Eyes and Brows

Your eyes and brows affect your overall facial balance. With time, aging, genetics, and sun exposure, changes to the eyes and brows can develop, leading to a tired or aging look. At Guelph Facial Plastics, Dr. Matthew D. Brace offers advanced facial surgeries to rejuvenate the eyes and brows, for a youthful, refreshed, very natural looking outcome.

Dr. Brace applying injectables to patient's eye brow

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)

Eyelid surgery, or “blepharoplasty,” is a transformative procedure to correct sagging or drooping eyelids, puffy under-eye bags, or excess skin around the eyes. Dr. Brace skillfully performs this delicate surgery to remove excess skin and fat from the upper and lower eyelids, resulting in a refreshed, more youthful eye appearance. With incisions hidden to ensure scars are inconspicuous, the end result is brighter, more alert look.

BlepharoplastyBefore & After

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Brow lift (forehead lift)

A brow lift, or forehead lift, elevates the position of the eyebrows, smooths forehead creases, or corrects a heavy or overhanging brow. As the years pass, the brows often drift lower, creating a heavy, aging or unhappy look. Dr. Brace performs endoscopic, traditional, and modified brow surgery, to lift and reposition the tissues for a refreshed, more youthful brow and upper eye area.

What is a traditional brow lift?

A traditional brow lift, also known as a trichophytic brow lift, is a well-established surgical procedure, appropriate for some patients. During this technique, Dr. Matthew D. Brace creates a single continuous incision that spans along the top of the forehead at the hairline. Through this incision, he skillfully lifts and tightens the underlying tissues, repositioning the eyebrows to the youthful position above the brow ridge. Excess skin is removed to create a smoother, rejuvenated forehead appearance. The traditional brow lift is suitable for patients with significant forehead laxity, producing long-lasting results.

What is a modified brow lift?

A modified brow lift is a modification of traditional or endoscopic techniques tailored to the individual patient based on their desired outcome and their individual forehead size shape and brow position. Often these surgeries combine direct brow lift techniques with an incision along the top of the eyebrow hair or temporal brow lifts where the incision is hidden just behind the temporal hairline to lift the brow's tail. At times the incision may be placed directly in a deep forehead crease if the patient has no intention of using BOTOX to eliminate the crease. Any modified brow lifts result in a natural appearance but significant improvement in brow position with a near-invisible short scar.

Non-surgical brow lift with BOTOX

For patients not ready for surgery, BOTOX offers a temporary way to soften a heavy or low-set brow. By relaxing the small muscles that pull the eyebrows downward, BOTOX allows the frontalis muscle to lift the brow into a more open, refreshed position, often called a "chemical brow lift."

This approach works best for patients with mild to moderate brow heaviness or those who want to preview the effect of a lift before committing to surgery. Unlike an endoscopic or traditional brow lift, results are temporary, typically lasting three to four months, with no incisions and virtually no downtime.

Dr. Brace's precise, muscle-specific injection technique ensures the brow lifts subtly, avoiding an overdone or "surprised" appearance. For patients seeking a natural refresh without surgery, a chemical brow lift with BOTOX can be a simple first step.

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Combined procedures for comprehensive facial rejuvenation

For patients seeking a comprehensive facial rejuvenation, eyelid surgery and brow lift can be combined with other procedures. Dr. Brace customizes treatment plans to address individual concerns, offering procedures such as a facelift or neck lift to address sagging skin, double chin, jowls, or vertical neck bands. The combination of a brow lift and eyelid lift with these surgeries will result in a fresh, youthful, vibrant appearance. When under the care of Dr. Brace, these surgeries are performed to produce changes that are remarkably natural-looking – not overdone or obvious.

Who is a candidate for eye and brow surgeries?

Candidates for eyelid surgery and brow lift typically include those who have:
Drooping or sagging eyelids, which obstruct vision or create a tired, older appearance.
Puffy under-eye bags that give an aged or tired look.
Etched-in forehead creases and lines.
A heavy, overhanging brow.
A desire to achieve a more open and alert look.

Dr. Brace talks Cosmetic Eyelid Concerns

The Procedure Process and Recovery

In an initial consultation, Dr. Brace will carefully evaluate the patient’s facial anatomy, discuss their aesthetic goals, and recommend the most appropriate procedures. The surgical process for eyelid surgery and brow lift are always customized for the individual.

Recovery after a brow lift

After a brow lift, patients can anticipate a relatively swift and comfortable recovery process. The advanced techniques minimize tissue trauma, resulting in less postoperative discomfort and swelling. In the initial days following the procedure, patients may experience mild swelling and bruising around the forehead and eye area, which typically subsides within a week.

Most patients can resume light daily activities and work within a week, while strenuous exercises and activities should be avoided for several weeks to allow the tissues to heal fully. As the days and weeks pass, patients will enjoy a smoother, lifted brow and a youthful and refreshed facial appearance.

Recovery after eyelid surgery

The recovery process after eyelid surgery is generally swift and well-tolerated. After the procedure, there may be some mild swelling and bruising around the eyes, which subsides within one to two weeks in most cases. Dr. Brace carefully places incisions in the natural eyelid creases for minimal visible scarring that fades over time. The sutures are typically removed within 5 to 7 days.
Patients may experience some mild discomfort or tightness around the eyes during the initial recovery period, which can be managed with prescribed pain medication and cold compresses. Most patients can return to their daily activities, including work, within 7 to 10 days. However, it is advised to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercises for several weeks to promote optimal healing. As the eyes heal, patients will enjoy a revitalized and rejuvenated appearance, with the sagging excess upper eyelid skin removed or the reduction of under-eye puffiness.

Leader in facial plastic surgery

Dr. Matthew D. Brace is a distinguished facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon renowned for his exceptional qualifications and expertise in the field. He completed his residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, where he earned accolades, including the prestigious head and neck oncology award and resident teacher award. Dr. Brace’s dedication to continuous learning led him to pursue a fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Ohio State University, where he refined his skills under the guidance of the most respected experts in facial plastic surgery.

Dr. Brace’s passion for education and teaching is evident through his role as an adjunct faculty member in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at prestigious institutions, including McMaster University, the University of Western Ontario, and the University of Toronto.

He shares his knowledge and expertise with residents and fellow surgeons, contributing to the advancement of the field.

Patients seeking eye and brow procedures can trust Dr. Brace’s skilled hands and artistic vision to deliver natural-looking, transformative results. His commitment to personalized care and meticulous attention to detail ensures that each patient receives a tailored treatment plan to achieve their unique aesthetic goals. With Dr. Brace, patients can feel confident they are receiving top-tier care from a leading expert in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.