Our experience at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery has been that most people do not present to our clinic specifically requesting a brow lift, let alone requesting to “lift of my entire eyebrow x inches.” Instead, most present feeling like their eyes look less open and are unsure why. They may pinch the skin on their upper eyelids, describing difficulty with applying makeup because it gets “caught under the folds of skin up there.” They often also pull up the side of their brows, explaining how this makes them feel more youthful, that more sunlight reaches their eyes this way. Broadly, these individuals seek an intervention that can open their eyes back up, highlighting their beautiful shape and color. Surgery is usually the best way to achieve this. It is important to consider both the eyebrows and the upper eyelids when developing a surgical plan because, while treatment of the eyebrows or the eyelids may be effective by themselves, treating both areas together is often the most effective and natural appearing. It is recommended that you seek a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon if you have aesthetic concerns about your face or neck.
How to Treat Drooping, Hooded Eyes That Can Make Us Look Tired
Dr. Jeffrey Harmon
Excessive Upper Eyelid Skin Removal with Surgery Can Make a Brow Lift Impossible
Dr. Harmon has consulted with and treated multiple patients who have undergone upper eyelid (blepharoplasty) surgery elsewhere and now seek treatment of their drooping eyebrows. Too often, these individuals have presented with excessive skin and fat removal in the eyes. The telltale signs of this can include:
- A wide scar which is usually placed too close to the eyelash margin and away from the natural upper eyelid crease.
- Excessive show of the upper portion of the eyeball, called excess tarsal show.
- Difficulty closing the eyes, called lagophthalmos, which is not always apparent when awake but can be apparent when asleep.
These individuals may not be able to undergo a brow lift because their eyes do not close completely if the brow is lifted. These examples demonstrate the connection between the eyebrow and upper eyelid. It is why Dr. Harmon always considers both areas when assessing the most appropriate treatment for age-related changes around the eyes.
The Lateral Temporal Brow Lift Can Restore Some of the Youthful Eye “Glow”
The lateral temporal brow lift is a surgical procedure that can address the most common feature of aging in the eyebrow, the drooping of its most lateral portion. Drooping can lead to hooding over the upper eyelid where the volume of the brow hangs over the lateral edge of the eye, making the eyes look less open. This procedure is performed with only two small incisions within the hair. And, while this may be the only procedure necessary to achieve the desired results, the upper eyelid itself also needs to be evaluated.
Upper Eyelid (Blepharoplasty) Surgery Can Also Restore Some of the Youthful Eye “Glow”
Upper eyelid (blepharoplasty) surgery is focused on excess folds of skin that can develop on the upper eyelid itself but extend to the interface with the drooping brow tissue. Importantly, every eyelid is different, even on the same individual. As a result, while the basic shape of the excision remains the same, there are and should be slight differences in how the skin is excised because of those often-subtle differences in the skin. Dr. Harmon also lifts the lateral brows when designing the upper eyelid surgery to preserve the ability to address the eyebrows in the future if that need/desire arises.
The Lateral Temporal Brow Lift and Upper Eyelid (Blepharoplasty) Can Be Complementary
The lateral temporal brow lift and upper eyelid (blepharoplasty) surgery can complement each other because these anatomical sites interact and blend in with each other. As a result, one cannot consider one procedure without considering the other. This philosophy carries through to other areas as well, for example, in the way the extended deep plane facelift complements the neck lift more completely than other facelift procedures.
Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon
It is important to seek a fellowship-trained specialist in plastic surgery of the face and neck when you have concerns about your face or neck.
Request a Consultation
Request a consultation with Dr. Harmon at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery in Cincinnati. Visit our clinic. You will learn more about Dr. Harmon’s credentials, style, and approach. Build a relationship with our dedicated team. Do not stop searching “plastic surgery near me.” Get in touch with us to learn more.
This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute direct medical advice. It is essential that you have a consultation with a qualified medical provider prior to considering any treatment. This will allow you the opportunity to discuss any potential benefits, risks, and alternatives to the treatment.