Forehead Lift (Brow Lift)

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UT Southwestern Medical Center is recognized as a leading center in the U.S. for cosmetic and plastic surgery. Our experienced surgeons are skilled in the latest techniques for facial rejuvenation, such as forehead lifts (also known as brow lifts). We provide expert care to help our patients achieve their appearance goals.

What Is a Forehead Lift?

A forehead lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure to raise the eyebrows and improve the appearance of lines on the forehead and between the eyes (“frown lines”).

This procedure can address concerns such as drooping brows or deep forehead creases. Depending on the patient’s needs, the surgery can also help improve peripheral vision obstructed by sagging skin.

Why Choose UT Southwestern for a Forehead Lift?

UT Southwestern leads ongoing research studies to improve procedures such as forehead lifts. As experts in their fields, our surgeons have published thousands of articles and books on plastic and cosmetic procedures, chaired hundreds of national and international conferences, and delivered many scientific presentations on their work.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Forehead Lift?

The aging process causes facial skin and muscles to sag or droop. A forehead or brow lift can benefit patients who have:

Lowered eyebrows that are causing “hooded” upper eyelids
Forehead wrinkles or “furrows”
Frown lines between the eyes

What Are the Benefits of a Forehead Lift Procedure?

Our surgeons can perform a forehead lift alone or at the same time as other cosmetic facial procedures, such as a face lift or eye lift. We can achieve numerous results with this procedure, such as:

Reducing the appearance of wrinkles on the forehead, between the eyes, and along the brow line, creating a smoother and more rested look
Raising sagging eyebrows to address the look of “hooded” upper eyelids, which can also improve peripheral vision in some cases
Repositioning the eyebrows to provide a more youthful, alert appearance, reducing the look of being tired, angry, or serious
Improving deep furrows and frown lines caused by muscle activity or genetics
Achieving overall facial harmony and balance when combined with complementary procedures

What Surgical Techniques Are Used for Forehead Lifts?

The techniques we use for a forehead or brow lift are:

Endoscopic brow lift: A procedure involving a few small incisions to permanently reposition the brow
Brow suspension: A less invasive procedure than the endoscopy but requires retreatment after a few years
Limited brow lift: Uses incisions in the temporal area to lift the outside part of the brow
Traditional brow lift: Uses a larger incision in the scalp

What Can Patients Expect with a Forehead Lift?

During a Forehead Lift

A forehead or brow lift is an outpatient procedure. Patients can go home the same day.

Our surgeons discuss anesthesia to provide comfort during the procedure, including:

General anesthesia
Sedation

For an endoscopic brow lift, our plastic surgeon makes about five small incisions behind the hairline. An endoscope (thin tube tipped with a lighted camera) is then inserted and small surgical instruments through the incisions to perform the procedure. By adjusting muscles and other tissue under the skin, the surgeon reduces the appearance of wrinkles on the forehead and positions the brows slightly higher for a refreshed look.

For brow suspension, the surgeon makes two tiny incisions within the brows and two incisions behind the hairline, directly above the brow incisions. A tiny tube is placed under the forehead skin between the hairline and brow incisions, threading a suture through the tube. The surgeon then lifts and repositions the brows slightly higher for a more youthful look.

The surgeon closes the incisions for both procedures using sutures, skin adhesives, or clips.

After a Forehead Lift

During forehead lift (brow lift) recovery, patients can expect to:

Receive medication to relieve pain or reduce the risk of infection for a few days after the procedure
Have some swelling and mild bruising for the first few days; most swelling goes away in about two weeks, but some minor swelling can last several weeks.
Return to work and most activities within a week
Resume more strenuous activities after a few weeks