Forehead Lift

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. We provide expert care to help our patients achieve their appearance goals.

Expertise in Forehead Lifts

A forehead lift, also known as a brow lift, is a cosmetic surgical procedure to tighten sagging forehead skin and raise the eyebrows. A forehead lift can also reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the forehead and between the eyes (“frown lines”).

UT Southwestern is involved in 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.

Candidates for Forehead Lifts

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

Options for Forehead Lifts

Our surgeons can perform a forehead lift alone or at the same time as other facial procedures, such as a face lift or eye lift.

We can achieve several results with a forehead lift, such as:

• Reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the forehead or between the eyes
• Raise sagging eyebrows to address the look of “hooded” upper eyelids
• Reposition the eyebrows to provide a more youthful, alert appearance, reducing the look of being tired, angry, or serious

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
  

What to Expect From a Forehead Lift

A forehead or brow lift is an outpatient procedure, and patients can go home the same day. In the first step, our surgeons discuss anesthesia options with patients to provide comfort during the procedure. Anesthesia options include:

• General anesthesia
• Sedation

The second step for the endoscopic brow lift is for the surgeon to make about five small incisions behind the hairline. The surgeon then inserts an endoscope (thin tube tipped with a lighted camera) 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.

In the second step for the brow suspension, the surgeon makes two tiny incisions within the brows and two incisions behind the hairline, directly above the brow incisions. The surgeon places a tiny tube 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 third step for both procedures has the surgeon closing the incisions using sutures, skin adhesives, or clips.

During their recovery, patients can expect to:

• Receive medication to relieve pain and/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