Will it be hard to show facial expression after endoscopic forehead lift?

Question

I want to look younger, but I also don't want lose facial expressions completely as an actor.

Sam Rizk, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for sharing your concerns. Many patients have asked me this question during their consultation. When done properly, a brow lift, or forehead lift, should raise droopy eyebrows and enhance the youthful appearance of the eyes. A proper technique will not destroy expression lines or make you appear fake. The endoscopic approach is highly recommended for its technique and rapid healing time, along with the ability to address all of your unique concerns. I recommend visiting a board-certified facial plastic surgeon that has experience performing brow lifts.

Paul F. Vanek Jr, MD · Answer

In the era of Botox, Dysport and Xeomin- neurotoxins that temporarily weaken your muscles of facial animation- many people don't want to have motion of their face, as it contributes to animation lines and an aged appearance. None of the above products raise the brow appreciably, despite manufacturer claims. 
Endoscopic brow lift procedures in my hands do not have the goal of destroying, cutting or de-animating the face. There are surgeons who remove or cut the muscles out and their results show an un-natural appearance months after they have such surgery. I don't recommend such techniques.
I recommend endoscopic brow procedures and take the time to show a host of before and after photographs of people of all ethnicities and ages, so your expectations are met.  
The muscle elevation and scalp and skin repositioning performed after brow lifting through an endoscopic technique is minimally invasive and takes about an hour. Through three 1 inch incisions, a 5 mm endoscope directs small instruments to facilitate the goal of making you look younger. The brow position is elevated into a natural look. The crows feet around the eyes are softer and the forehead is very refreshed looking. You can shampoo the day after the procedure. I don't leave any permanent material in the scalp, or under the scalp. The fixation is removed from your scalp in 10 days, and you are healed a few days later. The results last for decades!

Lawrence Kass, MD · Answer

I believe that the endoscopic approach is forehead lifting is the optimal treatment for almost every patient.  I understand that there will be others on this forum who may disagree with this.  But in my hands, I can achieve complete release of tissues (the most important factor for a successful result) with the small incisions I use and which still allows me to fixate the forehead in a desired and an  elevated position.  Brow asymmetries can also be addressed.  Because the incisions are so small, healing is rapid and bruising may be minimal.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. I suggest that you move forward and consult with a board certified facial plastic surgeon to determine your candidacy for the procedure. Please keep in mind that it is the goal of facial plastic surgery to create a natural looking result that fits with the patient's lifestyle.
Best wishes,

Elbert T. Cheng, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. An endoscopic brow lift will raise your eyebrows but not adversely affect muscle animation or facial expressions as long as your muscles are not cut during the procedure. Further, because of the small entry-points, healing is rapid, and the results are long-lasting. Schedule an in-person consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in your area for more information about whether an endoscopic brow lift is appropriate based on your symptoms and desire results. Good luck!  - Elbert T. Cheng, MD

Jacob D. Steiger, MD · Answer

Long-term the endoscopic forehead lift should not change your facial expression.  The procedure does raise your brows to a more elevated position, so yes that will change. However, the muscle motion should be the same as before once the swelling is resolved if the muscles are not cut during the procedure.

Patrick Flaharty, MD FAACS · Answer

The beauty of the endoscopic brow lift is that you can lift the eyebrow without altering the muscle activity of the eyebrow or forehead.  Very small incisions hidden in the hairline are used to release the forehead allowing the eyebrow to be lifted and reshaped to the desired contour.  After surgery the deeper swelling can reduce forehead activity for a few weeks but as the swelling subsides the muscle activity will return to normal.

Diana Tamboli, MD · Answer

Creamy77,
Great question! As long as you do not develop a complication of facial nerve injury during the brow lift, you should be able to still be very expressive with your face. A brow/forehead lift is effectively repositioning the location of your brows and does not affect the muscles that give your face movement.  Botox can be used to give a liquid brow lift and to selectively paralyze specific muscles that cause the brows to droop. Botox can be injected in a customized approach to provide you with a natural youthful appearance.

All the best!
Dr. Diana Tamboli

Malena Amato, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, typically,  you should have no change in your facial expression after brow/forehead lift surgery other than repositioning of your brows giving you a more awake, youthful appearance. You may have some areas of temporary numbness. Sometimes, botox is used to compliment the surgery, but again, in the hands of an experienced facial surgeon, this should not hinder your facial expression. However, there is always a risk of facial nerve branch weakness after forehead lift, which is another reason you should seek a consultation with an experienced surgeon.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

If you're an actor and want to keep your facial expression, it's best to discuss that with your operative surgeon, since softening the frontalis and coruggator muscles in the forehead is usually a component of a brow lift procedure.