Brow Lift in Asheville, NC

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As we age, it is common for the brow to begin drooping, which is a condition known as brow ptosis. This can affect the appearance of the eyelids and the eyes. If the eyelids are curtains, the brows are the curtain rods. Because of this, brow ptosis often contributes to droopy eyelids.
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A droopy brow is one of the most common reasons patients come to seek Dr. Choe’s expertise as an oculoplastic surgeon. When patients complain about a droopy brow, it can be due to eyelid ptosis or brow ptosis. Most patients have a combination of these factors that cause a droopy look to the brow and eyes, but an evaluation can help determine which components will need to be addressed.

In addition to affecting one’s appearance and vision, brow position is very important for expression and thus affects the impression one’s face gives off. Brow ptosis can make someone look angry, sad, mean, anxious, or worried. In contrast, brow lift surgery can make someone look bright, happy, and interested or curious.
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What Is a Brow Lift?

A brow lift, or forehead lift, is a surgery that is performed to elevate the position of the brows, which often improves the appearance of eyelids and can transform the impression that one’s face gives off. In some cases, it may also help patients see better. When patients develop a droopy brow, it can push down the skin of the eyelid onto the eyelashes, causing shadowing and darkening along the upper part of a patient’s peripheral vision. After surgery, patients may notice increased brightness and increased field of view.

Why Choose a Brow Lift?

Because the brows frame the eyes, they are just as if not more important to the aesthetic of the eyes as the eyelids themselves. Brows provide the wow! When you work with a board-certified surgeon, some of the benefits of a brow lift can include:
  • Tightening loose skin and restoring a droopy forehead
  • Smoothing away wrinkles and fine lines
  • Creating a more alert and youthful expression
  • Improving facial symmetry
  • Natural-looking results
  • Readily combined with other facial plastic surgery

How Does Dr. Choe Approach a Brow Lift?

There are many approaches for brow lift including direct, pretrichial (or hairline), and endoscopic brow lift using small incisions and a flexible camera. In her quest to find the ideal brow lift technique, Dr. Choe has tried them all. Doing multiple brow lifts a year has allowed her to perfect her preferred technique and how she aims to achieve the aesthetic brow position. Many fear brow lifts may make them look surprised or unnatural. But Dr. Choe is well versed on the natural aesthetic position of the brow and respects the natural differences in shape and position for men versus women. Infamously, after a patient did a blepharoplasty and brow lift with Dr. Choe, she commented “you gave me back the eyes I had when I was 15.” Dr. Choe will make a recommendation based on your goals, anatomy, and budget and customize the surgery to you.

Is a Brow Lift Right for Me?

Candidates for brow lift surgery will want to address signs of aging from just above the eyebrows to the hair line. While a brow lift can provide some benefits for the eye area, we also provide eyelid surgery for patients wanting to specifically address eyelid concerns (like droopy eyelids). By starting with a consultation with Dr. Choe, patients can have a one-on-one meeting to discuss their goals and learn about the best options available. Together, you and your surgeon can create a tailored plan that addresses each of your concerns, with every element optimized to create the look you want.

Additionally, important qualities for a candidate include:

  • Being in overall good health (including no current skin infections or injuries on the forehead)
  • Having a healthy outlook and readiness for open communication with your surgeon
  • Currently not using tobacco products, as smoking can interfere with recovery and increase your risk of complications
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What Is a Brow Lift Like?

This is an outpatient surgery (you may go home the same day). To perform this surgery, skin markings will be made, and local anesthesia will be injected around the sites to be operated on (typically experienced as a pinch and a burn). An incision (cut) is made into the forehead and/or scalp. An effort is made to make the incisions blend as much as possible into existing lines of the forehead and/or hidden within the hairline or hair.

What Is the Recovery Like After a Brow Lift?

Patients can typically expect a straightforward process during their recovery. Dr. Choe provides comprehensive and clear instructions for how to care for yourself and the surgical sites while your body heals. Additionally, she sees patients for follow-up visits to ensure the incisions are healing well and provide additional information as needed. Though each patient’s timeline will vary according to their body’s healing rate, a typical experience looks like the following:
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  • Week 1: This initial period involves downtime (taking time off from strenuous physical activity). Taking time off from work may also be recommended, depending on the nature of your work and how self conscious you are about appearing swollen and bruised. There will be some swelling, bruising, and discomfort, but the majority of patients can manage this with over-the-counter medication. Most of the swelling and bruising should fade in 2–3 weeks.
  • Week 2: You can return to light physical activity. Continue to care for the incision sites and avoid strenuous activity, smoking, and excess alcohol.
  • Week 3 & Beyond: Based on your follow-up visits, Dr. Choe can give you information on when to gradually return to your full routine. She will continue to closely monitor your healing process and address any issues that may pop up in your healing journey.

When Will I See the Results?

Initial results can be seen after about 2 weeks once the majority of swelling and bruising have faded. After this, you can gradually see your final results become apparent as residual swelling fades. The skin and tissues should fully settle into their final state after a few months. Following that, your brow lift results should last for years.

Book Your Consultation Visit

Rediscover an alert and youthful appearance through a tailored brow lift procedure with Dr. Choe. You can schedule your consultation by calling her office or using the online form on our website.
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