Over the course of time, the eyebrows start to droop through the effects of aging. This drooping may be accompanied with deep frown lines and/or forehead wrinkles, which can give you an angry or grumpy expression. An endoscopic forehead lift can lift the forehead and eyebrows, so that you look more youthful and well-rested.

Unlike with conventional forehead lifts, in which an incision is made from ear to ear, an endoscopic forehead lift only entails making 3 to 5 small incisions in the scalp.

It should be noted that a forehead lift does not remedy drooping eyelids. For this reason, an endoscopic forehead lift is often combined with an eyelid correction. There are a number of factors and features that determine what you look like, such as your age, the shape of your face, your eyes and your forehead. During the consultation, all aspects relating to the future appearance of your face will be discussed.

Most people considering an endoscopic forehead lift find that their facial features no longer correspond to how they feel. So they look for a solution to appear fresher and less tired. If you are not satisfied with the appearance of your forehead, eyelids or eyebrows, as they make you look older or grumpier, then an endoscopic eyebrow lift would be a suitable treatment for you. An endoscopic forehead lift is often combined with a correction of the upper eyelids.

Plastic surgeon

The consultation is always held with the plastic surgeon who will be carrying out your procedure.
During this consultation, you can discuss what bothers you the most about the appearance of your eyebrows and what you would like to have changed. The plastic surgeon will take down your medical history and examine your face. During this examination, they will assess your bone structure, the underlying skin structure, and the thickness, texture and elasticity of your skin. They will then suggest the most suitable surgical technique for you. In front of a mirror, they will show you what this technique entails and what you can expect in terms of end results. Photos will be taken for your medical file and the recovery period, and any risks and complications will be discussed with you.

The plastic surgeon will show you before and after photos of endoscopic forehead lift procedures they have previously performed, and you will then have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have. A summary of your consultation will then be set out in a treatment plan, and the overall costs will be discussed with you directly. The aim of the consultation is to inform you as clearly and fully as possible.

Additional treatment

In some cases, the plastic surgeon may recommend an additional procedure. An endoscopic forehead lift is often combined with an eyelid correction, to bring the face into balance. Any additional procedures, such as an eyelid correction or facelift, can be carried out at the same time as an endoscopic forehead lift.

Consultants

Following on from your first consultation with your plastic surgeon, you will have an appointment with your consultant. The aim of this appointment is to tell you about the general aspects to be arranged with respect to your endoscopic forehead lift.

You are expected to arrive at the Boerhaave clinic half an hour before your treatment. 

An endoscopic forehead lift is performed under general anaesthetic. After a couple of houres you are free to go home, accompanied by another adult.

Before the operation, your plastic surgeon will again talk the surgical procedure through with you. They will carefully mark your forehead in accordance with the operation plan. The anaesthetist will then anaesthetise you. Around 3 to 5 small incisions are made in your scalp above the hairline. The plastic surgeon will then insert an endoscope (with a small camera at one end) via one of the incisions and a brow elevator scope via another incision. The treatment is carried out using an endoscope and watching a monitor screen. State-of-the-art instruments are used to loosen the skin of the forehead from the underlying tissue. It is then possible to lift the eyebrows or smooth out the frown lines between the eyebrows. The wound area remains really small, so it heals more quickly. The skin is fixed in place using Tisseel tissue glue or small screws.
At the end of the procedure, which takes 1 to 1½ hours depending on the technique applied, the incisions are stitched up. No bandages are applied. Because the incisions are so small, the time taken for them to heal is much shorter, and scarring is minimal.
In many cases, people undergoing an endoscopic forehead lift also opt to have an eyelid correction, facelift, fine wrinkle treatment or double chin liposculpture at the same time.

You may have some swelling and bruising after your endoscopic forehead lift. For the first 2 days after the procedure, you can speed up the natural recovery process by cooling your face and sleeping with an extra pillow at night to raise your head. Swelling and bruising will usually be worse in the first 3 days after the procedure, and will then gradually start to disappear.

Recovery

As with every surgical procedure, the body takes time to recover. Swelling and fluid may build up around your eyelids. You shouldn’t worry about this, as it is your body’s natural reaction. The skin of your forehead will feel hard for a couple of weeks. This is because the layers of tissue are adhering together and scars are forming. The skin may sometimes be quite sensitive. This is a normal reaction to the procedure and will gradually return to normal. The stitches will dissolve and swelling and bruising will gradually subside.

After care

Our staff do their utmost to achieve the best possible results for you, and the same applies for care after your procedure. You also play a very important role in this process. It is therefore important that you follow the instructions you have been given after your endoscopic forehead lift.

Scar cream

At your first check-up, you will be given a scar care cream to take home with you. Once the wound has closed and the scabs have disappeared, you can start applying the scar cream. If you apply this cream to the closed wound twice a day, you increase the chance of the wound healing nicely.

Because the healing process takes a while, you will have to wait a couple of weeks before you get a good idea of the final results. Small changes may continue to take place in the months following your procedure. You will be able to see the final results of your operation 6 months after your treatment.

The endoscopic forehead lift will give you a more open and refreshed appearance. Your tired and grumpy look will have disappeared. Most patients are surprised and pleased with the results, especially if their expectations are realistic. The endoscopic forehead lift is also referred to as an “opening of the face”. With younger people in particular, who come across as tired or angry because of a low forehead or deep frown lines, an endoscopic forehead lift can reduce the shame or embarrassment they may feel as a result.

Gravity and the ongoing process of aging will continue to take their toll in the years following your treatment. But your forehead wrinkles and brow lines will no longer mark your brow as they used to. You can also help maintain the results and your youthful appearance by protecting your face from the sun and sticking to a healthy lifestyle.

It is important you are aware that every surgical intervention can entail risks and complications. Plastic surgery procedures are in principle carried out on healthy people, so the risks and chances of complications are low. We make sure any risks are reduced to an absolute minimum, by providing plenty of information, taking a thorough medical history (noting your case history, including medication, any problems experienced in previous operations, allergies, etc.) and applying our professional procedures.

Many people each year undergo a successful endoscopic forehead lift at the Boerhaave Medical Centre. The chances of any complications arising are luckily rare. You can help reduce certain risks by carefully reading through the instructions you are given prior to your endoscopic forehead lift.

Possible complications of an endoscopic forehead lift may be:

• Haematoma (blood clot under the skin which has to be removed)
• Adverse reaction to the sedation
• Haemorrhaging
• Infection
• Change in sensitivity
• Permanent scars
• Damage to underlying structures
• Unsatisfactory aesthetic result
• Uneven position of eyebrows.

Smoking

Patients who smoke or use tobacco or nicotine products (such as nicotine patches and chewing gum) at the time of their surgery have a greater risk of complications, such as skin loss and impaired wound healing. People who are exposed to passive smoking may also have an increased risk of complications such as these. What’s more, smoking may have a negative effect on the anaesthesia, which may in turn lead to an increased risk of bleeding. People who are not exposed to tobacco smoke or nicotine-containing products have a significantly lower risk of such complications. It is important not to smoke for at least 2 weeks prior to the operation and to keep this up for the entire recovery process.