How to Address Forehead Numbness After a Browlift?

Unfortunately, I wouldn't be surprised if your numbness is permanent. This can still occur even with traditional, open browlifts, but it sounds like your surgeon did not discuss with you the risk of this occurring.
Endoscopic browlifts usually are less likely to result in permanent numbness, but it still can occur.
If the scars hurt when you elevate your brows, it may be due to some poor scar healing or contracture, which can be treated surgically. I would recommend seeing a Board Certified Surgeon in your area for a formal evaluation.
Good luck,
Dr. S

Hello! Thank you for your question! Numbness after any surgical
procedure is expected for several weeks to months following. As the
nerves to the area are traumatized and will then experience a temporary
neuropraxia, a transient loss of nerve conduction. This usually
resolves over the next 6-12 weeks, but depending on the procedure
performed, sometimes much longer. Typically this should resolve by 1
year. As it goes past this date, the likelihood of the sensation
returning is small. However, it can take up to 2 years. If no return
from there, it is unlikely to return. It should be discussed that
persistent sensory changes may develop following any surgical
procedure. The usual signs of the nerves regenerating and neuropraxia
resolving is itching, followed by a burning sensation and then
occasional sharp, shock-like pains. These will be normal to experience,
and actually a promising sign. Usually, normal sensation returns, but
is is also possible to have decreased sensation or even increased
sensation to the areas affected. Re-educating nerves postoperatively is
often helpful and will allow proper instruction for the affected
sensory nerves - methods include using different textures to the
affected areas when showering, bathing, applying lotion, etc. If
bothersome, there are some medications that may be helpful, including
Neurontin for pain for hypersensitivity. You can try various textures
such as washcloths, loofahs, cotton sheets, etc. Massaging the areas is
also beneficial for the incision to make the finest scar possible. The
last place to regain the sensation will be directly adjacent to the
incision/scar as the nerves will make its way from the periphery to this
location. If continual pain arises, evaluation is warranted. After
ruling out other causes, one rare explanation may be that a neuroma has
developed and may require surgical excision. This is very unlikely
unless a large sensory nerve has been transected inadvertently during
the procedure. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

Unfortunately your brow numbness may be permanent at this time. We usually see some temporary numbness following brow lift surgery. This is usually related to compression or stretch of the forehead sensory nerves. Function typically returns in 12 to 18 months following surgery.
When direct excisional brow lifts are performed, the forehead sensory nerves are at risk for injury. This certainly may be a possibility for you. When this occurs the numbness may be permanent.
It’s concerning that you have pain in your scar with movement. This suggests possible neuroma formation. It’s important that you see a board certified plastic surgeon for further evaluation.

The type of browlift you descirbed usually spares the nerves exiting from the skull and innervation the brow and scalp.  Short term anesthesia is common but after 11 months, I would be a bit pessimistic.  Sensory nerves, however, might repopulate the area in the future so don't give up.

This may be permanent. There is no way to determine this for sure.
Surgical exploration could perhaps determine if the nerves were severed. In this event repair could be attempted but would not likely to be successful.
Essentially you are describing two different issues.

One is pain
The other is numbness.

To some degree they are related and treatment depends on your goals.
To manage the pain, you may want to massage the area, or use topical creams with capsacin (pepper derivative) which distract the pain fibers similar to a TENS unit for the back. Alternatively, if there is one highly sensitive point, it may be indicative of a neruoma which requires removal and will defcfinitely leave you with permanent numbness.
To treat the numbness, the options are surgical repair (with low likelihood of success) and at great expense or tincture of time. This could see some improvement over two years.

The technique used is sometimes beneficial for men and is known as a "direct browlift". The pain you describe is probably related to sensory nerve re-growth and is generally likely to improve over time.
However, in rare circumstances, a granuloma can form on a sensory nerve ending in the healing process and can lead to continued discomfort. There is a possibility that your situation could be improved with scar revision because after 11 months, the scars are reaching maturity and are not likely to change significantly.
At this point, evaluation of your situation by a Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon or Plastic Surgeon is indicated.

When it comes to numbness from an incision, it can sometimes take up to 1-2 years for sensation to come back. However, with a coronal or direct brow lift such as you've had, numbness can sometimes be permanent. If after 11 months you haven't had any sensation return chances are it may not return.To address the pain issue you’re having, it sounds as though it may be due to your incision not healing properly. Scar revision surgery may be an option to help with some of the pain; I would recommend going to see a Board Certified plastic surgeon to talk about your options at length.

"Dr.D"

It is possible with a direct brow lift to damage the superorbital and supratrochlear nerves (nerves that control sensation) in the eyebrow area.  Anytime there is numbness postoperative from a brow lift usually with time it gets better, however it is possible to have permanent numbness in the area of the brows after surgery. It is one of the risks of the procedure. 

It sounds like you had a direct browlift.  In this case perhaps the sensory nerves were cut. When an open coronal brow lift is performed, nerves are commmonly cut, but then usually regnerate over a years time.  You may not get it back from that positoin.

Brow lifts are an extremely popular and effective way to reposition the brow and smooth the forehead. It is possible to have some swelling and numbness in the brow after the surgery. This is usually due to the nerves of the forehead having been stretched. Your sensation should return in several months. At this time it is too early to perform any corrective procedure.