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Review
. 2020 Apr 6;15(2):218-235.
doi: 10.18502/jovr.v15i2.6740. eCollection 2020 Apr-Jun.

Techniques of Eyebrow Lifting: A Narrative Review

Nasser Karimi  1 , Mohsen Bahmani Kashkouli  1 , Hamed Sianati  1 , Behzad Khademi  1
Affiliations
Review

Techniques of Eyebrow Lifting: A Narrative Review

Nasser Karimi et al. J Ophthalmic Vis Res. .

Abstract

None of brow lift techniques are completely satisfactory because of their limited effectiveness, lack of longevity, and potential complications. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of the literature on the pros and cons of the most popular techniques in brow and forehead lift. Relevant original articles in the PubMed database (English language) were sought using the search terms "eyebrow lift", "forehead lift", "periorbital rejuvenation", "eyebrow ptosis", "blepharoplasty and eyebrow change", "surgical eyebrow lift", and "non-surgical eyebrow lift", No date limitation was considered. Titles and abstracts were scanned to include the most pertinent articles. Subsequently, full texts of included articles (111 articles) were skimmed and finally 56 references were selected for the review. A narrative synthesis of data was finally undertaken with particular attention to the indications, techniques, and common complications of the eyebrow lift procedures. Ten popular techniques including two non-surgical methods (Botulinum toxin A and soft tissue fillers) were reviewed in this article. In general, non-surgical methods of forehead/brow lift are temporary, need less experience and correction would be easier should any complication occur. Surgical methods are divided into three categories: trans-blepharoplasty eyebrow lift, direct eyebrow lift, and trans-forehead eyebrow/forehead lift. Currently, the most popular method is the endoscopic forehead lift approach even though its longevity is limited. Direct brow-lift is particularly useful in patients with facial palsy and those who are more likely to be accepting of the scar (male gender, high forehead hair line).

Keywords: Endoscopy; Esthetics; Eyebrow; Forehead; Lifting; Rejuvenation; Blepharoplasty.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Before (A) and after (B) botulinum toxin A injection for the lateral eyebrow lift.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Before (A & C) and after (B & D) Hyaluronic acid gel (filler) injection under the lateral 2/3 of eyebrow. The injection yield to eyebrow projection especially in front view (B) and lift especially on lateral view (D).
Figure 3
Figure 3
A gentleman before (A & C) and six months after (B & D) upper blepharoplasty and internal browpexy. Internal browpexy has resulted in no or minimal change in the eyebrow position.
Figure 4
Figure 4
A patient before (A) and after (B) upper and lower blepharoplasty with trans-blepharoplasty corrugator excision. Trans-blepharoplasty glabellar myoplasty (corrugator muscle deactivation) leads to medial eyebrow lift.
Figure 5
Figure 5
A subject with high hair line before (A) and after (B) direct eyebrow lift and upper blepharoplasty procedures. Direct eyebrow lift is mostly used for male with high frontal hair line which lateral eyebrow is lifted.
Figure 6
Figure 6
A very effective eyebrow tail lift with no visible scar (B & D) could be resulted from direct brow lift in female with high hairline (A & C).
Figure 7
Figure 7
While suture (barbed) lift minimally elevates the eyebrow tail and consequently increased eyelid show (B & D), the effect is temporary. It is usually performed in young females (A & C) with realistic expectation.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Before (A) and after (B) transcoronal lift with upper blepharoplasty and ptosis repair.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Cardinal steps of a transcoronal forehead lift include careful marking (A), complete release in the subperiosteal plane, up to the orbital rim (B), advancing the forehead flap over the scalp wound until the flap is moderately tight (C), and finally after excision of the excess segment and wound closure with staples (D).
Figure 10
Figure 10
Before (A & C) and two years after (B & D) endoscopic forehead lift and upper blepharoplasty in a female in whom medial and lateral eyebrow lift are visible.
Figure 11
Figure 11
A male patient with good frontal hairline (A) who underwent endoscopic forehead lift and upper blepharoplasty procedures and ended up with a good eyebrow lift two and a half years after the surgery (B).
Figure 12
Figure 12
Endoscopic forehead lift. Novice surgeons are recommended to mark the location of corrugator muscles, supratrochlear and supraorbital neurovascular bundles before commencing the surgery (A). Sentinel vein is in close proximity to the frontal division of the facial nerve (B). Supratrochlear and supraorbital neurovascular bundles are readily identifiable during endoscopic lift (C). Corrugator muscle is disinserted and cauterized to smoothen the frown lines. Supratrochlear nerves crossing the muscle fibers should be preserved during the muscle disinsertion (D).
Figure 13
Figure 13
A patient with deep static glabellar lines (A & C) who underwent endoscopic forehead lift with glabellar smoothening and resulted in total eyebrow lift and no glabellar lines (B & D) one year after the procedure.
Figure 14
Figure 14
A young man with high hair line and total eyebrow ptosis (A) underwent pretrichial endoscopic forehead lift (B). While the lift effect is appreciated (B), scar of incision (arrows) will be visible for months and should be covered with hair styling.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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