Brow Lift (Forehead Lift)
A brow lift is performed to improve signs of aging in the forehead. The procedure can smooth creases, reduce frown lines, and lift sagging eyebrows. When the skin and musculature begin to weaken, loss of support in the brow can cause patients to look angry, tired, or displeased no matter how they may actually be feeling. Brow lift surgery can be a transformative procedure to restore a more youthful and approachable appearance. Thanks to advances in plastic surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Scott Miller can perform a brow lift with minimally invasive endoscopic techniques, which allow for small incisions hidden within the hairline. This reduces recovery time and offers less discomfort after surgery overall. At our La Jolla practice, the procedure is frequently combined with eyelid surgery to more extensively refresh the upper face, although each option can be performed alone if desired.
Brow Lift: At a Glance
- Treatment Overview: A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, is a procedure performed to restore eyebrows to a more youthful position while smoothing upper facial creases like forehead wrinkles and frown lines. The procedure addresses weakened skin and musculature in the brow area, helping patients look more alert and rejuvenated rather than unintentionally conveying emotions like fatigue or stress.
- Benefits: Brow lift surgery can correct several signs of aging in the upper face, including softening deep forehead creases, lifting sagging eyebrows, and supporting loss of elasticity in the brow musculature.
- Candidates: The best surgical candidates are healthy, non-smoking individuals who feel their outward appearance — often characterized by a tired, stressed, or angry look — does not reflect how they actually feel inside. Candidates should have realistic expectations and a positive outlook on the procedure, with no unmanaged medical conditions that could interfere with surgery or recovery.
- Procedure: A brow lift is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, typically taking about one hour. Surgery can be completed using an endoscopic or a temporal technique, both of which are less invasive than traditional approaches.
- Recovery: Most patients experience a headache, numbness, swelling, and bruising following surgery, but are typically up and moving within a few days. The majority return to work within 7 to 10 days, though final results can take up to six months to appear as swelling fully subsides.
What is a Brow Lift?
A brow lift is a facial plastic surgery procedure that lifts sagging eyebrows to a more youthful position and smooths upper facial creases, such as forehead wrinkles and frown lines. After brow lift surgery, patients enjoy a more carefree and energetic appearance. Certain signs of aging — like “eleven” wrinkles” and sagging brows — tend to contribute to a look of displeasure, stress, or fatigue. This can make you unintentionally convey emotions you may not actually be feeling. Brow lift surgery is a way to restore support for the brows while treating skin laxity and smoothing upper facial creases. In turn, men and women are able to look more alert and rejuvenated than they did before surgery.
What Concerns Can a Brow Lift Improve?
- Loss of support and weakened musculature in the brow
- Deep creases along the forehead
- Sagging eyebrows
A brow lift focuses on enhancing the upper face, but does not treat concerns in the lower face or neck. Since no part of the face ages in isolation, it’s not uncommon for patients to ask about combining their brow lift with other procedures, such as a facelift, neck lift, or eyelid surgery, to achieve more harmonious results.
Is a Brow Lift Right for Me?
Brow lift surgery can be a key treatment to reduce aging in the upper face. Most patients who undergo a brow lift do not feel like their appearance aligns with how they feel on the inside, and consider this facial plastic surgery procedure to obtain a more youthful look while maintaining the natural character of their face.
- Believe you always look tired, stressed, or angry
- Experience “hooding” in the corners of the eyes
- Are healthy with no unmanaged medical conditions
- Do not smoke or you’re willing to quit smoking
If excess skin and “hooding” are affecting your field of vision, it may require a combined brow lift and blepharoplasty treatment plan to fully smooth the contours of the upper eyelids. For all patients interested in brow lift surgery, it’s essential to have a positive outlook on the procedure and maintain realistic expectations for the final outcome.
How is the Brow Lift Procedure Performed?
The procedure can be performed using either the endoscopic or the temporal technique depending on your needs and preferences. Both types of procedures are less invasive than a traditional brow lift, giving Dr. Miller’s patients the benefits of shorter incisions and less discomfort when compared to an older approach. Surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation, and generally takes approximately one hour depending on your treatment plan.
