Summary
The brow naturally drops with age, particularly at its lateral (outer) end. This can give a heavy, hooded appearance to the upper eye, and is often the reason patients are disappointed with upper blepharoplasty alone. Brow lift elevates and repositions the brow to a more youthful, anatomical position.
Who is this for?
Common reasons to consider a brow lift:
- a heavy, dropped lateral brow,
- asymmetry between the two brows,
- a ‘hooded’ upper eyelid that persists after blepharoplasty,
- recurrent forehead lines from compensatory raising of the brow.
What the procedure involves
There are several techniques, chosen to suit your anatomy and goals:
- Direct brow lift: a small incision just above the brow hair, under local anaesthetic. Excellent for an older patient or for asymmetric correction.
- Endoscopic brow lift: a series of small incisions hidden in the hairline, under general anaesthetic. Best for younger patients with thicker hair.
- Lateral temporal lift: a discreet incision in the temporal hairline to lift the outer brow only.
Botulinum toxin can complement surgery by relaxing the depressors of the brow.
Recovery and what to expect
- Bruising and swelling for 1 to 2 weeks.
- Sutures removed at 7 to 10 days.
- Final result settles over 2 to 3 months.
- Numbness across the forehead for several weeks is common after endoscopic procedures.
Risks and alternatives
Risks include over- or under-correction, asymmetry, scarring, hair-line distortion (with endoscopic procedures), forehead numbness, and rarely injury to the frontal branch of the facial nerve.
For patients seeking a less invasive option, cosmetic botulinum toxin can give a subtle ‘chemical brow lift’ lasting 3 to 4 months.