What is a Brow Lift?
A brow lift, also referred to as a forehead lift or forehead rejuvenation, is a popular surgical procedure used to correct sagging or asymmetrical eyebrows by raising the forehead. The surgery is also effective for smoothing forehead lines and wrinkles, depending on the type of brow lift.
There are many different techniques for brow lifts. While results are long-lasting, they are not permanent. Your skin continues to lose elasticity as you age. Some techniques are more invasive than others, and the right choice will depend on your specific needs. The procedure is helpful for those with deep forehead lines, as well as for people with low-set brows.
Brow Lift FAQs
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What are the different types of brow lifts?
Surgical brow lifts tighten the skin, reduce wrinkles, and make your eyes look larger to help you look younger. There are different types of brow lifts to consider, and the best choice will depend on the type of results that you want, as well as your hairline.
Coronal Brow Lift
A coronal brow lift is the longest-standing technique, and it is still used by plastic surgeons. The procedure involves a single incision that made from ear to ear along the hairline along the top of your forehead. Coronal brow lift is a good option if you have a smaller forehead. There is a risk of nerve damage with this technique that may cause facial numbness. This risk is why plastic surgeons prefer endoscopic lifts over coronal brow lifts. The technique, though, is more effective for correcting asymmetrical eyebrows, adjusting the length of the forehead, and for correcting deep frown lines.
Endoscopic Brow Lift
An endoscopic brow lift is the procedure that is favored by most surgeons. It is less invasive and requires only a series of small incisions. The surgeon makes four to five incisions behind the hairline. A small endoscope with a camera allows the surgeon to evaluate the forehead tissue and determine the best location for another incision. This subsequent incision is used to gently pull the skin taut and lift the forehead area. The endoscopic brow lift technique allows the surgeon to avoid the nerves that are close to the eyebrow area. Incisions are minimal, so patients experience less discomfort and have shorter recoveries. The technique also reduces the risk of numbness after the procedure.
An endoscopic brow lift can’t be used for treating horizontal wrinkles or asymmetrical eyebrows. It is not a good option if you have skin laxity.
Temporal Brow Lift
Also referred to as a lateral brow lift or limited incision lift, a temporal brow lift is a technique that only targets the outer third of the eyebrows (not the full brow area). This is the area where drooping tends to be most significant as we age. The procedure is often combined with an upper eyelid lift. The same incisions may be used to lift the area between the brows to smooth out frown lines. The incisions are slightly larger than with an endoscopic lift, and they are placed immediately behind the hairline. This is a low-risk procedure with a shorter recovery time, but the results aren’t as dramatic as other techniques.
Trans-Blepharoplasty Brow Lift
A trans-blepharoplasty brow lift is similar to a temporal brow lift. The brow is lifted through a blepharoplasty eyelid incision. This is considered a minimally-invasive technique, and it typically requires a shorter recovery time.
Trichophytic Brow Lift
A trichophytic brow lift is a popular option for patients who have higher hairlines. It involves removing part of the skin in the forehead area to lift the eyebrows. The incision is made behind the hairline to camouflage the scar.
Browpexy
Browpexy is a relatively new technique. It is used to raise the brow slightly, and it is usually performed in conjunction with an eyelid lift. There are two types of browpexy.
- Internal browpexy: Small incisions are made in the upper eyelid. Excess tissue and muscle is removed from the brow bone to lift the area.
- External browpexy: The incision is made over the eyebrow and excess tissue and muscle is removed.
As part of browpexy, the brow tissue is secured in place with sutures. Scarring is minimal, and a browpexy offers a significantly more affordable alternative to other brow lift techniques.
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What can I expect from the surgery?
Your surgeon recommends the best brow lift technique based on your facial structure and your aesthetic goals. Factors that are considered include any asymmetry in the brow area, depth of horizontal lines, forehead height, and your hair color and type.
All brow lift techniques involve incisions and lifting the skin, although the size and location of the incisions vary. Therefore, you are sedated for the duration of the surgery. Most brow lift techniques take under two hours. You go home the same day after a short time in recovery, but you will need someone to drive you home.
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What is the recovery period like?
After brow lift surgery, you will need to take approximately two weeks off from work to recover. The pain associated with a brow lift is typically minimal. Your surgeon may recommend non-prescription pain medication or prescribe a pain medication.
Expect to have some swelling and bruising. Your surgeon may recommend using cold compresses to manage the swelling. You may have bandages over the area that your surgeon may remove after one to two days. The sutures may be dissolvable, or you may need to return to the surgeon’s office to have them removed approximately seven to ten days after the surgery.
While you are healing, keep your head elevated. Avoid moving around too much for the first week. Avoid exercise for the first month.
Recovery from a brow lift takes approximately two to three weeks. As the incisions heal, you will see scars start to develop. Initially, the scars will be slightly pink. Over the next 12 months, the scars will change to closely match the natural color of your skin. Once the area is completely healed, the scars are slightly darker than the surrounding skin, yet barely noticeable due to the location.
You will see the initial results of your brow lift immediately after the surgery. The skin will be slightly tight due to swelling, so the results may look a bit too dramatic. After a few weeks, the tissues relax and swelling subsides. This is when you can start to see the final results of the surgery.
If you have had a coronal lift, you may experience some numbness on your scalp for a few months.
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How long does a forehead lift last?
An endoscopic browlift lasts approximately five years or less. The results of an endo-temporal lift may last five to seven years. Coronal brow lift surgery offers the longest-lasting results of more than ten years. Your skin continues to age, even after a brow lift. You may need a secondary brow lift to maintain the results. Your surgeon explains how you can maximize the longevity of the procedure.
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Are there any risks?
The risks involved with a forehead lift are considered low. There may be some visible scarring, temporary or permanent numbness, brow asymmetry, and hair loss at the incision site. Brow asymmetry typically resolves during the initial healing period. Other potential side effects include hematoma, nausea and vomiting from the anesthesia, and higher risk of infection or nerve damage.
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What is the best age for a brow lift?
Most people opt for a brow lift between the age of 40 and 65. The procedure is also performed on younger patients who have heavy brows or pronounced furrowing between the brows.
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What is the cost of a brow lift?
In IL the average cost of a forehead lift is approximately $4,000. The total cost depends on the cosmetic surgeon you choose, the technique, fees for the anesthesia and medical facilities, and other factors. Brow lifts are elective cosmetic procedures; therefore, the cost is not covered by health insurance. Because of this, many people consider the cost of the surgery as a high priority when choosing a plastic surgeon. While finding an affordable option is important, balance quality of care and results with the cost.
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Are there alternatives to a brow lift?
Brow lifts are performed in conjunction with an upper eyelid lift and/or a facelift to maximize the anti-aging benefits of the surgery. You may save money by having these procedures in the same surgical appointment, but the downtime and recovery will be longer.
Botox® is an alternative to a brow lift. The injections work by temporarily relaxing the muscles that cause lines in the forehead and eye area. The results are more subtle than a brow lift and last only four to six months. Your plastic surgeon may determine that your lines and wrinkles are too severe for Botox® injections and recommend a brow lift to correct a sagging brow and forehead area.
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Patient Testimonials
Read real reviews from the Anzolo community
Doctor who is into deceitful behavior
If you want to get maimed, mutilated and traumatized, Sidle is a great choice for all of that. I went to Sidle wanting to get a surgery to fix my deviated septum. I was always happy with the front profile of my nose for the most part, but I never really liked the side profile so while I was at it I decided to get a small 1-2mm bump shaved down as well as a minor reduction in the size of the tip. I figured hey, these are some small changes, I'm paying a ton of money for a surgeon at a reputable hospital, and I've seen people get cheap rhinoplasties go from horrid looking noses to beautiful noses so I'm sure nothing bad could happen. I was wrong. Biggest regret of my life.
One thing that really set off a red flag was without asking for my permission, he told me he tried a new technique on me after the surgery. He also told me he "straightened" my nose with extended spreader grafts which was something I never asked for. While I was pissed at the time turns out that's the least of my concerns.
As my nose healed from the surgery, it started looking droopy and my breathing which was the reason I went into him in the first place, was much worse than when I started. I told him and he offered to do a revision for free, and when I asked him about the process he said it would be while I was awake. That kind of set off red flags because I've never heard of anyone getting any kind of nose work done while awake but he assured me it was normal and that he does many revisions (which should have also been a red flag) that way. When the surgery was over, it did look less droopy but now I had a huge dent on the side of my nose, a huge swelling on the inside that completely blocked my breathing in one nostril, as he aggressively expanded valves, and a huge dent on the tip. Plus it just looks asymmetrical when you compare both side profiles. When I asked him about it, he said that the swelling blocking my breathing could just be an infection and the bumps and dents will go away and if not to come back to him and he will fix it easily. Now that I have entered the medical field myself looking back I am realizing how little his explanations made sense. I mean if there is an infection why didn't he give me antibiotics? Why didn't he have any concern for it spreading? How would an infection to the point of inflammation go away by itself with no medication? Either he was bullsh**ing about the infection thing to shut me up or he is grossly incompetent. I'm thinking it was the former because he seems smart enough.
None of these things resolved on their own, so I saw him again and what really alarmed me this time was how he completely changed his stories. He said the dent must have been there all along (no it wasn't) and he changed his story about the swelling from being a possible infection to denying he ever said that and saying it was scaring. He offered to fix just the scarring on the inside of my nose (said he could do nothing about the bump and dent) and I scheduled it, but the more I thought about it the more I realized that with all these red flags I'd be an idiot to let him touch my nose a third time and make things even worse so I backed out last minute. I will never let him touch me again.
I never felt self-conscious about my nose before the surgery except from the side, and ever since he touched it, now I have these annoying flaws that do make me feel self-conscious and it sucks. My nose doesn't even look like the initial imaging we came up with when I described what I wanted and it does not look as feminine as my original nose. Plus my breathing is so much worse than I started and I can't feel the tip of my nose anymore. I wasted my money, my time and my health with not one but two procedures from this fraud. There is no reversal of harm and damage that Sidle has done to me. At the end of the day, that psychopath has caused me so much injury, harm and trauma that nothing in the world that can remedy it. Avoid at all costs.
Kathy E. on Douglas Sidle, MD via AnzoloMed
Dishonest provider Sidle
Dishonest provider! I first went to Sidle wanting to get a surgery to fix my deviated septum. I was always happy with the front profile of my nose for the most part, but I never really liked the side profile so while I was at it I decided to get a small 1-2mm bump shaved down as well as a minor reduction in the size of the tip. I figured hey, these are some small changes, I'm paying a ton of money for a surgeon at a reputable hospital, and I've seen people get cheap rhinoplasties go from horrid looking noses to beautiful noses so I'm sure nothing bad could happen. I was wrong. Biggest regret of my life.
One thing that really set off a red flag was without asking for my permission, he told me he tried a new technique on me after the surgery. He also told me he "straightened" my nose with extended spreader grafts which was something I never asked for. While I was pissed at the time turns out that's the least of my concerns.
As my nose healed from the surgery, it started looking droopy and my breathing which was the reason I went into him in the first place, was much worse than when I started. I told him and he offered to do a revision for free, and when I asked him about the process he said it would be while I was awake. That kind of set off red flags because I've never heard of anyone getting any kind of nose work done while awake but he assured me it was normal and that he does many revisions (which should have also been a red flag) that way. When the surgery was over, it did look less droopy but now I had a huge dent on the side of my nose, a huge swelling on the inside that completely blocked my breathing in one nostril, as he aggressively expanded valves, and a huge dent on the tip. Plus it just looks asymmetrical when you compare both side profiles. When I asked him about it, he said that the swelling blocking my breathing could just be an infection and the bumps and dents will go away and if not to come back to him and he will fix it easily. Now that I have entered the medical field myself looking back I am realizing how little his explanations made sense. I mean if there is an infection why didn't he give me antibiotics? Why didn't he have any concern for it spreading? How would an infection to the point of inflammation go away by itself with no medication? Either he was bullshitting about the infection thing to shut me up or he is grossly incompetent. I'm thinking it was the former because he seems smart enough.
None of these things resolved on their own, so I saw him again and what really alarmed me this time was how he completely changed his stories. He said the dent must have been there all along (no it wasn't) and he changed his story about the swelling from being a possible infection to denying he ever said that and saying it was scaring. He offered to fix just the scarring on the inside of my nose (said he could do nothing about the bump and dent) and I scheduled it, but the more I thought about it the more I realized that with all these red flags I'd be an idiot to let him touch my nose a third time and make things even worse so I backed out last minute. I'd rather spend another 10,000 then let him touch it again.
I never felt self-conscious about my nose before the surgery except from the side, and ever since he touched it, now I have these annoying flaws that do make me feel self-conscious and it sucks. My nose doesn't even look like the initial imaging we came up with when I described what I wanted and it does not look as feminine as my original nose. Plus my breathing is much worse than I started and I can't feel the tip of my nose anymore. My nose is by no means hideous thank god, but I'm pissed because I just wanted very minor changes to fix some minor flaws and my nose looks worse than what I went in with which means I wasted my money and my time with not one but two procedures.
The reason I am writing this review now after a couple of years is because 1) its finally fully healed and the issues I had with it are still here 2) I now have to spend another 10,000 on a revision and take off from school again just because of these dents and bumps all over the place that are making me self conscious and most importantly to take care of my breathing going to shit after this surgery, 3) tbh,I didn't want people knowing I got a rhinoplasty so I was hesitant to write this review.
This time after meticulously interviewing several top surgeons to do my revision they all agreed the work was sloppy and there are definitely things that need to be fixed, so it's not just me being overdramatic. Lesson I learned is never let a surgeon touch your nose for very minor things especially if you were never self-conscious about it before because they have no accountability for how it turns out or for wasting your time and money. See Jennifer's review below, her experience was very similar to mine. Also,all the people who talked about him bullshitting you when things go wrong aka "infection".
Kathy E. on Douglas Sidle, MD via AnzoloMed
This was my second attempt (after 10 years) having liposuction done to my double chin. Dr. Sidle was recommended to me by my dermatologist (whom I adore and...
Florence Ann R. on Douglas Sidle, MD via Yelp
I'm a busy professional with a demanding schedule so I was concerned with advanced planning, responsiveness and making sure that I received the best...
Jorge L. on Douglas Sidle, MD via Yelp