Raise Your Expectations and Recontour Your Brows
No one wants to have a serious, fatigued, or unapproachable appearance. If this sounds like you, your forehead may be to blame. Eyebrows that sag excessively onto the top eyelids, whether as a natural part of aging or because of genetics, can take away from a bright, youthful appearance.
In order to give his patients a more relaxed and approachable look, Atlanta brow lift provider, Dr. Harvey "Chip" Cole, III, M.D., F.A.C.S., performs brow recontouring surgery using endoscopic techniques that are as minimally invasive as possible. Patients from all over the metro area, including Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Roswell, and Dunwoody, seek out Dr. Cole for his brow recontouring surgical expertise. Dr. Cole frequently has his patients come to Atlanta from across the country and abroad.
Nothing to Frown About
Wrinkles and frown lines often appear between the brows and in the forehead area as we age. A forehead lift, also known as a brow lift, is a surgical cosmetic procedure that softens deep wrinkles and corrects drooping brows. The main difference between Dr. Cole’s techniques and others is that he releases and then recontours the brow, resulting in a brow reset for stability and naturalness.
Therefore, his patients do not look surprised but merely rested and rejuvenated. Dr. Chip Cole and the professionals at Oculus Plastic Surgery can help you enjoy a younger and more refreshed appearance in Atlanta, GA! When you have an endoscopic brow lift at our clinic, creases on the forehead and glabella (the area between the eyebrows) are reduced. Asymmetry of the brows can also be corrected at the time of surgery. Depending on your needs and cosmetic goals, we can perform a brow recontouring at the same time as other procedures, such as eyelid surgery or laser skin resurfacing, for more dramatic results.
Balanced Symmetry
Among the possible benefits of a brow lift are:
A brow lift can help a person look younger and refreshed. Dr. Cole likes to say that “brows speak louder than words” and therefore must be released and recontoured and reset for a persons best and most natural appearance. It can also help in many other ways, both physically and mentally. It's important to talk to Dr. Cole about the possible risks and benefits of the procedure before deciding if a brow lift is right for you.
A good candidate for a brow lift is in good general health, has realistic expectations for the procedure, and is willing to follow aftercare instructions during recovery. If you want to know whether a brow lift is right for you, schedule your consultation with Dr. Cole to learn more.
A brow lift addresses sagging brows, forehead wrinkles, and frown lines, providing a rejuvenated and youthful appearance to the upper face. This procedure can significantly enhance facial harmony and restore a more relaxed and pleasant expression.
Ideal candidates for a brow lift are individuals who have sagging brows, forehead wrinkles, or a tired appearance caused by the hooding of the upper eyelid. Candidates should be in good health and have realistic expectations about the outcomes. During your consultation, Dr. Cole will assess your suitability for the procedure and develop a personalized treatment plan.
Personalized Details
At Oculus Plastic Surgery, your personal needs are our priority. We customize all of our procedures to meet your unique needs and expectations so that you are fully satisfied with your results. Schedule your consultation today to meet Dr. Cole and his team and explore your options.
Understanding the difference between a brow lift and a brow contour is essential for selecting the right procedure. A brow lift focuses on elevating the entire brow area, reducing forehead wrinkles, and enhancing the upper face's appearance.
This procedure is ideal for those experiencing sagging brows or deep forehead lines. Brow contouring, on the other hand, refines the shape and definition of the brows without significant elevation, perfect for those looking to enhance their natural brow shape without a dramatic change. The main function is to restore stabilit to the brow to maintain proper distance between the brow and the eyelash. During your consultation, Dr. Cole will help you determine which procedure best suits your aesthetic goals. Whether you need a subtle enhancement or a more pronounced lift, Dr. Cole’s expertise ensures that you receive a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. His patient-centric approach guarantees that you will understand the benefits and outcomes of each option, empowering you to make an informed decision.
Many patients are concerned about the “Angry Birds” look caused by low or sagging brows. This common issue can make individuals appear perpetually angry or stern, even when they are not.
