The natural aging process steals away the volume of the skin, which can create skin laxity on the face that gives the appearance of sagging or drooping. One area of the face where skin laxity is very obvious is the eye region, specifically the crest of the eyebrow. When skin loses elasticity in this area, it can cause the eye to appear hooded. Fortunately, the experts at The Mack Cosmetic Center in Tampa, FL know that a brow lift procedure can correct hooded eyes and so much more.
Can a Brow Lift Fix Hooded Eyes?
Yes. The goal of a lift is to the appearance of hooded eyes. A sagging brow or a heavy brow pushes the skin of the upper face onto the brow ridge, which then makes the eyes appear hooded and can even deepen the lines between the eyebrows. If drooping brows are the cause of hooded eyes, then a brow lift is the exact procedure to use.
However, sometimes hooded eyes are not caused by a sagging or drooping brow. Sometimes the aging process creates the appearance of excess skin on the upper lid and that can cause hooded eyes. In this case, an eyelid lift may be a better option for you. A consultation with an expert surgeon will be able to determine which surgical procedure is ideal for your needs.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will This Procedure Change My Eye Shape?
One of the most commonly asked questions about this procedure is whether or not it will change the shape of the eye. The answer is no, this procedure will not change the overall shape of the eye or the eyelid. Instead, this procedure will lift the brows into a more youthful position that will hopefully take the weight off the eyes. You may feel that you can open your eyes more widely or with more ease, but the shape of your eye will not change with this procedure.
That said, some patients do feel like this procedure changes their overall appearance. Based on your goals, your surgeon can lift your brows into a particular position to subtly alter your appearance. For example, lifts can pull the brows into a higher arch to refine the appearance or lifts can simply reduce skin laxity without interfering with the natural arch of the brow.
2. How Does This Procedure Work?
A brow lift is generally performed with an endoscopic technique. This procedure involves several small incisions that are placed behind the hairline to conceal the incisions. With these incisions, the brow is lifted into a higher position and other tissues are released or removed on the forehead and brow to achieve the optimal results. An endoscopic lift is less invasive and faster to recover from than a coronal brow lift.
A lift for the brow is not all the much different from a traditional facelift. With both procedures, the skin in a specific area is pulled tighter and higher to mechanically correct skin laxity. Because plastic surgery procedures are generally reserved for those who have not achieved ideal results with other treatments, it’s likely that your skin laxity will need to be pronounced to qualify for this treatment.
3. Who Are Good Candidates?
People who consider this procedure tend to be at least 40 years old or older, as this is when skin laxity can become pronounced enough to create the appearance of hooded eyes. People who are good candidates for this treatment include people who have sagging brows, skin laxity on the forehead, deep glabellar lines, heavy upper lids, and horizontal lines on the forehead.
To become a candidate for this procedure, you will need to attend a full consultation, where we will examine your skin, assess your aesthetic goals, and discuss reasonable expectations for your treatment. You will need to provide your medical information, previous treatments you have tried, and sometimes certain labs or exams to be considered for treatment.
4. When Should You Consider This Procedure?
While there is no set age for this procedure, you should know that surgeons do not generally consider patients who only have mild skin laxity concerns. This is why older adults are generally the most ideal candidates for this procedure.
You may consider a lift if dermal filler and neurotoxin treatments are not effective options for you. Neurotoxin treatments are generally the first choice for many patients since it relaxes the muscles that create furrowed brows, but neurotoxins may not be effective if you have excessive skin laxity on the upper face.
5. When Is a Brow Lift a Good Idea?
If you aren’t sure whether or not this procedure is a good idea for you, there is a simple test you can do at home to decide whether or not this treatment might be worth considering. Standing in front of the mirror, you should gently press your fingers beneath your eyebrows, pushing the brows upward. If your eyes are more visible when this happens, then you may want to consider this procedure.
A similar test also takes place in front of a mirror. This time, you will raise your brows as much as you can, as if in surprise. Holding this expression, you will assess whether or not the crease of your eyelid is more or less visible with this motion. If your eyelid crease is more visible, then this procedure might be right for you.
6. Can You Combine Procedures?
Yes, you can combine this procedure with other plastic surgery techniques. For example, blepharoplasty on the upper lid, lower lid, or both are also common with this procedure. You can also combine this lift procedure with other aesthetic treatments, including dermal fillers and neurotoxin treatments. If you are interested in combining other surgical techniques or cosmetic treatments, please let our experts know during your consultation.
7. How Soon Do You See Results?
You will see the results of an endoscopic lift much quicker than other techniques because this procedure is less invasive overall. most people will be able to see visible improvements in their appearance as soon as three to seven days after the surgery, even while their skin is still recovering. The optimal results of this procedure will be visible about two to three months after your surgery.
During the first few weeks after your surgery, you may notice that your brows appear higher than you anticipated. This is not a cause for concern. Elevation in the brows is a normal result during the recovery period. As your skin settles and responds to the treatment, your brow position will settle into a more natural-looking appearance within about six months following your treatment.
8. How Long Will Results Last?
The results of this treatment will last for several years. In fact, you can expect the results of an endoscopic lift to last for at least five to seven years or sometimes even longer. A traditional lift may produce results that last for 10 to 15 years, but the downside of a traditional lift is the fact that the recovery time is much longer because the technique is more traumatic to the skin. By contrast, an endoscopic lift is faster, less risky, and produces similar results.
9. Why A Lift Instead of Botox?
Botox and other neurotoxins treat only a specific type of wrinkle on the upper face. Dynamic wrinkles are caused by repeated muscle movements creating tension and creases in the skin; when a neurotoxin relaxes the muscle, the wrinkles will also relax.
That said, tension in the facial muscles is not the cause for sagging eyebrows or hooded eyes, so a neurotoxin would not be a good solution for those concerns. People who have skin laxity should use treatments and procedures that address skin laxity, such as this brow procedure or other lift procedures. Your specific treatment may require a combination of different treatments to achieve your ideal results.
Reduce the Appearance of Hooded Eyes Today
Excessive skin laxity in the upper face can create the appearance of hooded eyes or a tired, drawn appearance. Luckily, you can easily correct these concerns with the right plastic surgery technique. An endoscopic brow lift is an ideal solution for those who have moderate to severe skin laxity on the upper face that causes the appearance of heavy or hooded eyelids. Please contact us at The Mack Cosmetic Center in Tampa, FL to schedule an appointment with one of our expert plastic surgeons today.