Temporal. Endoscopic. Trichophytic. Coronal. Brow lift consultations come with a vocabulary of their own, and each of those 4 words describes a different technique.
Dr. Kirk Lozada offers all 4 at our office in Philadelphia. This guide explains what each one does, how a temporal brow lift vs. an endoscopic brow lift differs in reach, and what decides which one is right for you.
One Goal, Four Routes
Every brow lift raises a brow that’s dropped. These 4 techniques share that goal, they just take different routes to it. The main difference between them is where we place the incisions.
There are 3 terms that are helpful to know. The outer third is the section of the brow that extends toward the temple. The central brow is the section above the inner eye, which sits close to the muscles behind frown lines. The frontal hairline is the front edge of your scalp hair, and it marks where the forehead ends.
Each technique reaches a different combination of those areas.
The Temporal Lift Works on the Outer Third
A temporal brow lift raises the outer third of the brow through incisions above each temple, behind the hairline. The outer brow tends to drop first, creating heaviness at the outer corner of the eye.
Because the technique works on one region, it comes in contact with less of the forehead than the approaches that cross it. The center of the brow stays put. This is also known as a lateral temporal lift.
The Endoscopic Lift Moves the Whole Brow
An endoscopic brow lift moves the entire brow and forehead through small incisions inside the hairline, guided by an endoscope. It reaches the center of the brow and the muscles behind frown lines, which a temporal lift leaves alone. That wider access is the practical difference in a temporal brow lift vs endoscopic brow lift.
We’ve covered the mechanics of this one in detail in another piece of patient education, if you want the step-by-step: how an endoscopic brow lift is performed.
The Trichophytic Lift Protects Forehead Height
During a trichophytic brow lift, your surgeon places the incision along the front edge of the hairline, so the brow rises while the forehead keeps its length. Forehead height is the reason this technique exists. Approaches that work from behind the hairline can shift it backward as they lift.
The incision sits at the hairline, rather than behind it, which puts it in a more exposed position than the other approaches use. Hair grows forward through the scar line over time, which can soften its appearance.
The Coronal Lift Is the Traditional Approach
A coronal brow lift uses one incision across the top of the scalp, running roughly ear to ear. It gives the surgeon the widest access to the forehead of the 4 techniques.
We use smaller-incision approaches for most cases now, but the coronal lift stays in the rotation for specific anatomy. A heavy brow paired with a low, dense hairline gives the incision somewhere to hide and gives the surgeon room to work.
The tradeoff is in the length of the incision and where it leaves a scar. Dr. Lozada can talk through the benefits and drawbacks of each option before recommending an approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
You have the vocabulary: temporal, endoscopic, trichophytic, and coronal. These answers cover how Dr. Lozada matches one to your anatomy.
What decides which brow lift technique I get?
Dr. Lozada evaluates brow position, hairline pattern, and forehead anatomy before recommending an approach. However, the position of your hairline determines where an incision can hide, and forehead height determines what a lift does to your proportions.
The deciding factor in a temporal brow lift vs. endoscopic brow lift choice is how much of the brow has dropped and which part. The same measurement sets the scope of your brow lift surgery in Philadelphia.
Can a brow lift change where my hairline sits?
It can, depending on the technique. Approaches that lift from behind the hairline can move it backward slightly. The trichophytic technique exists to avoid that outcome, placing the incision at the front edge of the hairline instead. Dr. Lozada measures and discusses your hairline during the consultation, before choosing the technique.
What should I ask during a brow lift consultation?
Start with which technique Dr. Lozada recommends for your brow and why. Then ask where each incision would sit given your hairline, and what a temporal brow lift vs. endoscopic brow lift could change for you.
Bring Your Questions to Dr. Lozada
Dr. Lozada takes time to explain each option and why a certain one would fit your anatomy. Book a consultation, or contact our Philadelphia-based team with questions.
