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 AL 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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I absolutely love Dr. Light and his staff! I recently got a Dermaplane and lip filler! So thankful that my friend Bridget Taylor recommended Dr. Light and his staff! I could not be happier with my results and plan to go back soon for more filler ☺️
Ashley Penley on Benjamin Light, Dr via Google Reviews
I was having trouble with sinus infections that would come back every time I stopped antibiotics. My breathing was also poor and when I got a small cold it would almost always turn into a sinus infection. Dr. Light offered a surgical option to fix my nose and maxillary sinus problems. I don't go for surgery without weighing the pros and cons, but in my case, it was pretty clear that something needed to be done. This was several years back, and I can honestly say that the surgery Dr. Light did for me improved my life. I get sick much less often now, and when I do, it's much easier to get over it. I can also breathe a lot better than before. I found Dr. Light to be excellent in all my interactions with him, and I appreciate the care I received at his practice. Highly recommended.
G. Forsythe on Benjamin Light, Dr via Google Reviews
So many good reviews, I'm not sure why my experience was so different than others'. I arrived a bit before my appointment time to be sure I had time for paperwork. The waiting room was pretty full, and every person, including many who came in an hour after me, was seen before I was called back. I waited in the waiting room for more than two hours, while my poor husband and daughter waited in the car. We had planned to do lunch after. Once I was finally taken back, the waiting room had pretty much cleared out. I was seen by a doctor that was clearly in a huge rush and had better things to do than see me. I was charged $60 for this experience, and only to be told that basically I could make another appointment to get a service he didn't sound hopeful would help. At a higher cost than if I went to a medical spa and paid out-of-pocket. So overall, a really unpleasant experience, and the wait time was exceptionally absurd. I'm driving to a doctor an hour out of the way to avoid coming back to this office.
F D on Benjamin Light, Dr via Google Reviews
Dr. Light quite literally saved my sons life. I shudder to even think what could have happened if we didn’t see him when we did. My almost 4 year old was born at 35 weeks and immediately had to be intubated. Nobody really ever told us why he had so much trouble breathing. He was intubated for 14 days and spent 18 in the NICU. He has never sounded normal when breathing. He was scoped at 3m by another ENT and diagnosed with laryngomalacia- “noisy breathing”. That dr said it should be resolved by the time he turned 2 or he may need surgery. His symptoms got a little better for a while then quickly got worse. They were also very different the older he got. I didn’t know what was wrong but I knew something was and I told numerous drs I wanted him to see an ENT again because something told me it was in his throat. When he played or even walked fast he would get winded so fast and breathe rapidly. When he slept he made high pitched squealing noises and had stridor in his neck. But sitting on the exam table he always appeared completely normal. “His lungs are fine. He’s fine” I heard that a million times. I started taking videos to prove what I was seeing and asked every NP and Dr he saw over 3 years to just please refer us to an ENT. None of them saw a need and made me feel like I was nuts. His pediatrician kept wanting to try other things. He treated him for asthma- which did nothing. He gave his steroids which helped a bit but not for long. Eventually we saw another Dr in the same office and she finally listened to me and sent us to Dr. Light. As soon as he walked in the room and I started spilling off all of these symptoms and showing him the videos he knew my son had Subglottic Stenosis- narrowing of the windpipe; usually caused by scar tissue related to a trauma, in his case (and most) being intubated. He explained how serious this was and that we needed to go to Children’s in Birmingham to have him scoped ASAP. Within 2 weeks we were there for the initial appt. They decided to sedate him to scope him and if they found anything they would fix it the same day. You can only imagine our shock and surprise when the Dr came in after the surgery and told us he was a Grade 3- 90% closed. To put that into perspective he said Grade 4 is 100% closed and is incompatible with life. My poor baby was breathing trough a hole only 10% as big as it should have been. They dilated his airway that day. That was almost 3 weeks ago. Immediately after surgery I could tell a huge difference in his breathing. We go back in 2 days to have it done again and will possibly need it a 3rd and/or 4th time. He will never be 100% open but we hope he will get close. Dr. Light knew right away what no less than 5 Dr’s and idk how many NP’s we’ve seen over the years had no clue about. Without his knowledge my poor baby would still be struggling to breathe and I would still be standing beside his bed every night checking his oxygen with a pulse ox on his tiny little finger. I can’t thank him enough because I don’t know how much longer we would have had before it narrowed even more and something horrible happened. I cry just thinking about the possibilities. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Dr. Light for saving my baby.
Allyson Christian on Benjamin Light, Dr via Google Reviews