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Progress is rarely linear. We take several strides forward, then invariably step back. How else can we assess our trajectory and determine the best path toward our ideal outcome?

Every generation contributes to our collective betterment, but perhaps no group is more synonymous with progress than millennials. They grew up with the internet, pioneered social media, and thrive on information and innovation.

For these reasons, it is noteworthy when millennials opt for a classic approach over more recent methodologies. Since the advent and proliferation of Botox and fillers, the popularity of brow lifts plunged precipitously. Between the years 2000 and 2019, the procedure saw a 69% drop, due primarily to the convenience, safety, and effectiveness of injectables.

But now, the pendulum is starting to swing back the other way. Millennials love the results they receive from dermal fillers and neuromodulators, and now they want to put a ring on it. Brow lifts provide a more permanent solution to drooping skin and wrinkled foreheads, so the procedure is beginning to trend among the trendy.

Brow Lifts vs. Injectables

Let’s face it: we’re all sick of wearing masks. They helped slow the spread of COVID-19, but they also obscured your beautifully expressive lips and lower facial features. Masks directed our gaze upwards, emphasizing the eyes and their surroundings. Every wink and frown became amplified, and people paid close attention to every fine detail of the upper face.

The forehead is a breeding ground for wrinkles. Every time you make a facial expression, your musculature pulls at the skin, forming creases along the brow. There are many ways to address the wrinkling process. Botox halts the persistent contraction of specific muscles, allowing for a smooth serenity to encompass your expression. You can also get an added boost from facial fillers. These gentle serums bring volume to the skin, filling out gaps and smoothing creases from within. 

But some lax, redundant skin is too much for injectables to solve in a long-term manner. If you have sagging or heavy brows, a brow lift will work wonders for you. A brow lift procedure comes in two types: the endoscopic lift and the classic (coronal) lift. Although the endoscopic lift is a favorite for a number of reasons, the coronal lift has its unique advantages as well.

The Endoscopic Lift

The endoscopic lift is named after the procedure’s essential tool: the endoscope. This minimally invasive technique holds several advantages over the coronal lift, which was once the industry standard.

In any brow lift, the objective is to lift the skin surrounding the brow after it has begun to sag from muscle constriction around the eyes. With the endoscopic brow lift, small incisions about an inch long are made in the scalp above the hairline. Then, your medical team employs an endoscope (with a camera and light) to assist the surgeon in making the incisions. 

Once the doctor makes skillful, subtle incisions, he can gently separate the skin from the muscles and adjust it to create the appearance of a lift. The forehead is then secured with metal posts, which are removed ten days later.

Many patients opt for a simultaneous upper blepharoplasty procedure to complement the benefits of endoscopic brow lifts. Blepharoplasty is eyelid surgery engineered to remove subtle pockets of fat and excess skin. By performing an eye lift in conjunction with a brow lift, your doctor can achieve seamless results. After all, there is no magic border between the forehead and the eyelids; it is a holistic landscape of expression and radiance. 

The endoscopic procedure is quick, lasting about an hour and a half. Patients can expect to resume normal activities in ten days and recover completely in about three weeks. Overall, the procedure produces similar results to the classic lift, with less scarring.

The Classic Lift

The classic lift earned its title from its history of being the industry standard of brow lift surgeries. It involves a much longer incision, extending from ear to ear. This incision may also be made mid-scalp, following the skull to appear less conspicuous. This procedure removes a strip of skin, allowing the surgeon to lift and smooth the remaining skin.

A minority of coronal lift patients may experience alopecia: circular bald patches usually resolve after a few months. There is also a small chance of swelling, but recent advancements in the brow lift field have nearly eliminated this risk.

There is also postoperative pain associated with the classic lift, and the patient may experience prolonged numbness around the incision. This soon leads to itchiness, which may last for six months.

Classic Brow Lift vs. Endoscopic Brow Lift

Some surgeons express doubts regarding the longevity of endoscopic brow lifts. The method may not produce the long-lasting results associated with the classic lift approach. This is due to the fact that endoscopic lifts merely shift the skin upwards without removing redundant skin, leaving a chance that the skin may resettle over time. 

According to one extensive survey of 628 endoscopic brow lift procedures, patient satisfaction was high. In fact, 70% of respondents indicated positive results, but their surgeons still hold an affinity for the classic lift approach. Only half of the physicians surveyed were satisfied with the long-term benefits of their endoscopic lifts, expressing a desire for more enduring results after five years.

The endoscopic lift also shifts the hairline upwards, thus making the classic lift a better option for people with thin tissue or a receding hairline.
When deciding which brow lift procedure is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Binder. His vast expertise ensures that he can answer any surgical questions or concerns you may have.