Eyebrow Lift (Forehead Lift)
What Is an Eyebrow Lift
An eyebrow lift, also known as a forehead lift, is a surgical procedure designed to raise sagging brows and smooth forehead wrinkles for a more refreshed, youthful appearance. As we age, the forehead and brow area gradually descend, which can make us look tired or upset even when we feel perfectly alert. The forehead is one of the first areas of the face to show visible signs of aging. Over time, collagen and elastin in the skin break down, and the muscles that elevate the brow weaken. This leads to brow descent, deep horizontal forehead lines, and pronounced frown lines (glabellar creases) between the eyebrows. In some patients, the lateral or outer portion of the brow drops more than the inner portion, creating a hooded appearance over the outer corners of the eyes.
The primary goal of a brow lift is to elevate the eyebrows back to a more youthful, anatomically appropriate position. This procedure also smooths forehead creases, softens frown lines, and opens up the eye area to create a more alert and approachable look. Our oculoplastic surgeon tailors the degree of lift to each patient's facial proportions, avoiding an overdone or surprised expression. According to clinical data, 90 to 95 percent of patients report satisfaction with endoscopic brow lift results (Clinical data, 2025).
While many patients pursue a brow lift for cosmetic reasons, the procedure can also serve a functional purpose. Severely drooping brows may push excess skin onto the upper eyelids, narrowing the visual field and making everyday activities like reading or driving more difficult. In these cases, a brow lift can improve both appearance and peripheral vision.
Who Is a Good Candidate
A brow lift is appropriate for adults who are bothered by forehead sagging, deep wrinkles, or brow heaviness that no longer responds to nonsurgical treatments. You may be a good candidate if you notice that your eyebrows sit at or below the brow bone, creating a heavy or tired look. Other indicators include deep horizontal forehead lines that persist even at rest, prominent frown lines between the brows, and excess skin gathering at the outer corners of the eyes due to lateral brow descent.
Ideal candidates are in good overall health, do not smoke, and have realistic expectations about what the surgery can achieve. During your consultation, we review your medical history, current medications, and any previous facial surgeries to determine whether a brow lift is the safest and most effective option for your goals.
Patients with certain medical conditions that impair healing, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or active scalp infections may need to address those issues before proceeding. If your concerns are limited to mild forehead lines or crow's feet without significant brow descent, nonsurgical options such as Botox treatments around the eyes may deliver the improvement you are looking for without surgery.
Types of Brow Lift Procedures
The endoscopic technique is the most commonly performed brow lift today. It uses several small incisions hidden behind the hairline, through which a thin camera (endoscope) and specialized instruments are inserted. The surgeon releases the tissues holding the brow in its descended position, elevates them to a higher level, and secures them with small anchoring devices. This approach results in minimal scarring and a faster recovery compared to traditional methods.
A coronal brow lift involves a single incision that runs from ear to ear across the top of the scalp, hidden within the hair. This technique provides the most significant lift and is well suited for patients with substantial brow ptosis (drooping) and deep forehead creases. Because the incision is longer, recovery may take slightly more time, and the procedure can raise the hairline.
A temporal lift, also called a lateral brow lift, targets only the outer portion of the brow. Short incisions are placed within the temples, and the outer brow is elevated to reduce hooding at the corners of the eyes. In a direct brow lift, an incision is made along the upper border of the eyebrow, and a small amount of skin is removed to raise the brow. This technique is typically reserved for older patients or those with very thick eyebrows that can conceal the incision line.
Our oculoplastic surgeon selects the technique that will achieve the most natural-looking result for your unique anatomy. Factors such as forehead height, hairline position, skin thickness, and the degree of brow descent all influence which approach we recommend. During your consultation, we discuss the advantages and tradeoffs of each option so you can make a confident, well-informed decision.
How an Endoscopic Brow Lift Works
Before surgery, we perform a thorough evaluation of your forehead, brow, and upper eyelid anatomy. You will receive instructions on which medications and supplements to avoid in the weeks leading up to your procedure, as some can increase the risk of bleeding. We also take detailed photographs to plan the optimal degree and direction of lift.
Three to five small incisions, each roughly one centimeter long, are made behind the hairline. Through these openings, the endoscope provides a magnified view of the underlying muscles and tissues. The corrugator and procerus muscles, which are responsible for frown lines, can be partially released to soften their pull. The brow tissues are then elevated and secured in their new position using dissolvable or permanent fixation devices.
An endoscopic brow lift is typically performed under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation with local anesthesia, and takes one to two hours to complete. Most patients go home the same day after a brief monitoring period. After surgery, a light dressing or headband is placed around the forehead to minimize swelling. You should keep your head elevated for the first several days and apply cold compresses as directed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients return to work and light daily activities within 10 to 14 days. Swelling and bruising are most noticeable during the first week and gradually resolve over the following two to three weeks. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least four weeks. Final results typically become apparent within two to three months as residual swelling fully subsides.
A brow lift raises the entire brow and smooths the forehead, while an upper blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) removes excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids themselves. Some patients benefit from one or the other, and many benefit from both procedures performed together. During your evaluation, we determine whether your upper eyelid heaviness is caused by brow descent, eyelid skin redundancy, or a combination of both.
Botox can produce a subtle brow elevation by relaxing the muscles that pull the brow downward, creating what is sometimes called a chemical brow lift. However, the effect is temporary, lasting three to four months, and the degree of lift is modest. For patients with significant brow ptosis or deep forehead creases, a surgical brow lift delivers more substantial and lasting correction than injectable treatments alone.
As with any surgical procedure, a brow lift carries risks including infection, bleeding, scarring, and temporary or permanent changes in sensation along the forehead or scalp. Asymmetry, hair loss near the incision sites, and overcorrection are less common but possible. We discuss all potential risks thoroughly during your preoperative consultation so you can weigh the benefits and make an informed choice.
A brow lift provides long-lasting results, with most patients enjoying the benefits for 10 to 15 years or longer. The aging process does continue after surgery, so some gradual brow descent will occur over time, but the forehead typically never returns to its pre-surgical position. Protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and using appropriate skincare can help prolong your results.
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