Brow Lift or Facelift, Which One Do I Need?

Do you feel like gravity is working against you and that loose skin and wrinkles are starting to get the best of your appearance? While it’s true that age is nothing but a number, sometimes wrinkles and sagging skin can tack on a few more unnecessary digits. If this all sounds familiar, it may be time to look into surgical options to correct these issues. Dr. Khorsandi with VIP Plastic Surgery in Las Vegas has performed countless brow and facelifts and the results can be life changing for our patients.

During many of Dr. Khorsandi’s consultations, the question arises--do I need a facelift or a brow lift? Which is better for me? Here, we explain the differences between the two treatments, who may be a better candidate for one over the other, and why sometimes, both are combined into one surgery.

What is a brow lift?

A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, is a pretty straightforward procedure that focuses on the brows and their positioning. It addresses the upper portion of the face by lifting the brows and reducing the excess skin that is responsible for sagging. This method also lifts the eyes making them appear awakened and refreshed. The forehead, which tends to display some of the most obvious signs of aging is also smoothed and tightened which results in a more youthful appearance. Patients are mostly concerned with the upper aspect of their face, may be better suited for a brow lift.

What is a facelift?

A facelift can include the top, middle, and/or lower portions of the face and Dr. Khorsandi offers multiple types of facelifts to help you achieve your desired results. A facelift can also tighten and smooth the area of the neck where loose skin is most common and troublesome. Traditional facelifts work best for older patients who have many wrinkles and moderate to a significant amount of loose skin. They can lift the cheeks, which also helps to smooth and lift sagging jowls. Depending on the type of facelift needed to address your specific concerns, the incision areas will vary. Dr. Khorsandi discusses these options with you during your consultation and will help guide you in the right direction. A facelift will reduce wrinkles and sagging skin and leave your face looking rejuvenated.

Which procedure is right for me?

This question depends on where your “problematic” areas are. What bothers you the most? If it is all located in the upper face, then a brow lift may be all that is necessary. Depending on the amount of sagging skin and wrinkles present, some Las Vegas patients elect to have a brow lift and a facelift procedure performed at the same time. This combined approach addresses all aspects of the face including the forehead, mid-face (cheeks), jowls, and oftentimes, the neck as well.

Am I a good candidate?

Loose skin or fatty tissue which gives an angry or tired appearance is one of the main complaints that patients have when they see Dr. Khorsandi for a consultation. A facelift can target specific problem areas that need to be tightened to reduce the excess skin or abundance of wrinkles. If you’re starting to notice deep, horizontal creases across your forehead, along with droopy upper eyelids then you may also benefit from a brow lift procedure.

What does it cost?

You can expect a brow lift procedure to run you around $9,000. A majority of the time insurance will not cover this procedure since it is often considered cosmetic. On average, a facelift typically costs around $12,000. More invasive procedures can run up to $18,000 while you can get by spending $8,000 on less invasive facelifts. In addition to invasiveness, the technique that’s used to achieve the right results will also play a role in the overall cost.

What about recovery time?

Recovery time from a brow lift procedure is typically 1-2 weeks. Some numbness or temporary discomfort may be experienced post-surgery. Swelling may also occur in the eyelids or cheeks and it’s recommended to sleep with your head elevated to help alleviate the swelling. Depending on the procedure, you may have to return to the office 10-14 days after the surgery to have your sutures or staples removed.

Facelift procedures require a bit more recovery time. Patients will spend 24-48 hours in an aftercare facility for observation prior to being discharged. You’ll notice an improvement in your appearance within a week or so. Swelling and bruising from the procedure is completely normal and expected and will last up to two weeks following the procedure. Full healing may take around 12-18 months and there is a chance that slight scarring may occur.

Important things to consider

Selecting a surgeon that is highly skilled in these procedures is key for optimal results. Several different techniques and incision methods can be used to perform a brow lift or facelift and each has its own pros and cons. Dr. Khorsandi will discuss these options with you and select which will work best for you based on your individual needs.

Consultation

If you’re ready to turn back the hands of time, and look and feel like a younger, more confident version of yourself then give our Las Vegas office a call to setup a consultation. Dr. Khorsandi will conduct a physical examination, review your medical history, and discuss your desired results. He will also go over the procedure in greater detail and provide more information on recovery time and what to expect. We can help you obtain your goals and have you feeling as good as you look. We look forward to helping you turn back the hands of time!