Forehead Numbness After a Brow Lift?

What you are describing is injury to the supraorbital and/or supratrochlear sensory nerves. These emerge from the bone above the eye beneath the brow and may be injured when the muscles that are weakend in a brow lift are operated on. Tingling is a sign of nerve regeneration, but you may be left with that sensation. Check often with your surgeon to monitor your progress.Best of LuckDr. JA. Dean Jabs MD, PhDBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonBethesda, MD/McLean, VA301.641.3195

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!

Brow lift surgery has high satisfaction rates but unfortunately complications occasionally occur with this procedure. When endoscopic brow lift is performed, there is the potential to stretch the sensory nerves of the forehead and create numbness. For most patients, this can be an extremely irritating problem.
The supra-orbital and supra-trochlear nerves are located on each side of the forehead. They arise in the area of the orbital rim and pass upwards toward the top of the head. During surgery, there is the potential to damage or stretch these nerves.
This can result in numbness of the forehead following this procedure. This is not an uncommon event and usually resolves quickly. In most cases, sensation has returned to normal in about 2 to 3 months. Occasionally, numbness lasts for longer periods of time. In some cases, it may last 12 to 18 months and rarely may be permanent.
When nerves regenerate following this type of injury, it’s not unusual for patients to describe a tingling sensation in their forehead. Sometimes patients describe a sensation of something crawling on their forehead. We view this as a sign that things are moving in the right direction.
The fact that you describe tingling of your forehead indicates that nerve regeneration is taking place. It’s important that you maintain good communication with your plastic surgeon. Be patient, there is a good chance that your forehead sensation will return to normal.