Facial Asymmetry

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am wondering if surgery could correct my facial asymmetry? I have multiple scars across my forehead, most notably over my right eye. I lost skin and underlying tissue in the area and the eyebrow sits higher and at an odd angle compared to the left eyebrow. Due to the lost skin and tissue, the eyebrow and forehead area on the right side of my face are uneven with the left. I had a skin graft four years ago so that I could close my right eye, but there was excess skin from the graft which is noticeable when the eye is open or closed. Can facial symmetry be achieved in my case, and if so how?

A: I see three facial asymmetry issues that you have: 1) a higher eyebrow, 2) an eyebrow/brow bone contour deficiency and 3) excess skin of the eyelid. Lowering a higher eyebrow is very challenging to do and is often resistant to surgical efforts due to the fundamental loss of tissue and the tethering of underlying scar in your case. But that doesn’t mean it is impossible. I would recommend three  specific procedures to offer improvement to your orbit-brow asymmetry. An upper blepharoplasty to get rid of the redundant skin from the skin graft, 2) release of the eyebrow and 3) placement of a dermal-far graft on the brow bone. (to create better contour and help the brow release)

Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana