When you are researching facelift surgery, you may also see the term eyebrow lift and wonder whether it is part of the same procedure. A facelift and an eyebrow lift focus on different areas of the face, and understanding what each involves can help you attend a consultation with a clearer idea of the concerns you want to discuss.
What Does a Classic Facelift Actually Address?
A facelift, known clinically as a rhytidectomy, focuses on the middle and lower parts of the face. This includes the cheeks, the area around the mouth, the jawline, and the neck. During the procedure, the underlying facial support layer, known as the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), is repositioned, and excess skin may be removed or repositioned to address changes in these areas.
The upper face is not treated as part of a standard facelift. The forehead, the area between the brows, and the position of the eyebrows themselves are outside the scope of this procedure. If changes in the brow or forehead area are part of what you want to address, a facelift on its own will not cover those regions.
Because a facelift and a brow lift can both involve incisions near the hairline, they are sometimes mistaken for the same procedure. In reality, they focus on different structures and address different parts of the face. Which option, or combination of options, may apply in your situation is explored during a consultation, when your facial anatomy and concerns are reviewed in detail.
What Is an Eyebrow Lift and What Does It Do?
An eyebrow lift, also called a brow lift or browplasty, is a surgical procedure that addresses the soft tissue and skin of the upper part of the face. It focuses on the position of the eyebrows and the soft tissue of the forehead. Changes in these areas can influence the overall appearance of the upper face and the area around the eyes.
A brow lift changes the position of the brow and, in some cases, may include adjustment of the muscles that contribute to horizontal forehead lines or vertical creases between the brows (glabellar lines). The extent of change depends on your facial anatomy and the brow position, so a detailed assessment during consultation is an important part of planning surgery.
There are different surgical approaches to a brow lift, including endoscopic techniques that use smaller incisions and approaches that use a longer incision along the hairline. Which approach is used will be discussed with you once your facial structure has been properly assessed.
Why Do Some Patients Consider Both Procedures Together?
The face ages as a whole, and the areas you want to address may involve both the upper and lower face. A facelift can address changes to the cheeks, jawline, and neck, while a brow lift addresses the forehead and brow region. When both areas are a concern, the two procedures may be discussed together as part of a broader surgical plan.
Whether combining both procedures is suitable depends on your individual health, anatomy, and surgical goals, and can only be determined after a proper assessment. The decision depends on your anatomy, your overall health, your surgical goals, and whether undergoing both procedures at the same time is appropriate, given the expected duration of surgery and anaesthesia.
A consultation is the only way to get a clear and accurate answer for your specific situation. What is suitable for one patient may not be suitable for another.
Are There Risks Specific to Combining These Procedures?
All surgical procedures carry risks, and combining a facelift with a brow lift means taking on the risks associated with each. General risks that apply to any surgery performed under general anaesthesia include bleeding, infection, adverse reactions, and blood clots. Risks more specific to facial surgery can include nerve changes, altered sensation, asymmetry, scarring, and, in some cases, the need for revision surgery.
Longer operations also carry their own considerations, particularly in relation to anaesthesia. A thorough pre-operative assessment is essential to determine whether combining procedures is appropriate for your individual health profile.
All relevant risks will be discussed with you clearly, in plain language, before you make any decisions. Taking adequate time to understand and consider this information is a fundamental part of making an informed choice about whether to proceed.
How Do You Know If You Need a Facelift, a Brow Lift, or Both?
A facelift focuses on the cheeks, jawline, and neck, while a brow lift focuses on the forehead and brow area. If your main concerns are in the lower face, a facelift might be discussed. If your concerns are in the upper face, a brow lift might be more relevant. When changes are present in both areas, it can be appropriate to consider both procedures together after careful assessment.
A detailed surgical consultation provides specific guidance for your situation. During this appointment, your facial anatomy is assessed, your concerns are discussed, and the procedures that relate to your situation are explained, including their risks, limitations, and recovery requirements.
Suitability for a facelift, a brow lift, or a combination of both varies from patient to patient. What is appropriate for one patient may not be appropriate for another, and a consultation is needed to understand which, if any, procedure aligns with your circumstances.
Why Choose Dr Hunt for Facelift Surgery and Eyebrow Lift Surgery in Sydney
Dr Jeremy Hunt is a registered specialist plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of surgical experience. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Sydney (MBBS), is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS), and is a Member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), and the International Society of Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS). He completed a Craniofacial Fellowship at the University of Texas, where he received advanced training in the bones and soft tissues of the face, skull, and jaw. He also serves as a Consultant Surgeon at Sydney Children’s Hospital and the Prince of Wales Hospital.
A classic facelift (rhytidectomy) is a procedure Dr Hunt performs as part of his plastic surgery practice. The surgery addresses the middle and lower face, including the cheeks, jawline, and neck, by repositioning the underlying SMAS layer and addressing excess skin where appropriate. During your consultation, he assesses your facial anatomy and discusses whether this procedure is appropriate for the changes you want to address, what it involves, and the realistic outcomes and risks for your individual case.
Brow lift surgery (browplasty) is also within Dr Hunt’s practice. For patients whose concerns relate to brow position, lines across the forehead, or other changes in the upper face that are not addressed by facelift surgery alone, a brow lift may be discussed as a separate procedure or in combination at the time of consultation. When one or both procedures are being considered, he assesses your facial anatomy, explains the approach that may be relevant in your circumstances, and provides information about recovery, potential risks, and limitations so you can consider your options.
Further reading about facelift with Dr Hunt:
- What is a facelift (Rhytidectomy)?
- How much does facelift surgery cost in Sydney?
- How to prepare for face lift surgery?
- What questions to ask your surgeon before facelift?
- Are there any age restrictions for facelift surgery?
- Does facelift surgery leave scars?
- What is a jowl lift (lower facelift)?
- What can you expect after facelift surgery (day by day)?
- How to reduce bruising and swelling after face lift surgery?
- How to sleep after facelift surgery?
- What should I know about the post-facelift facial massage?
- How to protect your face from the sun after facelift surgery?
- What should you not do after a facelift?
- What procedures can I combine with a facelift?
- How to prepare for a face lift consultation?
- How lifestyle habits can affect face lift results?
- What food to avoid during facelift recovery?
- Can I get a facelift during the summer season?
- What non-surgical treatments can help prolong the results of a facelift?
- Microneedling after a facelift: Should I consider it?
- How much younger can I expect to look after a deep plane facelift?
Medical references about facelift: