What is a Temporal or Forehead Lift?

The upper face or forehead is typically very mobile and expressive. We express various emotions with our forehead and the muscles of expression combined with gravity (and genetics) may result in a low or sagging upper face and transverse forehead wrinkles. The smile muscles around the eyes also pull down on the outer forehead.  All of this can contribute to the appearance of being tired, low energy, or even annoyed.  A Temporal Lift (the lateral part of the forehead) or Forehead Lift can gently restore a more youthful appearance while maintaining your expression and enhancing your natural beauty.

Why Choose Dr. Pruitt for Your Forehead Lift?

If you’re looking for one of the best forehead lifts in Dallas, Dr. Pruitt is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in facelift and neck lift surgery and has thousands of successful surgeries to his credit. For over 20 years, he has achieved natural-looking results using state-of-the-art, gentle, minimally invasive techniques and cutting-edge fiberoptic technology to reduce downtime and discomfort. As such, he has drawn high-profile clients to his practice from across the globe, including national TV personalities, celebrities, CEOs, politicians, professional athletes, and many others.

Dr. Pruitt has repeatedly been named in D Magazine as the best plastic surgeon in Dallas as well as called a “Texas Super Doctor” by Texas Monthly. He has been voted by his peers as one of America’s Best Doctors for many consecutive years in an annual national survey. Dr. Pruitt’s work has been featured in many leading publications, including D Magazine, D Beauty, New Beauty, and Texas Monthly, to name a few. In addition, he regularly teaches and gives lectures to other plastic surgeons on his facelift and neck lift techniques.

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Dr. Pruitt with a female patient while she looks in a handheld mirror

*Actual Facelift Patient

Is the Forehead Lift Right for Me?

The best way to determine whether you are a good candidate for a temporal or forehead lift is to meet with Dr. Pruitt for a detailed consultation and examination. He will assess your medical history, review your aesthetic goals, and weigh any risk factors that may be present. Ideal candidates for surgery are in good health, have significant forehead ptosis or droop and/or forehead lines, do not smoke, and have realistic expectations for their results. Forehead or Temporal Lift is often combined with other facial procedures to enhance your overall facial rejuvenation result.

You are likely to be a good candidate for a forehead lift in Dallas with Dr. Pruitt (also known as an “upper facial lift”) if you wish to address the following:

  • Lines, creases, or sagging skin across the forehead
  • Drooping skin or tissues above the eyelids
  • A tired, annoyed, or sad appearance around the eyes and forehead

What are the Benefits of a Forehead Lift? 

We’ve loved sharing the variety of benefits of the forehead lift with our patients. But it’s always important to determine if this procedure aligns with your aesthetic goals. Here are some key advantages to consider:

  • Reduces significant ptosis or droop in the forehead, resulting in a more youthful and revitalized appearance.
  • Smoothes lines, creases, and sagging skin across the forehead, leading to a more refreshed look.
  • Addresses drooping skin or tissues above the eyelids, which can contribute to a tired or annoyed appearance around the eyes and forehead.
  • Achieves natural-looking results using state-of-the-art, minimally invasive techniques that minimize discomfort and downtime.
  • Enhancing overall facial rejuvenation by combining a forehead lift with other complementary procedures for comprehensive results.

Your Forehead Lift Consultation

Prior to the day of your actual surgery, you will typically have another time with Dr. Pruitt called a “Preoperative Consultation."

His nurse educator will go over all of the details of your procedures and what to expect. She will also go over specifics such as where to be and at what time, what to wear, and all of your post-operative instructions. In addition, Dr. Pruitt will meet with you to confirm and finalize the aesthetic surgical plan that is unique to your needs and answer any other questions. They will put your mind at ease and let you know that you are in their very experienced hands.

The Day of Your Forehead Lift or Temporal Lift

Dr. Pruitt performs most surgeries using IV sedation and local anesthesia rather than general anesthesia. He feels that in many cases this reduces risks and expedites recovery. An experienced anesthesia professional will monitor your safety throughout your session, ensuring comfort and peace of mind. A temporal lift or forehead lift typically takes about an hour to complete.

Incision lines vary depending upon your unique facial shape, hairline, genetics and degree of aging. They are placed to make them the least noticeable to any casual observer. (He can go over your specific plan preoperatively.) Dr. Pruitt will then gently lift and reposition sagging tissues for a better aesthetic or simply a more youthful appearance.

Recovering After Your Forehead Lift

The recovery period that follows your forehead lift will typically be relatively brief, and most patients resume their normal routines after a few days to a week. Dr. Pruitt recommends that you keep your head elevated for several days after the procedure. Other specifics of the post operative period will be discussed at length and written instructions given prior to your procedure. You will need about two to three weeks of recovery. Dr. Pruitt will schedule regular follow-up visits to ensure your healing remains on track for a beautiful result.

When you are ready to get started, contact Dr. Pruitt at his Dallas location, and set up your appointment with a helpful member of his team.

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Forehead Lift FAQ

How does Dr. Pruitt’s approach to a forehead lift differ from other surgeons?

Can a forehead lift be combined with other facial procedures?

Will a forehead lift affect my ability to make facial expressions?

How does a forehead lift impact vision?

What type of anesthesia is used for a forehead lift?

Will my hairline change after a forehead lift?

How long after a forehead lift can I resume exercise?

Does a forehead lift help with chronic forehead tension or headaches?

What is Dr. Pruitt’s post-operative care approach?

How does Dr. Pruitt’s approach to a forehead lift differ from other surgeons?

Dr. Pruitt emphasizes minimally invasive techniques whenever possible, utilizing precision-based methods to achieve natural, long-lasting results with minimal scarring. His experience and artistic eye allow him to customize the procedure to each patient’s facial structure and goals.

Can a forehead lift be combined with other facial procedures?

Yes. Many patients choose to combine a forehead lift with eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), facelift, or laser resurfacing to achieve a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation. During your consultation, Dr. Pruitt will assess your needs and recommend a tailored approach.

Will a forehead lift affect my ability to make facial expressions?

No. Dr. Pruitt’s expertise ensures that the procedure enhances your natural appearance without making you look 'frozen' or overly lifted. His technique allows for natural brow movement and facial expression while reducing sagging and wrinkles.

How does a forehead lift impact vision?

For patients with heaviness in the upper eyelids due to sagging brows, a forehead lift can help improve peripheral vision and reduce the need for frequent eyebrow lifting, which can cause forehead strain over time.

What type of anesthesia is used for a forehead lift?

Dr. Pruitt typically performs this procedure under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the case and patient preference. He prioritizes patient comfort and safety throughout the surgery.

Will my hairline change after a forehead lift?

Dr. Pruitt uses advanced techniques to preserve the natural hairline whenever possible. For patients concerned about hairline recession, he can adjust the surgical approach to maintain or slightly lower the hairline.

How long after a forehead lift can I resume exercise?

Most patients can return to light activities within a few days and moderate exercise after 2–3 weeks. However, strenuous activity should be avoided for about four to six weeks to allow for optimal healing.

Does a forehead lift help with chronic forehead tension or headaches?

Yes, some patients experience relief from forehead strain and tension headaches after surgery, as the procedure reduces the need to unconsciously lift the brows throughout the day.

What is Dr. Pruitt’s post-operative care approach?

Dr. Pruitt provides concierge-level post-operative care to ensure a smooth recovery. This includes detailed aftercare instructions, follow-up appointments, and personalized recommendations to enhance healing and long-term results.

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