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Conventional Forehead Lift Surgery

Before the operation begins, your hair will be tied with rubber bands on either side of the incision line. Your head will not be shaved, but hair that is growing directly in front of the incision line may need to be trimmed.

The surgeon cuts a coronal incision, following a headphone-like pattern starting at ear level and running across the top of the forehead and down the other side. The incision is usually made well behind the hairline so that the scar won’t be visible.

If you are bald or have thinning hair, your surgeon may recommend a mid-scalp incision so the resulting scar follows the natural junction of two bones in your skull and is less conspicuous.

Working through the incision, the plastic surgeon carefully lifts the skin of the forehead so that the underlying tissue can be removed and the forehead muscles can be altered or released. The eyebrows may also be elevated, and excess skin at the incision point will be trimmed away to help create a smoother, more youthful appearance.

The incision is then closed with stitches or clips. Your face and hair will be washed to prevent irritation, and the rubber bands will be removed from your hair. Your doctor may choose to cover the incision with gauze padding and wrap the forehead in an elastic bandage.

After The Surgery

Conventional forehead lift patients may experience some numbness and temporary discomfort around the incision, which can be controlled with prescription medication. Patients who are prone to headaches may be treated with an additional longer-acting local anesthesia during surgery as a preventive measure. Most stitches and clips are removed within two weeks. 

You may be told to keep your head elevated for two to three days following surgery to keep the swelling down. Swelling may also affect the cheeks and eyes.

As the nerves heal, numbness may be replaced by itching. These sensations may take as long as six months to fully disappear. Some of your hair around the incision may fall out and be temporarily thinner. Normal hair growth should resume within a few weeks or months.

You should be able to shower and shampoo your hair within two days or as soon as the bandage is removed. Most patients return to work within a week to 10 days. Prolonged exposure to heat or sun should be limited for several months.

Learn about Endoscopic Forehead Lifts, or return to the Forehead Lift Overview.