Brow Lift (Forehead Lift)

Home/Procedures/Face/Brow Lift (Forehead Lift)

The brow and the eyes are typically among the first areas of the face to show signs of aging. With the natural aging process, repeated use of the facial muscles frequently causes expression lines and deep creases to form along the forehead and between the eyes. These forehead creases and frown lines typically develop in one’s early thirties and continue to become more prominent as an individual ages. Furthermore, facial lines are often exacerbated by increased skin laxity and can create an older, sad, angry, or fatigued look. These aesthetic concerns can often be effectively addressed with a brow lift. This advanced surgical procedure can smooth creases on the forehead and between the eyes, raise sagging brows, and create a more refreshed and younger-looking facial appearance.

What Can a Brow Lift Do for Me?

A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, is designed to tighten lax skin across the brow and correct the appearance of drooping brows and heavy lids. This procedure can address horizontal forehead wrinkles, vertical creases between the eyebrows (frown lines), and other age-related lines found on the brow and forehead.

For individuals who have experienced eyebrow drooping or sagging over time, a brow lift can be utilized to elevate the eyebrows to a more youthful position. Depending on your cosmetic goals, this lifting of the eyebrows can ultimately make the upper eyelids more visible for a well-rested and rejuvenated aesthetic.

Who Is a Candidate for Brow Lift?

Brow lift candidates typically have one or more of the following signs of facial aging:

  • Horizontal forehead creases
  • Sagging or drooping eyebrows that create a hooding of the upper eyelids
  • Excess skin gathered at the outer corners of the eyes
  • A perpetually furrowed brow (vertical lines or “frown lines” between the eyebrows)
  • A sad, tired, or angry appearance due to sagging eyebrows and other signs of facial aging

Ideal surgical candidates should be in good overall health and maintain realistic expectations regarding their results. Some patients may choose to pair their surgery with another cosmetic procedure. A brow lift can be performed alone, but it is frequently combined with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or non-surgical injectable treatments for a more complete aesthetic makeover.

During the consultation process, Dr. Geoffrey E. Leber will perform a physical examination, discuss your individual cosmetic concerns, review your medical history, and determine if a brow lift is best for your needs and surgical expectations. If it is determined that you would not benefit from a brow lift, Dr. Leber can suggest other effective enhancement options that may help you reach your aesthetic goals. Neuromodulators like BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport® can often achieve some of the benefits of a brow lift by temporarily preventing function of the muscles that pull the brow down, allowing a slight lifting effect. This can often result in reduced wrinkles around the eyes and forehead.

How Is a Brow Lift Performed?

A traditional brow lift uses an incision concealed within the hairline to elevate and tighten lax forehead skin, thereby allowing any excess skin to be removed. Depending on your unique treatment plan, some procedures can be performed endoscopically. This technique utilizes very small incisions and typically results in an abbreviated recovery period.

Once the incisions are placed, the underlying tissue and muscle can be adjusted and/or lifted to smooth deep creases and furrows within the brow. A brow lift is performed as an outpatient procedure, and can usually be completed in one to two hours. While many patients may only require sedation or local anesthesia, general anesthesia may be administered to certain patients depending on the complexity of the procedure.  

Patient Results

Below are a few cases from our extensive gallery, click here to view more

What Is Recovery Like for a Brow Lift?

Mild swelling and bruising can be expected during the first seven to ten days after a brow lift. Discomfort after the procedure can usually be managed well with oral pain medication and ice packs. Most patients resume their normal daily activities within two to three weeks. While individuals who have undergone a brow lift typically notice a smoother aesthetic in the upper face immediately after surgery, the full results of the procedure should improve as the body continues to heal. Dr. Leber takes great care to conceal any incisions within the hairline to allow a natural-looking outcome. The results of a brow lift can be very long-lasting, often reversing years of facial aging in the brow and the forehead. While the aging process will continue, patients can prolong the results of surgery and maintain their rejuvenated aesthetic by limiting unprotected sun exposure, subscribing to healthy lifestyle habits, and obtaining non-surgical touch-up treatments from our medical spa.

If you are interested in diminishing signs of aging in the upper face with a brow lift, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact our practice today.