a Brow Lift
As the face ages, it droops; this principle applies to the neck, cheeks, and of course, the brow and forehead region.
The main signs of brow/forehead aging are as follows:
- Multiple horizontal wrinkles in the forehead
- Multiple vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows (frown lines)
- Eyebrows that sit low, causing the appearance of excess skin over the eyelids
- Eyebrows that are flat or sloped down and outwards, instead of beautifully arched
An Endoscopic Brow Lift is sometimes thought of as an upper Facelift, and aims to correct signs of aging to the upper face and restore the forehead and brow to a smooth, naturally elevated position for a more youthful appearance.
Who is a Candidate for Brow Lift?
During your consultation, Dr. Tong will make sure that you are a suitable candidate for a Brow Lift.
If you have some or all of the following signs of aging to the upper face, a Forehead Lift is likely to be beneficial:
- Descended brow elevation
- Flattened or outward sloping brow arches
- Multiple lines on the forehead, including furrows, frown lines, and crow’s feet
- Upper eyelid hooding (brow ptosis)
- Excess skin from the brow area coming down over the lids1
Since forehead descent does not typically occur until middle age, patients are usually middle aged or older. However, younger patients may naturally have a low brow position and may be excellent candidates to attain aesthetic improvement with a higher brow position.
In general, plastic surgery patients should also be in good health and be relatively fit. We recommend that smokers quit at least two weeks prior to surgery, and not restart for at least 4 weeks after surgery.
Incisions for Brow Lift
All surgical procedures that involve incisions create scar(s). It is the role of the plastic surgeon to place the incision inconspicuously, and to close the incisions carefully to minimize the appearance of scars.
One of the major advantages of the endoscopic approach vs. the open approach is the length of incisions. Whereas the coronal (traditional) technique means making an incision over the top of the head, from ear to ear, the endoscopic approach requires 3-5 incisions, each typically 2-3 cm in length. The incision sites are hidden within the hairline. These scars tend to heal well and with the presence of your hair, are difficult to see once sufficient healing has occurred. No hair is shaved during the surgery, so there are not ‘bald’ areas afterwards.
Preparing for Your Endoscopic Brow Lift
Your private plastic surgery consultation with Dr. Tong is an essential part of preparing for your Endoscopic Brow Lift. Here, you will have Dr. Tong’s undivided attention as you discuss your cosmetic goals. Dr. Tong will make sure you feel fully educated about the Brow Lift procedure so that you feel confident in your decision to undergo cosmetic surgery.
Before your Endoscopic Brow Lift surgery day, a member of our team will give you detailed pre-surgical instructions. At this time, you will also receive detailed instructions and expectations for the recovery period.
The Endoscopic Brow/Forehead Lift Procedure
Your Brow Lift can be performed under IV sedation anesthesia or general anesthesia. You are not required to stay overnight after the procedure. Dr. Tong performs your surgery in the private CPSO accredited surgery centre, at 7 St. Thomas Street, Toronto.
Dr. Tong makes three small incisions behind the hairline centrally, while another small incision is made at each temple. Through these small incisions, the endoscopic instruments are inserted under the skin. The skin and muscles of the forehead are freed from the strong attachments that prevent them from being elevated. Dr. Tong weakens the muscles that cause brow furrows (the corrugators muscles). The forehead skin is then elevated to obtain a naturally positioned brow arch, with emphasis on lifting of the lateral brow. The lift also elevates the skin around the temple to minimize lax skin in the lateral periorbital region. Dr. Tong secures and anchors the position of the forehead with special sutures and the endoscope incisions are closed. Once he places a light dressing you will be gently awakened from anesthesia.2
Recovery after Brow Lift
Brow Lift Recovery Immediately after Surgery
After your Brow Lift (Forehead Lift), you are brought to the post-anesthesia recovery room, and our nurses watch over you. Once the effects of anesthesia wear off, you are allowed to go home, accompanied by your friend or family member. You will have a head dressing when you go home.
Brow Lift Recovery at Home
We encourage you to relax once at home following your plastic surgery procedure. You may do non-strenuous activities such as making meals, watching television, and reading. Expect to have bruising and swelling around the eyes. It is not uncommon to have some significant nausea in the initial 12-24 hours after surgery. This is related to the fact that the forehead feels quite tight following surgery, which can cause the feeling of nausea. Dr. Tong uses a long acting anesthetic that is injected at the end of the procedure to help minimize the nausea. Despite this, some people will still have some nausea during the initial 24 hours. You may remove the dressing the next morning, and begin to wash your hair and take showers. Patients are encouraged to sleep with their back/head propped up to decrease swelling.
