Brow Lift with Dr. Kian Eftekhari

Gravity is a tireless worker all across our bodies, but in some areas its effects are more evident than others. Take our brows, for instance. Gravity and sagging skin and support muscles can cause our forehead skin and our brows to descend. As if this wasn’t enough on its own, these changes can give the appearance that we’re either perpetually tired, sad, or angry. Who needs that?

Fortunately, Dr. Kian Eftekhari specializes in ending the misperceptions by performing forehead lift surgery for his Salt Lake City patients. A forehead, or brow lift addresses the sagging, elevates the support muscles, removes wrinkles, and makes other changes to rejuvenate the upper third of the face.

What is a brow lift?

Also sometimes called a forehead lift, a brow lift focuses solely on the forehead and the brows. The goal is to reverse the sagging that has bunched the skin around the brows above the eyes. Dr. Eftekhari removes or alters the muscles above the eyes to smooth lines, raise the eyebrows, and bring the tissues back up. The end result is a much improved, more alert, younger look.

Who is are the Ideal Candidates for a Brow Lift?

Endoscopic brow lift

Most of our Salt Lake City direct brow lift patients are between the ages of 40 and 65 with sagging brows and noticeable aging on their forehead skin. This surgery aims to elevate the brows, especially to accentuate the natural arch of the brow. This procedure can also erase the lines and creases on the forehead, and improve any hooding above the eyes.

Genetics can play a role in how your brows age. Some people simply are prone to more sagging and drooping in this area. And this can make people think you’re either really tired, sad, or mad most of the time. If you get asked about those things, a brow lift could be a great procedure.

How is a brow lift performed?

The development of the endoscope has really changed these procedures. Dr. Eftekhari performs all four different type of brow lift procedures. He tailors his approach to each individual person’s anatomy. The four types of forehead and direct brow lifts at our Salt Lake City clinic are: transblepharoplasty (within the eyelid crease incisions), direct (above the eyebrow), endoscopic (hidden behind the hairline), trichophytic (at the hairline). The endoscopic lift makes for a markedly easier recovery and minimal scarring. But for some patients, this method doesn’t allow enough tissue repositioning and trimming, and a hairline pre-trichial method may be necessary. He will discuss which option is right for you during your consultation.

Transblepharoplasty

The simplest type of brow surgery is through an eyelid crease incision, and this can restore the proper position of the brow tissues for patients with mild hooding. Our Salt Lake City transblepharoplasty procedure can be done while also doing an eyelid lift upper blepharoplasty, or as a standalone procedure. There is no additional incision and it can be done in the office.

Direct brow lift

Our Salt Lake City direct lift procedure involves an incision right above the brow hairs. This can be a powerful lift and can be done in the office. Because of the thick skin above the brow hairs, scar appearance can be less predictable with this procedure than an endoscopic or pre-trichial lift.

Endoscopic brow lift

Endoscopic brow liftThis has become the go-to method for brow lifts. Dr. Eftekhari makes two to four short incisions behind the patient’s hairline. An endoscope, a tiny instrument with a camera on the end, is inserted into one of the incisions to provide visuals. This eliminates the need to pull away the entire brow skin from the support tissues to gain visual access. Dr. Eftekhari then inserts tools into the other incisions to manipulate the skin and muscles. Because of the small incisions, there is no visible scar with an endoscopic lift. This is an excellent procedure to achieve a rejuvenated, natural brow shape without visible scars.

Pre-Trichial (Hairline) brow lift

The hairline approach to brow lift is an excellent, powerful procedure that restores a youthful natural appearance. Dr. Eftekhari hides the incision just at the front of the hairline. The skin is lifted and this can restore the proper shape and arch of the brow and eliminate forehead wrinkles.

What is the Recovery from a Brow Lift?

Endoscopic brow liftThe initial part of your recovery is the most important, and for most patients the most tedious. For the first two or three days following your procedure, you’ll have to keep your head elevated at all times, even when sleeping. You’ll have bruising and swelling. This can migrate down into your cheeks and around your eyes. This should run its course in a week to 10 days.

Recovery is a little different depending on the method Dr. Eftekhari uses. There will be some discomfort and numbness along the long incision with a pre-trichial lift. Endoscopic brow lifts involve less numbness and itching along the incisions because a single continuous incision is not used.

Most patients can return to work within about 10 days, but strenuous exercise and heavy lifting that puts strain onto your face needs to be avoided for two weeks. 

Are There Risks Involved in a Brow Lift Procedure?

The risks are the same as with any surgery: excessive bleeding, poor wound healing, reaction to anesthesia, and possible infection, but these are very rare with this procedure. The main side effect is possible numbness across the forehead due to the repositioning of the tissues. This usually passes as the nerves adjust. Itching along the incision is standard, but it also passes within a few months. Rarely, nerve injury can occur.

How long will my results from my brow lift last?

Endoscopic brow lift

The changes made by Dr. Eftekhari are long-lasting for the pre-trichial lift and the endoscopic lift. Of course, since gravity is everpresent, your brows will continue to age, and there may be some future sagging. For patients concerned about recurrence, Dr. Eftekhari recommends a consistent regimen of BoTox treatment to prevent aggressive contraction of the forehead muscles. Our goal is to give you a natural, refreshed appearance to carry with you for many years.

Will a Forehead Lift Procedure Leave Scars?

If Dr. Eftekhari is able to use the endoscopic method for your surgery, your scarring will only consist of two to four very small incisions hidden in your hair. If he needs to use the pre-trichial incision, he hides it within the hairline as much as possible.

Dr. Eftekhari is an excellent doctor! I would absolutely recommend him to family and friends. He was very thorough in explaining everything and took the time to answer all my questions. His staff is also excellent. It was an all around great experience!” – E.O.

Schedule Your Brow Lift Consultation Today!

Interested in learning more about a brow lift/forehead lift? Call Dr. Kian Eftekhari at (801) 685-3398 to schedule your consultation today! Eyelid Center of Utah is located in Downtown Salt Lake City, Draper, and Park City Utah.