As a plastic surgeon, one concern I hear often from patients is about how to refresh their appearance for a younger, more aesthetically pleasing look. One common procedure I recommend is the brow lift. As we age, the skin and soft tissues around the brows lose elasticity and cause drooping and sagging. A brow lift can address these effects. Typically, this procedure can be done through traditional or minimally invasive endoscopic techniques to move skin, muscles, and tissues for a slimmer, more youthful appearance.

What is a brow lift?

A brow lift, also called a “forehead lift”, is a surgical procedure that raises the forehead and repositions the eyebrows to give a more youthful appearance. It removes sagging skin, wrinkles, frown lines, and drooping eyebrows. This procedure typically takes several hours, so you can opt either local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. Recovery time can range from weeks to months depending on your choice of lift (whether minimally invasive or a more traditional brow lift).

What type of brow lift is best for me?

Cosmetic surgeons use different techniques to determine which type of brow lift is best for each individual. Depending on your unique anatomy and specific goals, the extent of corrections needed varies. Here are a few common types:

• Endoscopic brow lift: A series of short incisions are made in the hairline. Then, using a small camera and thin instruments, the surgeons can reposition muscles to create a naturally youthful look with less excess tissue or fat removed as needed on the forehead. 
• Temporal or limited incision brow lift: This procedure involves longer incisions than the endoscopic brow lift. It is most commonly done in conjunction with eyelid surgery because of its proximity to the eyes. The surgeon will make 1 inch long incisions at both temples to elevate the lateral part of the brows..
• Classic or coronal brow lift: A long, vertical incision begins at the hairline and continues behind each ear. Excess skin and fatty tissue are removed from around your forehead, and the adjacent muscles are readjusted to create a more youthful appearance.

What are the benefits of brow lifts?

The outcome of the brow lift procedure depends on many individual factors. However, in most cases, patients can expect to see a long-term improvement in their appearance, and  increased self-satisfaction after undergoing this procedure. .

Some common results:

• Reduction of horizontal wrinkle lines across the face
• Diminishing of frown lines
• Diminishing of vertical creases between the brows
• Reduction of sagging in the brow area
• More active and youthful eyebrow placement

You can expect the results to last many years, upwards of 6-10 years.

What is the recovery process for the procedure?

The brow lift usually takes between 8-14 days for the brows to heal, and in some cases, brow bone grafts may also add an extra day or two. During this time, there are certain precautions that patients should take.  

Refrain from picking or moving your brows.

For at least one week following your brow lift procedure, try not to touch your forehead with your hands, and wash your face morning and evening with a non-abrasive cleanser. You should also avoid using any makeup in this area for the first two weeks if possible and limit the use of cosmetics afterward.

Depending on the brow lift, your surgeon may also recommend avoiding shampooing and conditioning your hair for at least one week. When showering, try not to let the water hit directly over the brows. The brow lift recovery process is relatively short, but you may experience some bruising, swelling, numbness, and pain in certain areas. Contact your surgeon if you have any concerns.

What if I’d like to learn more about the procedure, or have a question that isn’t shown here?

If you’re in the Cleveland area, contact Dr. Diana Ponsky for more information. She’s a board-certified cosmetic surgeon and an expert in endoscopic brow lift, which has a considerably shorter recovery time than the traditional procedure. She can walk you through your options and answer any questions. Reach her at Beachwood Facial Plastic Surgery at (216) 508-4055, or at info@drdianaponsky.com