By adjusting the brow position, we can soften your expression and create a more approachable and youthful appearance, eliminating the unintended harsh look. Dr. Cole’s precise technique ensures that the brows are recontoured to a natural and aesthetically pleasing position. This adjustment not only improves facial harmony but also boosts confidence. Patients often remark on how a subtle lift can dramatically change their overall expression, making them look more friendly and vibrant.
At Oculus Plastic Surgery, we utilize cutting-edge technology to achieve the best results. One of the advanced tools we use is the endoscope, a minimally invasive instrument that allows Dr. Cole to perform precise brow lifts with smaller incisions and quicker recovery times.
This technology ensures less scarring in an unseen location and a more comfortable experience for the patient. In addition to the endoscope, we incorporate laser technology in our procedures. Lasers are used to tighten the skin and reduce scarring, providing a smoother and more refined result. These technologies, combined with Dr. Cole's expertise, offer patients the most effective and innovative solutions in facial plastic surgery.
A well-performed brow lift is integral to maintaining harmony with the upper eyelids. This balance is crucial for a natural and cohesive look.
Dr. Cole's expertise ensures that the brow lift procedure complements and enhances the appearance of the upper lids, creating a balanced and natural look. This holistic approach prevents the "pulled" appearance and promotes a rejuvenated, yet subtle transformation. By focusing on the relationship between the brows and upper eyelids, Dr. Cole can achieve results that are both aesthetically pleasing and functionally beneficial. Patients often notice an improvement in their field of vision and an overall more youthful appearance. This comprehensive approach to facial harmony is what sets Dr. Cole apart from other surgeons.
Dr. Cole uses the exclusive "Inside Out" technique, which eliminates visible scarring and ensures a natural lift. This innovative method involves working from within, making incisions that are hidden and less noticeable.
Patients benefit from quicker recovery times and a more natural appearance post-surgery. Our no-scar approach further distinguishes us from other practices. By utilizing advanced technologies and techniques, Dr. Cole can achieve exceptional results without the worry of visible scars. This commitment to innovative and patient-friendly methods ensures that every patient receives the highest standard of care. Dr. Cole likes to say that he treats every patient like they’re “allergic” to both pain and scarring.
Our brow lift procedures are designed to meet the needs of a diverse audience. We welcome patients of all ages, genders, and ethnicities, ensuring that everyone can benefit from our advanced aesthetic solutions.
Whether you're looking to combat the signs of aging or refine your natural features, our team is here to help. Dr. Cole understands that each patient is unique, and his personalized approach ensures that your individual aesthetic goals are met. By embracing diversity in beauty, we are able to provide customized treatments that enhance your natural beauty and boost your confidence.
What to expect during a Brow Lift
Oculus Plastic Surgery is proud to offer our popular endoscopic brow lift using the latest tools and techniques in the industry. Dr. Cole uses a small fiber-optic lens during surgery, which is attached to a camera and connected to a monitor screen. Half-inch incisions are made for the insertion of lasers and retractors.
We perform the procedure while viewing the monitor to make outcomes more consistent and precise. The brow position is slightly overcorrected at the lateral brow side toward the ear time of surgery in order to account for some tissue relaxation that occurs during recovery. The end result is a relaxed appearance that preserves the distance between the brow and eyelashes, which means you can appear more rested and youthful in the most natural ways possible. Dr. Cole always likes to term this procedure as a brow recontouring and stabilizing procedure, not really a lifting procedure.
A Noticeable Difference
While the full effects of a brow shaping procedure may not be noticeable for several months, you should see a difference almost immediately. Your forehead and brow area will appear smoothed, lifted, and younger.
Within 10 to 14 days after a brow lift Atlanta patients will be able to return to most of their pre-operative activities. However, up to three weeks may be needed for the tissues to heal completely. A facial plastic surgeon of Dr. Cole’s level knows how to minimize scarring by strategically placing small incisions and utilizing endoscopic techniques and a laser for the access sites. There are a few different types of brow lift procedures, the most common of which are the open, restricted incision, and endoscopic methods. Dr. Cole can help you decide which option is ideal for your individual facial condition and short- and long-term objectives.
