What Is a Brow Lift?
A brow lift is a surgical procedure designed to address sagging or drooping eyebrows. It can also help smooth wrinkles on the forehead and improve the appearance of lines between the brows. Some brow lifts can even lower a high hairline and improve facial balance and harmony.
During a brow lift, a facial plastic surgeon makes incisions near the hairline, behind the ears or, in some cases, in the horizontal creases between brow and hairline. They then lift and reposition the skin and underlying muscles to create a refreshed appearance. Excess skin may be removed if needed.
Brow lifting can be performed using various techniques, each suited to different patient needs and desired outcomes. It is also common to combine the procedure with other facial rejuvenation surgeries, such as blepharoplasty or a facelift .
What Can Brow Lift Surgery Do?
In the hands of a skilled facial plastic surgeon, a brow lift can produce subtle yet significant improvements that effectively "lift" years off your appearance. The procedure can:
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Reposition a low or sagging brow
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Reduce the appearance of horizontal forehead lines
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Restore a more arched brow shape
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Minimize frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines)
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Lift sagging skin that may be hooding the upper eyelids
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Create a happier, friendlier and more alert facial expression
Everyone's face ages uniquely, and the benefits of a brow lift may vary from person to person. Your surgeon will carefully assess your facial structure and goals to determine if a brow lift is the right procedure for you and what specific results you can expect.
What Doesn't a Forehead Lift Do?
While a brow lift can significantly improve the appearance of your forehead and eyebrows, it cannot address all signs of facial aging. Here are some limitations of this procedure:
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Does not address facial volume loss: If you have significant facial volume loss due to aging, fat grafting or dermal fillers may be more suitable for your needs.
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Does not address skin texture issues or discoloration: For concerns such as sun damage or pigmentation, treatments like laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels or microneedling may be necessary.
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Does not address dynamic wrinkles: Dynamic wrinkles, caused by repeated facial movements, may not be significantly improved by a brow lift. Injectable neurotoxins like Botox are designed for this purpose.
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Does not change your underlying bone structure: A brow lift cannot alter the shape or size of your facial bones. If this is a goal for you, consider facial implants.
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Does not directly impact the eyelids: Although a brow lift may indirectly improve the appearance of the eyes, it does not directly target drooping upper eyelids. Eyelid surgery may be recommended if this is a concern.
If you have multiple concerns, your facial plastic surgeon may recommend a combination of procedures, such as a brow lift and facelift, to achieve your desired results.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Brow Lift?
Ideal candidates for a forehead lift are individuals who:
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Have noticeably sagging or drooping eyebrows
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Are in good overall health
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Do not have an underlying health condition that could complicate the procedure
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Have realistic expectations of the limitations and potential outcomes of the procedure
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Are non-smokers, as smoking can hinder healing and increase the risk of complications
A consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon is essential to determine if a brow lift is the right choice for you. During this appointment, your surgeon will evaluate your facial structure, skin quality and goals to create a customized treatment plan.
How Can I Find a Qualified Facial Plastic Surgeon Near Me?
A facial plastic surgeon is the ideal choice for your brow lift procedure due to their focused training and expertise in surgeries of the face and neck. As specialists, facial plastic surgeons are afforded the opportunity to develop the deepest understanding of facial anatomy and surgical techniques, as well as a refined aesthetic sense specific to facial rejuvenation.
All AAFPRS members are board certified by a specialty board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, such as the American Board of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery or the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Many have also achieved board certification by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS), indicating the highest level of expertise and experience in this specialized field.
The AAFPRS offers an interactive search feature to help you find a qualified facial plastic surgeon near you.
FIND A FACIAL PLASTIC SURGEON NOW
What Should I Expect During My Forehead Lift Consultation?
A consultation with a facial plastic surgeon is the first step in your brow lift journey. During this appointment, you will have the opportunity to discuss your goals, ask questions and learn more about the procedure.
Here's what you can expect:
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Discussion of Your Goals: Be prepared to discuss your motivations for considering a brow lift, including specific concerns and desired outcomes.
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Medical History Review: Your surgeon will review your medical history, including any past surgeries, any medical conditions or allergies, and any medications or supplements you take.
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Physical Examination: Your surgeon will examine your face and take photographs for reference.
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Exploration of Your Brow Lift Options: Your surgeon will evaluate whether you are a good brow lift candidate and discuss the different techniques that may be suitable for you.
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Realistic Expectations: Your surgeon will discuss the potential benefits and limitations of a brow lift, as well as the risks and recovery process.
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Process Overview: Your surgeon will inform you of what you need to do to prepare for your surgery, what will take place during the procedure and what you can expect to experience after.
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Cost and Financing: You will discuss the cost of the procedure and any available financing options.
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Answering Your Questions: Come prepared with questions about the surgeon's experience, credentials and complication rates.
By the end of your consultation, you should have a clear understanding of whether a brow lift is right for you and what to expect from the procedure. You should also feel confident in your choice of surgeon. This sets the stage for a positive experience and optimal results.
What Are the Different Types of Brow Lift?
