Forehead lift – reduce wrinkles and give your face a fresher appearance

General information about Panneløft

Some people develop premature aging in the form of drooping eyebrows, "angry wrinkles" between the eyebrows, more wrinkles on the forehead, or a "stern facial expression."

Although eyelid surgery is the most common procedure for correcting loose skin and excess skin on the eyelids and reduced field of vision, there are some cases where the entire forehead droops, resulting in low-set eyebrows. You can hold your forehead and pull it up, and if your eyebrows are in a more correct position, you are a candidate for an eyebrow lift or a full forehead lift. A forehead lift helps to lift the eyebrows and smooth out wrinkles.

If the eyebrows have sunk below the edge of the eye socket, this results in excess skin on the upper eyelid.

Facelift or eyelid surgery?

Many patients often request eyelid surgery when what they really need is a forehead lift.

In some cases, loose skin can be a problem in both areas, and a forehead lift combined with eyelid surgery may be appropriate. This will be decided during a consultation.

Factors contributing to premature aging 

Smoking, stress, exposure to sunlight, moderate to severe obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor diet are some of the factors that not only accelerate aging but also increase the risk of complications and thus reduce the possibility of achieving a successful cosmetic result from a forehead lift.

What should I consider before surgery?

You will receive a thorough consultation to assess whether it is necessary to combine a forehead lift with eyelid surgery. To achieve optimal results and avoid complications, it is recommended that you maintain a normal weight and comply with the conditions mentioned above.

As with any major surgery, all medications and supplements that increase the risk of bleeding should be stopped 2 weeks before the operation. See our list of medications and supplements to avoid. As always, be sure to check with your doctor before stopping any medication.

If you smoke, you must stop smoking at least 1 week before surgery and also refrain from smoking for 2 weeks afterwards.

The week you are scheduled to have surgery, it is important that you are healthy. If you have symptoms of illness, you must contact the clinic so that we can schedule a new date. Surgery should not be performed when you have symptoms of illness. 

Before the operation, you will be given a prescription for medication, with information about which tablets to take and what preparations to make at home.

What happens on the day of the operation?

On the day of the operation, you must fast for 6 hours before the operation. It is also important that you do not chew gum or lozenges, use snuff or smoke. You should not use perfume, deodorant or makeup—and piercings and nail polish must be removed. 

It is always a priority for us that you feel well cared for with the very best expertise, in safe and comfortable surroundings. You will be welcomed by a nurse who will go through a checklist with you. You will also meet our anesthesia staff who will look after you during the operation. You will then see the surgeon for a preoperative consultation. During the operation, you will be given anesthesia and a large amount of local anesthetic to limit the pain.

The operation itself takes about 2 hours.

After the operation, you will be monitored by our nurses, and you will remain in bed for at least one hour after the operation is complete. You will be given food, drink, and pain relief as needed. 

How is a forehead lift performed?

A forehead lift is performed through an incision in the hairline under local anesthesia and sedation (painkillers and sedatives).

Next, the skin under the eyebrows is loosened, where the excess skin is removed and the remaining skin is sutured to the hairline so that the scar is as inconspicuous as possible.

We close the wound with stitches that must be removed after 7 days. A forehead lift may qualify for sick leave. Physical exercise and hard physical work should be avoided for approximately 6 weeks.

What will the scars look like after a forehead lift, and how long will the results last?

The scars are often red, itchy, and hard at first, but they fade and soften over time. In rare cases, the scars become wide and highly visible because this depends on the person's own inherited characteristics.

What should I take into consideration after surgery?

You can return to the clinic after 7 days to have your stitches removed. We therefore recommend that you tape the scars for a couple of months after the operation. You must wear a forehead bandage for 6 weeks after the operation.