Return Visits after Forehead Lift
At one week after surgery, you will see Dr. Tong again to remove sutures. Most patients return to work (non-strenuous) after 10-14 days, although you may do so earlier if you do not mind the visible bruising. Dr. Tong will inform you of activity restrictions. Light exercise (e.g. walking) is permitted at 2 weeks after surgery. Strenuous activity (weight lifting, sports, aerobics, jogging, yoga, Pilates, etc.) may generally be started at 4-6 weeks after surgery.
Things to Expect as you Heal from Brow Lift Surgery
Immediately after your Brow LIft, you may notice that the brows look higher than anticipated. This is normal, as we expect settling of the brow position due to gravity, and the forehead skin to stretch with time. You will have subsequent visits to monitor your progress at 6 weeks, and 6 months after surgery, at which time postoperative photos will be taken
Like any procedure, Brow Lift surgery has risks and complications associated with it. The risks are low, but do exist. At your consultation, Dr. Tong will go over the pertinent potential risks and complications associated with Endoscopic Brow Lift.
Your Brow Lift Consultation
Do your research before making a decision about your plastic surgery and plastic surgeon. The initial Brow Lift consultation may take over one hour to complete. There is a great deal of information to be presented, and Dr. Tong will make sure that you understand all the important aspects of the Forehead Lift procedure. During your consultation, you will have the opportunity to view photographs of many examples of Dr. Tong’s work as well as testimonials from his patients. It is our goal to make you an educated patient. We know that the educated patient will make a better choice about their surgery, and their surgeon.
To learn more about how Dr. Tong can help you with your forehead and facial rejuvenation concerns, set up a Toronto Forehead Lift consultation with Dr. Tong by giving us a call at (647) 492-0648. No doctor’s referral is needed. Alternatively, let us give you a call; just fill out our contact form and we will call you on the same or the next business day.
See Dr. Tong’s work in our Brow Lift before and after photos.
Endoscopic Brow Lift at a Glance
- Elevating the inner brow too much (surprised look)
- Patients often need Blepharoplasty in conjunction with Brow Lift, make sure your plastic surgeon evaluates this
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Brow Lift be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Aging of the upper lids and brow often occur in tandem; this combination synergistically worsens the appearance around the eyes. Endoscopic Brow Lift, together with Blepharoplasty (lower or upper eyelid surgery), is often performed simultaneously for optimal aesthetic improvement.
For even more thorough facial rejuvenation, some of Dr. Tong’s patients choose to combine their Brow/Forehead lift with a Facelift or non-surgical treatments such as BOTOX or injectables. During your consultation with Dr. Tong, he will help you understand all options available to you.
How is a Brow Lift different from Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty?
Patients often mistakenly think a Blepharoplasty will lift the brows; these patients are in fact looking for the results that a Brow Lift provides.
Conversely, some patients believe that a brow lift will correct excess skin of the upper eyelids. While there may be some indirect improvement to upper lid skin when performing a brow lift, the improvement is generally insufficient to fully correct the excess skin. Put more succinctly: a Brow Lift or Forehead Lift best corrects a sagging brow and forehead, while a blepharoplasty best corrects sagging lids. In many cases, these patients would benefit from both upper lid Blepharoplasty and Brow Lift.
What is the difference between an Endoscopic Brow Lift and a traditional Brow Lift?
The endoscopic technique is an advanced method of Forehead Lift that allows for minimal incisions, fewer risks, and shorter recovery time, as compared to the traditional (open) Brow LIft. In some patients, an open Brow Lift may be a more appropriate option. Patients wanting a Brow Lift who wish to simultaneously elevate an excessively low hairline, or lower an excessively high hairline, may opt for the open Coronal Brow Lift technique. Dr. Tong will discuss the different brow lift techniques for upper face rejuvenation with you during your consultation.
Are Brow Lifts just for women?
No. Dr. Tong has performed the Endoscopic Brow Lift procedure on a number of men. He is keenly aware of differing brow aesthetics between genders, and customizes his surgical technique to achieve optimal results for all patients.
Am I too young for a Brow Lift?
There is no “right” age for an Endoscopic Brow Lift. While the average Brow Lift patient is between the ages of 40 and 603, Dr. Tong has performed this plastic surgery procedure on younger patients who feel that they are aging prematurely or who have a family history of early aging to the forehead and/or upper face.
1 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What is a brow lift? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/brow-lift. Accessed May 25, 2021.
2 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What are the steps of a brow lift procedure? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/brow-lift/procedure. Accessed May 25, 2021.
3 John Hopkins Medicine. Brow Lift. Available: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/forehead-lift. Accessed August 23, 2023
Dr. Lawrence Tong has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.