During an endoscopic brow lift, a lighted telescope with a camera at the end is inserted through a few small incisions made behind the hairline. This allows Dr. Miller access to lift the skin and muscles of the brow. Recovery is usually shorter and more tolerable when compared to a more invasive technique. A temporal brow lift may be appropriate for individuals who have sagging tissue in the outer-third of the eyebrows. Incisions are hidden discreetly, allowing Dr. Miller to improve the eye region without producing a “surprised” or overly pulled look.
What Can I Expect During the Brow Lift Recovery Period?
Numbness, swelling, bruising, and general discomfort are to be expected after surgery, but most patients describe the recovery period as very tolerable. Patients are usually up and about a few days after the procedure and return to work within 7 to 10 days. Over-the-counter medications can often manage any discomfort until swelling naturally subsides. Dr. Miller’s team will provide you with aftercare instructions to help ensure your recovery proceeds smoothly. It can take up to six months to see the final results of brow lift surgery, but we encourage patients to explore our before-and-after photos to see the beautiful outcomes possible after the procedure.
How Long Do Brow Lift Results Last?
There are many ways to maximize your brow lift results and prolong the outcome as long as possible. Along with practicing a healthy and active lifestyle, the following tips can help further slow down facial aging:
- Avoid smoking and tobacco use, as these habits can dehydrate and age the skin
- Always use a high-SPF sunscreen and other forms of sun protection (hats, sunglasses, etc.)
- Invest in a quality skincare regimen with medical-grade products
- Undergo periodic facial rejuvenation treatments, such as lasers, peels, and facials
We understand not every patient is ready for a surgical procedure, which is why we also offer treatment with non-surgical alternatives like BOTOX® Cosmetic and DAXXIFY™ to soften deep frown lines between the eyebrows.
Will I Have Noticeable Brow Lift Scars?
Scars after surgery are inevitable, but any scarring from a brow lift is usually undetectable to outside observers. For patients receiving an endoscopic brow lift, incisions made during the procedure are hidden within the hair and much smaller when compared to more traditional brow lift techniques. This has the adjunctive benefit of less post-operative scarring and greater patient comfort during your recovery. Dr. Miller will show you exactly where your scars are likely to appear after determining the best brow lift technique for your needs.
How Much Does a Brow Lift Cost?
The cost of a brow lift varies according to the geographic location of your procedure and the experience of your plastic surgeon. Every patient receives a personalized quote based on the details of their unique treatment plan, such as:
- The extent of your concerns
- The surgical technique utilized
- The complexity of your procedure
Our office will be able to provide you with your specific fees after Dr. Miller listens to your concerns and assesses your needs during a consultation. Surgical fees for the cost of anesthesia, post-operative care, the surgical facility, and other expenses typical of a cosmetic procedure are also included in your personalized quote. While insurance companies don’t usually cover aesthetic surgery, Dr. Miller accepts CareCredit® for qualified patients interested in financing their procedure with a series of low- to no- monthly installments. Please call our office for more information about the cost of brow lift surgery.
Is a Non-Surgical Brow Lift Possible?
When it comes to truly lifting a sagging brow by repositioning descended tissues and restoring support for the upper face, brow lift surgery remains the only treatment that can deliver long-lasting and predictable results. A surgical brow lift addresses the underlying structural causes of brow ptosis in a way that no injectable or non-invasive treatment can replicate. For patients with severe brow drooping or skin laxity, this procedure offers the most effective and lasting improvement.
That said, injectables like DAXXIFY® and BOTOX® Cosmetic can be a valuable non-surgical treatment to address early signs of aging in the brow and forehead area. As wrinkle-relaxing neurotoxins, both treatments can soften the forehead creases between the brows that contribute to a tired or stressed appearance (“eleven” wrinkles), delivering subtle yet noticeable rejuvenation in the upper face without any incisions or downtime. For the right candidate, this injectable can be a meaningful complement to a thoughtful skincare routine. A thorough consultation is always the best place to begin, as it allows us to assess your concerns honestly and recommend the best approach for you.
Dr. Scott Miller is a fellowship-trained plastic surgeon who can renew the upper face to give you a brighter and more carefree appearance. If you’re bothered by an aging brow, please don’t hesitate to contact Miller Cosmetic Surgery to learn more about our facial rejuvenation services.