Healing at Your Own Pace
No one wants to have a serious, fatigued, or unapproachable appearance. If this sounds like you, your forehead may be to blame. Eyebrows that sag excessively onto the top eyelids, whether as a natural part of aging or because of genetics, can take away from a bright, youthful appearance.
In order to give his patients in Atlanta, Georgia, a more relaxed and approachable look, board-certified eye and facial plastic surgeon Dr. Harvey "Chip" Cole, III, M.D., F.A.C.S., performs brow recontouring surgery using endoscopic techniques that are as minimally invasive as possible. Patients from all over the metro area, including Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Roswell, and Dunwoody, seek out Dr. Cole for his brow recontouring surgical expertise. Dr. Cole frequently has his patients come to Atlanta from across the country and abroad.
Investing in a brow lift is investing in your confidence and appearance, with long-lasting results that can significantly improve your quality of life. The combination of brow stabilization with upper eyelid surgery is analogous to having to secure a curtain rod so the curtain is able to hang properly. Please see the cost page for current investment amounts.
Dr. Harvey "Chip" Cole has dedicated his career to enhancing the lives of his patients through facial plastic surgery. With over 35 years and over 40,000 surgical procedures of experience, Dr. Cole has perfected his techniques to deliver natural and transformative results.
His passion for patient care and his innovative approach set him apart in the field. Each procedure is tailored to the individual's needs, ensuring a personalized experience that enhances both appearance and confidence. Dr. Cole's journey in facial plastic surgery began with a deep commitment to understanding the unique desires and concerns of each patient. His approach goes beyond just the physical changes; it's about boosting self-esteem and improving quality of life. Patients often share their life-changing experiences, highlighting how Dr. Cole’s compassionate care and expertise have helped them feel more confident and rejuvenated.
An endoscopic brow lift is a procedure we do to contour the brow by doing minimal access incisions. I can use two incisions about an inch long, completely hidden in the hair. That way you have no exposed scar on your face.
A traditional or old school brow lift versus a modern endoscopic new wave brow lift is that with an old brow lift, you get a larger scar and you get vertical elevation of your brow and it can make people look very surprised. A new endoscopic type brow lift is completely hidden in your hair and it contours your brow because the outer half of your brow tends to go down and with an endoscopic approach, you can contour your brow and make it look much more natural. It lasts longer and it's also no scar visible.
Essentially, everyone is a good candidate for a brow lift. One thing that's very nice about this approach is I see people in their 20s and 30s where they have a congenital kind of a heavy brow and they have what we call hooding on the side and it can open up their brow and make their eyes look a lot more rested. And the earlier you have it done, the longer it lasts. So the days of kind of waiting and doing a big procedure, one and done, are gone. I like to say, you know, sow as you grow and no one will know. So it's one of those things that the more natural you look, the longer it lasts. You have to start earlier to have that achieved.
The choice between an endoscopic and lateral brow lift depends on individual needs and goals. An endoscopic brow lift is less invasive, involves smaller incisions, and is ideal for addressing the entire forehead, providing a more comprehensive lift with minimal scarring and quicker recovery. Conversely, a lateral brow lift focuses on elevating the outer portion of the eyebrows, making it suitable for those with specific lateral sagging. Consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon is crucial to determine the best option based on the extent of brow sagging, skin elasticity, and desired outcomes.
An endoscopic brow lift is going to give you a semi-permanent change. When I say semi-permanent, I'm talking years, 10 to 15 years. When you do Botox, it is affecting the balance of the muscles. So the only way you're getting a lift with Botox is the muscle that pulls the brow down is being relaxed with the toxin. So the most you're going to get from Botox is three or four months. The other thing is you can do it one time and three or four months later do it again and your brow will act differently because it's not as precise. So when people have that Spock brow look like this with the V-brows, that's always from Botox. That's never from an endoscopic brow lift because if you do the brow contouring with an endoscope, there should be no evidence that you've had any surgery at all. You just look more rested. You don't have that Botox look.
