A forehead lift frees and repositions the brow, which improves horizontal frown lines by reducing the amount the forehead muscle can contract. The muscle that causes vertical furrows is also weakened, which decreases the depths of the furrow.

There are two surgical methods for performing the forehead lift: the less invasive the endoscopic method and the “open” method also called a coronal brow lift.

Endoscopic forehead lift. The endoscopic forehead lift technique generally requires more time in surgery but is less invasive. This method results in smaller scars and diminishes the chances of temporary scalp numbness.

Rather than making one long incision, Dr. Markus will make 5 short incisions in the scalp. He will then insert a long, thin surgical camera called an endoscope through the incision that allows him to clearly see all the underlying tissues.

Through another incision, Dr. Markus inserts a surgical instrument that allows him to gently lift the skin and remove or alter underlying tissue and muscle. Your eyebrows will also be lifted at this time. The eyebrows are secured into place by sutures under the skin and fixation screws placed behind the hairline. Your incisions will then be closed with stitches or staples and covered with a dressing.

Open forehead lift. In a conventional forehead lift, the incision is hidden behind the hairline, from ear to ear. The hair directly along the incision will be trimmed, but it is not necessary to shave your head. For patients with a receding hairline or thinning hair, Dr. Markus may place the incision at the hairline to avoid adding height to the forehead; for balding patients the incision may be placed mid-scalp where the two skull bones meet which makes the resulting scar less conspicuous.