Holly,
Forehead lift is a generic term describing the area to be lifted. Endoscopic forehead lift describes the specific technique. In general a forehead lift can be performed via an open technique or endoscopically. The open technique can be performed through incisions above the brow, in the mid-forehead, at the hairline or behind the hairline. The latter three are all good techniques in the right patient, however the latter two have the disadvantage of creating more numbness and possibility for visible scarring. (In the right hands however they work great) We prefer an endoscopic technique for most of our female patients however because the technique offers the advantage of less scarring, less numbness and great results. The endoscopic technique involves making small incisions in the hair that are remote from each other. Through the incisions special curved instruments are passed that allow the brow to be elevated and held in position. There are examples of many endoscopic browlifts as well as some other techniques (in men) on the website. Please take some time to review the photos and give us a call or email for an appointment at your convenience.
Ed Buckingham
Janet,
What you are referring to is a coronal browlift. This procedure is still performed by some surgeons, but is much less popular now. Currently most browlifts are performed using endoscopic techniques. Occasionally open techniques, such as a coronal incision, are still perfomed, but usually with incisions at the front of the hairline not back in the hair as a coronal lift is. We feel the endoscopic technique is superior because the incisions are smaller, the swelling and bruising is less, the risk of scarring is much less, the risk of hairloss is less and the results are reliable and long lasting.
The social recovery for a browlift, ie. the time it takes to get back in the public eye, is 7-10 days. You will still have some swelling at that point, but the bruising and significant swelling will have subsided. The final result from a cosmetic standpoint is 6 weeks to 3 months. The risk of hairloss from an endoscopic browlift is rare and minimal, and in our hands always temporary.
I hope this has answered your questions. Please review our before and after photos and browlift section for more information. We would love to hear from you in person as well.
Ed Buckingham
