Brow Lift (Forehead Lift)
What is a brow lift?
Also known as a forehead lift, a brow lift is a surgical procedure performed to reduce signs of aging in the forehead area. It aims to remove or minimize deep horizontal creases across the forehead and bridge of the nose, and the frown lines between the eyebrows. It also lifts the eyebrows, making the eyes look more open.
The forehead lift procedure
Brow-lift surgery usually takes about one to two hours to perform, and takes place at a hospital, an office-based surgical suite, or an ambulatory center. Either general anesthesia or intravenous sedation is used. Depending on the surgical technique used, one long incision or a series of small incisions is made. Tissue and muscle underneath the skin are moved or repositioned as necessary.
Dr. R. Brannon Claytor
Dr. Claytor is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and holds over 20 years of experience as a cosmetic plastic surgeon. An innovator and teacher in the field of plastic surgery, he uses advanced techniques like the drain-free tummy tuck and deep plane facelift to streamline recovery and provide natural-looking, durable results.
Types of brow lifts
There are different types of brow lift procedures:
The coronal lift:
Also referred to as the “traditional lift” is the most common type of brow lift. It involves an ear to ear incision. The downside to this type of procedure is a very large and potentially noticeable scar. This may also result in areas of numbness on the scalp.
The endoscopic brow lift:
Another procedure involves two or three small incisions in the scalp region. The lift or elevation of the brow is done under the skin and the anchoring of the brow lift is performed either with sutures or with absorbable implants. While this technique is much less invasive, the downside is that it may not provide as much lift as a more invasive technique.
Mini brow lift:
If neither the coronal lift or endoscopic brow lift sound right for you, you may opt for a mini brow lift. This involves incisions at four transition regions in the upper lateral brow. This dissection is similar to the coronal lift, without the incisions crossing the central four head. This decreases the risk for an exposed, visible scar. The final result will be towards the lateral brow which is often where the most significant elevation is necessary.
Ideal brow lift candidates
If you have facial atrophy and loss of vertical lift to the forehead you may be an excellent candidate for brow lift surgery.
- Key Benefits
- Glossary
- Improved Appearance: A brow lift can elevate sagging eyebrows, reducing forehead wrinkles and frown lines, resulting in a more youthful and refreshed facial appearance.
- Enhanced Eye Contour: It can create a more alert and open eye appearance by repositioning the brows, making the eyes look larger and brighter.
- Minimized Forehead Wrinkles: By smoothing out forehead wrinkles and creases, a brow lift can contribute to a smoother, more youthful forehead.
- Alleviated Drooping Eyelids: In some cases, a brow lift can address mild to moderate eyelid drooping, improving vision and overall aesthetics.
- Long-lasting Results: Brow lift surgery offers long-lasting results, reducing the need for frequent touch-ups or temporary solutions like Botox.
- Customizable: Dr. Claytor can tailor the procedure to each patient’s specific needs for natural-looking results that complement your facial features.
Endoscopic Brow Lift: A minimally invasive surgical technique using a tiny camera and thin instruments inserted through small incisions made within the hairline.
Coronal Brow Lift: A traditional procedure that involves an incision from ear to ear across the top of the head, lifting the forehead and brow.
Temporal Brow Lift: A technique that addresses the outer part of the eyebrows and the corners of the eyes, often through incisions in the temporal region.
Foreheadplasty: Another term for a brow lift, focusing on improving the appearance of the forehead and brow area.
Forehead Reduction: Surgical reduction of the forehead size, sometimes done in conjunction with a brow lift.
Neuromodulators: Substances, like Botox, used to relax the muscles that cause wrinkles and lines, often used adjunctively with brow lifts.
Ptosis: Refers to the drooping or sagging of an area, commonly used to describe the condition of the eyelids or eyebrows.
Blepharoplasty: Eyelid surgery that can be combined with a brow lift for a more comprehensive rejuvenation of the upper face.
Suture Suspension: Technique using stitches or sutures to lift and support tissues, often used in minimally invasive brow lift procedures.
SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System): The layer of tissue beneath the skin that is sometimes adjusted during brow lift surgery or during a facelift to achieve a more youthful appearance.
Recovery after a brow lift
The recovery period varies depending on whether or not you opt for multiple procedures. A brow lift is often performed in conjunction with a deep plane facelift. This would result in recovery from two procedures at the same time.
Numbing medication may be injected at the time of surgery to diminish discomfort. Once this wears off the patient may take the prescribed oral pain medication.
Bandages are often removed one day post-operation and the patient may shower. A full recovery may take upwards of one month but patients are frequently allowed to resume increased activity one week post-procedure.
What results can I expect from a brow lift?
Depending on the patient’s pre-surgical appearance and goals, a brow lift’s results, which can be seen immediately, can be either subtle or dramatic. Eyes will appear more “open,” and creases across the forehead will diminish.
Side effects of forehead lifts
As with any surgery, patients may experience mild side effects. Numbness may occur in the scalp region due to the nerves in the area of operation. Scars are also an unfortunate, necessary side effect of any operation. These scars can be minimized by surgical technique and post-operative wound care.
Why choose Dr. Claytor for your plastic surgeon?
Double Board-Certified for a high level of safety and precision
Chief of Plastic Surgery at Main Line Health, a top health system
Board Member of The Aesthetic Society, shaping the future of aesthetics
8x Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctor for exceptional patient care
Recognized as one of America’s Best Plastic Surgeons by Newsweek
Drain-free recovery expert for faster, more comfortable healing
Deep plane facelift innovator and global educator
Active researcher in surgical and non-surgical aesthetic advancements
Highly regarded for his surgical expertise and outcomes, as well as his dedicated follow-up care
Interested in learning more about Brow Lifts? Call 610.527.4833 to schedule a consultation and learn more! Our practice serves Bryn Mawr, PA and the greater Philadelphia area.
References »
Cho MJ, Carboy JA, Rohrich RJ. Complications in Brow Lifts: A Systemic Review of Surgical and Nonsurgical Brow Rejuvenations. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2018. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000001943
Karimi N, Kashkouli MB, Sianati H, Khademi B. Techniques of Eyebrow Lifting: A Narrative Review. Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research. 2020. doi: 10.18502/jovr.v15i2.6740
Nicholas J. Panella, Jordan L. Wallin, and Neal D. Goldman. Patient Outcomes, Satisfaction, and Improvement in Headaches After Endoscopic Brow-lift. JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery. 2013. http://doi.org/10.1001/jamafacial.2013.924
Broadbent T, Mokhktarzadeh A, Harrison A. Minimally invasive brow lifting techniques. Current Opinion in Ophthalmology. 2017. doi: 10.1097/ICU.0000000000000391
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Medically reviewed by Dr. R. Brannon Claytor — Updated on Oct 26, 2024