The choice of brow lift technique depends on factors such as your facial structure, hairline, degree of brow drooping and personal goals. Your facial plastic surgeon will recommend an approach that will yield the best cosmetic results with the least scarring.
These are some of the most common types of brow lift:
Endoscopic Brow Lift
An endoscopic brow lift is a minimally invasive procedure that involves making short incisions near the hairline. A small camera and surgical instruments are inserted through these incisions to lift and reposition the underlying muscles and skin. This is a newer technique that often results in less scarring and a shorter recovery time compared to older techniques.
Open Brow Lift
An open (or coronal) brow lift involves making a longer incision behind the hairline. This technique allows for more direct access to the forehead muscles and skin, making it suitable for individuals with more significant sagging or wrinkles.
Temporal Brow Lift
A temporal brow lift is a less invasive option that involves making incisions at the temples. This technique is often used to address mild to moderate brow droop concentrated in the outer part of the eyebrows. This procedure does not address the central area of the brow.
Pretrichial Brow Lift
A pretrichial brow lift elevates the brows through an incision made at or just behind the hairline. This placement preserves the hair follicles along the incision line. A strip of skin and deeper tissue is then removed. This approach tends not to elevate the hairline and may even be used to lower it if desired.
Mid-Forehead Brow Lift
In a mid-forehead brow lift, incisions are made in horizontal creases in the center of the forehead. This technique is best-suited for individuals with more pronounced forehead creases, often men, that can hide the resulting scars. It can also be a good choice for patients with high hairlines or baldness who cannot conceal scars in their hairline.
Direct Brow Lift
A direct brow lift is a less common technique that involves making incisions directly above the eyebrows. This approach provides direct access to the brow muscles and skin. Direct brow lifts are typically used for individuals with severe brow sagging, a significant degree of asymmetry or those who have previously undergone unsuccessful brow lift procedures.
How Should I Prepare for Brow Lift Surgery?
Your facial plastic surgeon will provide you with specific pre-operative instructions tailored to your individual needs. Below are some general guidelines to follow:
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Schedule time off work and social activities to allow for proper recovery
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Stop smoking and limit alcohol consumption
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Make any necessary medication adjustments recommended by your surgeon
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Eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep and stay hydrated to optimize your health
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Create a comfortable and relaxing space at home for your recovery
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Stock up on any necessary recovery supplies, such as ice packs, gauze and medications
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Arrange for someone you to trust to drive you home from the surgery and provide support during your early recovery
Follow your surgeon’s guidelines closely. Proper preparation sets the stage for a safe procedure, healthy recovery and beautiful results.
What Are the Steps of a Forehead Lift Procedure?
Anesthesia
A brow lift is typically performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. The choice of anesthesia will depend on the complexity of the surgery, the surgeon’s preferences and the patient’s preferences.
Incisions
The placement and length of the incisions will vary depending on the type of brow lift being performed. The surgeon will carefully plan the incisions to minimize visible scarring and ensure natural-looking results.
Adjustments
Once the incisions are made, the surgeon will carefully lift and reposition the underlying muscles and tissues that contribute to brow drooping. This may involve releasing tension in specific muscles or removing excess tissue.
Incision Closure
After adjusting the underlying tissues, the surgeon will redrape the skin and close the incisions with sutures or staples.
Bandaging and Dressing
The surgeon may apply a bandage to the forehead to protect the incisions and minimize swelling. The patient is then transferred to a recovery area to be monitored while the anesthesia wears off.
What Should I Expect After My Brow Lift?
You will experience a certain amount of swelling and bruising in the 10-day period following surgery. In some patients, this condition may include the cheek and eye area as well as the forehead. Any prolonged bruising can be camouflaged with standard makeup techniques.
You will be advised to keep your head elevated in order to reduce swelling. Cold compresses may further reduce swelling.
As the incisions heal, you may experience some numbness as well as itching, both of which should diminish with time. The sutures are usually removed within seven to 10 days following surgery. If bandages have been used, they are removed in one to three days.
It is important to follow the advice of your surgeon on resuming normal activities. For most patients, the recovery time should not exceed two weeks, but patients may still be advised to avoid strenuous activities for longer periods.
What Results Can Be Achieved With Brow Lift Surgery?
A brow lift can significantly improve the appearance of your forehead and eyebrows. The goal is not to create an unrealistic or unnatural appearance. Instead, the procedure aims to restore a more youthful and refreshed version of yourself.
Final results are evident in about six months. While individual outcomes vary, the results may include:
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Reduced appearance of wrinkles and lines on the forehead
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Softening of frown lines between the brows
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Higher, more youthful-looking eyebrows
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Reduction of upper eyelid hooding
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Lowered position of a high hairline
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A more alert and refreshed facial appearance
Brow lifts are generally associated with minimal scarring. The incisions are typically placed within the hairline or behind the ears, where they are concealed. However, scars are part of any surgical procedure, and they are more noticeable for some people than others. Individual healing factors, skin type and adherence to aftercare instructions can influence the visibility of scars.
To see examples of brow lift results, you can visit our gallery or consult with a facial plastic surgeon. Your surgeon can show you before-and-after photos of their patients who have undergone the procedure.