How is it different from upper blepharoplasty?

Upper blepharoplasty addresses excess skin on the eyelid itself. Brow lift addresses the position of the brow above it. Many patients benefit from both, assessed individually.

Will I look surprised afterwards?

No. The aim is a subtle, anatomical repositioning of the brow to where it sat in your 30s, not the over-arched, surprised look of older brow-lifting techniques.

Will the scar be visible?

Direct brow-lift scars are placed within the upper edge of the brow itself and settle exceptionally well. Endoscopic and lateral temporal approaches hide scars within the hairline.

Cosmetic oculoplastic

Brow lift

Repositioning a heavy or asymmetric brow, often the missing piece when upper blepharoplasty alone does not give the result you are after.

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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 1–2 weeks.
Sutures removed at 7–10 days.
Final result settles over 2–3 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 3–4 months.

Upper blepharoplasty

Removal of excess upper-lid skin and (where appropriate) a small amount of fat, refreshing the upper eye, opening up the gaze and lifting heavy lids.

Make an enquiry.

Private consultations are arranged through Gina Stacey, my secretary. NHS appointments are by GP referral via Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.

Private secretary

Gina Stacey

Use the secure enquiry form below beside this panel — submissions are protected from automated spam.

NHS

NHS appointments at Queen Alexandra Hospital are arranged via your GP or optometrist through Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.

In an emergency

For urgent eye problems please call NHS 111, attend the on-call eye casualty service, or call 999 if it is life-threatening.