Understanding Brow Ptosis

Brow ptosis describes a condition in which the forehead and eyebrows droop to a lower than natural position, causing heaviness or puffiness in the upper eyelids.

The eyes, as a consequence, look hooded, lifeless and tired. The most common cause of brow ptosis is natural ageing. The muscle which usually keeps the forehead elements up, frontalis, slowly loses the battle to gravity and age. The overlying skin also becomes more lax and the bone of the brow loses volume; compounding the droop and drop. Rarely, brow ptosis may be due to other causes such paralysis or weakening of the frontalis muscles secondary to facial nerve pathology like Bell’s palsy or surgical trauma.

Brow-lifting is a surgical procedure in which the skin and muscles of the forehead are pulled upwards, countering the effects of brow ptosis thus correcting drooping eyebrows and age-related frown lines. The Endotine TransBleph procedure is an innovative new way of performing brow-lifts, making use of patented technology for dramatic upper face rejuvenation. The procedure takes about 1.5 hours and can be performed under either local or general anaesthesia. In this procedure, small incisions identical to those used in upper eyelid surgery will be made. Traditional surgical brow-lifting methods may pull back an already receding hairline and lengthen an already high forehead. The Endotine TransBleph technique approaches the area from the bottom, effectively shortening the forehead, giving a more youthful look as a result. The TransBleph procedure involves the use of patented absorbable devices known as Endotine Implants. These are small devices featuring proprietary MultiPoint Technology (MPT™) which serve to anchor soft tissues in surgical lifting procedures and replace the need for traditional suture or screw fixation methods. The Endotines achieve fixation of tissues through multiple points of attachment, allowing for a secure, stronger lift while affording a more even distribution of tension as compared to traditional stitches or screws. This decreases the chances of stretching and tearing the soft tissues leading to a more predictable, durable and effective result.

The Endotine TransBleph procedure is a safe, fairly minor procedure. Patients need only take the usual pre-operative precautions. For example, patients are required to stop taking aspirin and other blood-thinning medications for a full two weeks prior to surgery. A pre-operative consultation with the Singapore plastic surgeon in-charge is also necessary, during which patient’s condition will be carefully assessed and their expectations discussed. The patient will be counselled on the precise details of their surgery. Post-surgery, the patient will be lightly bandaged for a few days and stitches will be removed on the fifth day. There may be some mild temporary bruising and swelling which mostly settles within the first week.