When endoscopic procedures first started in the very early 90s, I was one of the pioneers and there were a handful of us across the country that were doing these. We were used to doing brow procedures where we lifted the brow vertically and once I discovered that it was more of a contouring, then you don't raise the hairline. You shift the outer brow and you re-contour it, but you don't do anything to the medial brow. So therefore, with modern endoscopic brow procedures and with experienced hands, you do not move the hairline.
Skin is not removed during an endoscopic brow lift, because what we're really doing is fighting gravity. You didn't just start growing new skin. What happened is everything shifted down. You can think of it very similar to if you had some wallpaper on a wall, and it started to lose some of its attachments, and it drooped down. You could literally re-glue the wallpaper, and if it was in good shape, you could use the same wallpaper. It's the same way with the endoscopic brow procedure. We're just recontouring the tissues, but we don't have to excise or remove skin to accomplish that.
An endoscopic brow lift will help with wrinkles, but there's a difference between dynamic wrinkles or wrinkles at rest. And what I mean by that is when we all smile, we have a circular muscle around our eye called the orbicularis muscle, and it's a sphincter muscle. So when we smile, we get some wrinkles. We want to have that. That's a natural expression. If you don't have it, it looks funny. People have what they call that mannequin look, where they've had too much Botox and they don't have natural expression. However, when you have wrinkles at rest, those are the ones that you would prefer not to have. So if you recontour and you don't have excess tissue on the upper eyelids, it helps relax horizontal forehead lines. The reason you get those is as you get wiser, or some people call older, and you have that heaviness, you tend to compensate and raise your brows. And when you raise your brows, you get those horizontal lines. So if you look in the mirror and you have some horizontal lines, that tells you right there that you're a good candidate to have an endoscopic brow lift.
When I perform an endoscopic brow lift, 90% of the time I do it with two one-inch access incisions. These incisions are placed in the hair and they heal very, very well and you don't get a scar or anything disfiguring. The other 10% I might need to do a more contouring and a little elevation on the outer brow and in that case I'll put two small one-inch vertical incisions up higher but they're also completely hidden in the hair. So the good news is if you're in the 90% with two incisions you're not going to have anything on your face. If you need to have a third and fourth, you still have it completely hidden in the hair and I've done this many, many times on people that are completely bald and you literally cannot even see the incision once it heals.
After an endoscopic brow contouring procedure, you can move your eyebrows completely normal. During the healing phase, it's like having a sprained ankle. You can move it, but it might be a little bit limited. But once it heals, which it's about 90% healed in one week, you can move your brow very naturally.
The recovery for an brow lift is fairly quick. I tell most people that you're about 85 to 90% healed at one week with a brow procedure. One of my favorite stories that I don't recommend, but I had a CNN anchor lady that had a brow procedure only endoscopically in the morning. And there was a news event that she was supposed to be off for three days. She got called in and she was on CNN Nightly News the same night she had a brow procedure that morning. She looked great. She did fantastic.
The typical recovery period is about one (80%) to two (90%) weeks, during which swelling and bruising will gradually subside. Most patients can return to their normal activities within this timeframe, although strenuous activities should be avoided for a bit longer.
As with any surgery, there are potential risks. However, Dr. Cole’s extensive experience minimizes these risks, ensuring safe and effective outcomes. Complications are rare, but they will be thoroughly discussed during your consultation.
Results can last up to fifteen years, depending on individual factors and lifestyle. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and skin care routine can help prolong the effects of the procedure.
Most patients experience minimal discomfort, which is managed with prescribed pain medication. Dr. Cole and his team will provide detailed aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth and comfortable recovery. Many of his patients only take extra-strength Tylenol for the healing discomfort. Rarely, some people will experience mild headaches as the deep tissues heal and reset.
Schedule your consultation with Atlanta’s premier facial plastic surgeon
Learn what’s possible with some of the most advanced techniques in the field today. During your consultation, Dr. Cole will use his extensive knowledge and experience to recommend an optimally beneficial treatment plan tailored to you. At Oculus Plastic Surgery, our honest and patient-focused approach ensures that every patient can achieve their best outcome.