Brow lift (forehead lift)
Recovery time: 2-3 weeks
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About this procedure
Smoothing forehead wrinkles and returning drooping brows to their natural position. Performed with an endoscopic or classic technique; the aim is to give the face a calm, refreshed look.
Who is it for?
Suitable
- People who constantly look tired, angry, or sad due to drooping brows (brow ptosis)
- Patients whose forehead wrinkles have deepened and who no longer get a sufficient result from injectable methods such as Botox
- People whose descended brows press on the upper eyelid, creating a feeling of heaviness and a sagging appearance of the upper lid
- Patients bothered by deep lines between the brows (the frown area) who are looking for a lasting structural change rather than a temporary one
- Candidates whose general health is suitable for surgery, who do not smoke or are prepared to quit before the operation
- People with realistic expectations of the outcome — wanting the face to look more at ease, without aiming to completely change their facial expressions
May not be suitable
- People whose complaint consists only of fine expression lines that appear with movement — in this case, less invasive methods such as Botox are evaluated first
- Patients with a bleeding disorder or who cannot stop blood-thinning medications before surgery
- People with uncontrolled chronic illnesses (unregulated diabetes, severe cardiovascular disease)
- Candidates with suspected body dysmorphic disorder or unrealistic expectations from a very small change
- People with an active infection, unhealed wound, or uncontrolled skin condition on the forehead or scalp (treatment is required first)
- Women who are pregnant — the operation is postponed until after childbirth
Suitability is confirmed only at a doctor's examination. Results are individual.
The process step by step
- 1
Initial consultation and facial analysis(30-45 minutes)
The plastic surgeon evaluates the position of the brows, the depth of forehead wrinkles, skin elasticity, and the height of the hairline. It is clarified whether the complaint stems from brow drooping, excess eyelid skin, or both — this is the key stage for choosing correctly between a forehead lift and blepharoplasty.
- 2
Medical examination and tests(1 day)
Blood tests and a general health assessment for anesthesia are carried out. Medications in use (especially blood thinners) are reviewed, and if necessary, a plan for stopping them before surgery is provided.
- 3
Surgical planning and technique selection(1 session)
The endoscopic or classic (open) technique is chosen, incision sites are marked within the hair, and how much the brows will be lifted and from which points is finalized together with the patient.
- 4
Anesthesia(15-20 minutes)
Depending on the technique and the scope of the operation, general anesthesia or local anesthesia + sedation is administered; the patient feels no pain throughout the procedure.
- 5
Surgery(1-2 hours)
In an endoscopic forehead lift, the surgeon works through several small incisions within the hair under camera guidance; the forehead tissues are lifted and fixed in their new position. In the classic technique, excess skin is removed through a longer incision along the hairline. The muscles that create wrinkles are weakened if needed, and the incisions are closed with fine sutures or surgical staples.
- 6
Initial recovery and observation(a few hours - 1 night)
An elastic bandage is placed on the forehead; after a short period of observation the patient may be discharged home the same day or stay one night at the clinic. Keeping the head elevated and a cold compress regimen are prescribed.
Recovery process
A feeling of tightness in the forehead, swelling, and a mild headache are most pronounced during this period. Swelling may descend to the eyelids and cause blue-purple discoloration — this is normal. The elastic bandage is usually kept on for the first 1-2 days.
Restriction: Keeping the head elevated, and avoiding bending over, lifting heavy objects, and straining movements are recommended.
Most of the swelling subsides, and the blue-purple discoloration begins to lighten. Sutures or staples are usually removed within days 7-10. Washing the hair is usually allowed from day 2-3.
Restriction: Hair dye, hot air from a hair dryer, and hats or accessories that press on the forehead are not recommended during this period.
Visible swelling and discoloration largely resolve, and most patients return to work and their daily routine. Numbness and tingling in the forehead may persist, gradually turning into itching over time — this is the process of the nerve endings recovering.
Restriction: Heavy exercise, sauna, swimming pool, and direct sun exposure are not recommended during this period.
Sensation gradually recovers, incision scars fade and become inconspicuous within the hair. The final position of the brows becomes fully clear during this period as the tissues stabilize.
Restriction: No special restrictions; daily life is fully normal. Sun protection helps the scars fade.
Risks and transparency
Every surgical procedure carries risks. Transparency is the basis of trust for us.
