Brow Lift

Are You a Candidate?

The best candidates for a forehead lift are those men and women with lowered eyebrows, deep forehead wrinkles and other signs of advanced aging through the brow and forehead area. It’s also important to be in good overall physical and mental health, and to have realistic expectations about your results.

A brow lift can help you look younger, but the results are localized to the forehead. If you have concerns such as sagging eyelids or crow’s feet in addition to a fallen brow, Dr. Koehler may recommend including additional procedures such as eyelid surgery or BOTOX® to further enhance the results of your brow lift. During your consultation, Dr. Koehler will explain how different facial cosmetic surgery procedures can complement each other so you can decide on the best approach to meet your cosmetic goals.

What to Expect

Since not everyone is a candidate for a brow lift, Dr. Koehler will perform a physical evaluation as part of your initial consultation in order to determine whether the procedure is right for you. At the same time, you’ll be given lots of information about what to expect during your surgery and throughout the recovery process.

There are a few different forehead lift techniques that Dr. Koehler may use during the surgery:

• Open (Coronal) Technique: In this traditional approach to lifting the forehead, Dr. Koehler will place the incision across the top of the scalp, beginning just above each ear and hidden well within the hairline.
• Endoscopic Technique: An endoscopic brow lift allows for smaller incisions and a less invasive surgery, which means faster healing and recovery. In an endoscopic brow lift, small incisions are required. Three incisions are typically placed along the top of the scalp, along with one at each temple, behind the hairline.
• Trichophyic Brow Lift: This technique involves placement of the incision just inside the hairline. This technique can actually be used to lower a high hairline. Initially the incision may be visible but when healed it is usually imperceptible. This technique is generally less uncomfortable than the endoscopic or coronal brow lifts.
• Limited Incision Technique: In a limited incision brow lift, Dr. Koehler hides the incisions within the hairline at the temples. Alternatively, Dr. Koehler can perform a brow lift using the same incisions as required during upper eyelid surgery if the procedures are performed at the same time.

There are a number of reasons that Dr. Koehler may recommend one surgical approach over another, all of which he can explain in more detail during your consultation.

A forehead lift is usually performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, so most patients can plan to return home right after surgery. You should sleep with your head elevated the first few nights to help you feel comfortable and reduce swelling. Dr. Koehler will prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection, and removes sutures about a week after your procedure. You can expect some initial swelling and bruising, both of which should be resolved within 1-2 weeks, about the same time that most patients return to their daily routines.

Brow Lift FAQs

How do I choose the best cosmetic surgeon near me for a brow lift?

Facial cosmetic procedures like brow lifts require a specific skill set, extreme attention to detail and an artistic eye. Choose a cosmetic surgeon for your brow lift who has extensive experience with facial procedures like brow lifts, eyelid surgery and facelifts. View before and after photos of brow lifts performed by each cosmetic surgeon with whom you are considering working to help you gauge the quality of results you might be able to expect yourself.

Is a brow lift the best facial cosmetic surgery for me?

A brow lift can address significant wrinkles and creases in the forehead and brow areas, as well as repair loose or excess skin and muscle tissue that often gives the appearance of a drooping or heavy brow. If these are your primary cosmetic concerns, a brow lift may be an appropriate solution for you. However, a brow lift may be combined with other procedures, such as an eyelid lift or facelift, if other cosmetic issues, such as drooping eyelids or lower-face wrinkles and creases, are also a concern. 

Does a brow lift hurt?

You shouldn’t feel any pain or discomfort during your brow lift, as it is performed under either general or local anesthesia. Most people find that this outpatient procedure is fairly straightforward to recover from with minimal pain. However, some discomfort, tenderness, swelling and bruising are to be expected during the initial stage of brow lift recovery.

How much time will I need to take off work to recover from a brow lift?

Most people are able to return to work within 10 to 14 days after getting a brow lift. You should be able to apply makeup around two weeks after your brow lift to help conceal any residual swelling or bruising. However, check with your cosmetic surgeon before applying any topical products to areas with incisions. 

You will need to avoid strenuous exercise or physical activity for several weeks after your brow lift. Work with your cosmetic surgeon to gradually reintroduce exercise to your daily routine.

How soon will I see results from a brow lift?

You may notice an immediate difference in the appearance of your forehead and brow directly after getting a brow lift. However, swelling and bruising can hide your initial results, so you may not see a significant improvement until around 1 to 3 months after your procedure. It can take six months or longer to see your final brow lift results, so remain patient as your body heals and continues to change.

How long does a brow lift last?

Generally speaking, a brow lift can last 10 years or more. However, the longevity of your brow lift will depend on a number of factors, including your age, genetics, the elasticity of your skin and lifestyle habits. You can help to prolong your brow lift results by avoiding sun exposure, wearing daily sunscreen, eating a healthy diet, drinking enough water and managing stress.