- Swelling and blue-purple discoloration — observed in nearly every patient in the forehead and around the eyes, gradually fades
- Temporary numbness, tingling, and itching in the forehead and front of the scalp — recovery of the nerve endings can take from a few weeks to a few months
- Possibility of temporary hair loss along the incision line (in rare cases, thinning may last longer)
- Weakness in brow movement due to injury to the temporal branch of the facial nerve — usually temporary; in very rare cases it may last longer
- Asymmetric elevation of the brows or a degree of lift that is less/more than expected — overcorrection can create a surprised expression
- Risk of bleeding, hematoma, or infection (rare, but a possibility present in any surgical operation)
- In the classic (open) technique, the possibility of a visible incision scar and a slight raising of the hairline
- General risks related to anesthesia (standard possibilities present with any anesthesia)
What does the price depend on?
- The chosen technique — endoscopic or classic (open) forehead lift
- Type of anesthesia (general or local + sedation)
- Whether it is combined in the same session with blepharoplasty, a facelift, or a neck lift
- Clinic equipment (endoscopic technology) and observation conditions
- Surgeon's experience
- Whether the surgery is primary or revision (repeat)
Frequently asked questions
How much does a forehead lift (brow lift) cost, and what does the price depend on?
The price varies depending on the chosen technique (endoscopic or classic), the type of anesthesia, whether it is combined with other procedures (for example, blepharoplasty), and the clinic. An exact price can only be given after an in-person consultation and examination — you can book a free consultation for this.
Is brow lift surgery painful?
Since the operation is performed under anesthesia, no pain is felt during the procedure. In the first days there may be tightness in the forehead, a mild headache, and later a feeling of itching — these are managed with prescribed pain medication and gradually pass.
From what age can a forehead lift be performed?
There is no specific age limit — the decision is based on the position of the brows, the depth of forehead wrinkles, and the condition of the tissues. Most patients seek it between the ages of 40 and 60, but in people whose brows sit genetically low, it can be evaluated at an earlier age as well.
What is the difference between an endoscopic forehead lift and the classic (open) technique?
In an endoscopic forehead lift, several small incisions are made within the hair and the operation is performed under camera guidance — the scars are smaller and the recovery period is usually more comfortable. In the classic (coronal) technique, there is a longer incision along the hairline; this gives the surgeon a wider working field in cases of significant excess skin and certain anatomical situations. The choice depends on the height of the forehead, the condition of the skin, and the planned change, and is decided together during the consultation.
Is Botox enough for forehead wrinkles, or is surgery needed?
Botox temporarily smooths expression lines that appear with movement, and its effect usually lasts 3-6 months — if the wrinkles have not yet deepened and the brows maintain their position, Botox is often sufficient. If the brows have structurally descended, there is excess skin, or the effect of Botox is gradually diminishing, brow lift surgery is evaluated for a lasting result. This decision is made through an individual examination at the consultation.
Are there any visible scars after forehead lift surgery?
Since the incisions are located within the hair or along the hairline, the scars are usually covered by hair. In the endoscopic technique, the scars consist of a few small lines and become nearly invisible over time; in the classic technique the scar is longer, but it remains under the hair and gradually fades.
When can I return to work after the operation?
Most patients can return to office-type jobs that do not require physical effort within 10-14 days — by this time, visible swelling and discoloration have largely resolved. For physically demanding work and exercise, waiting 3-4 weeks is recommended.
How many years does the result of a brow lift last?
Because a forehead lift structurally fixes the brows in a new position, the result is long-lasting, and the removed excess skin does not return. That said, the natural aging process continues, and the tissues may slowly change over the years. Durability is also affected by factors such as skin type, sun protection, and smoking.
Can a forehead lift be combined with blepharoplasty or a facelift?
Yes, they are combined quite often. Since brow drooping and excess upper eyelid skin frequently appear together, the forehead lift + blepharoplasty combination is widely used; if change is also desired in the middle and lower parts of the face, it can be evaluated in the same plan as a facelift and neck lift. The combination decision is made taking into account overall health and the total operation time.
Will my facial expression look artificial or permanently surprised after the operation?
In a properly planned brow lift, the goal is to return the brows to their natural anatomical position, not to over-elevate them. The degree of lift is determined together with the patient during the consultation. In the first weeks, the brows may appear higher than they are due to swelling — this is temporary, and the natural expression returns as the tissues stabilize.
Are numbness and itching in the forehead normal after the operation?
Yes, temporary numbness and tingling in the forehead and front of the scalp, and the itching sensation that develops later, are among the most common temporary effects of this operation. This is related to the recovery of the nerve endings and usually passes gradually within a few weeks to a few months.
Is a brow lift possible in men and in people with a receding hairline?
Yes, but the planning of the incision sites is done differently. In people with a receding hairline or thinning hair, the incision position and technique (for example, the endoscopic approach) are chosen individually to conceal the scars. This is evaluated at the consultation based on the condition of the hairline.