Brow lift

A brow lift is a cosmetic procedure to lift, smooth and reposition your forehead to give you a more youthful appearance. At Circle Health Group, we have an extensive network of expert cosmetic surgeons with experience performing brow lift surgery, providing you with peace of mind and an excellent result.

Call or book online today to arrange a consultation to discuss private brow lift surgery with a consultant of your choice at Circle Health Group.

This page explains what a brow lift is, what happens during the procedure and what to expect during your recovery. 

A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift or forehead rejuvenation, is a surgical procedure to raise your brow line and improve the appearance of your brow area, forehead and around your eyes.

The brow area often loses elasticity with age causing your skin to move down, droop and sag, which may give you a tired, sad or angry appearance.

You might decide to have a brow lift if you are unhappy with the appearance of your forehead and brow area and feel self-conscious about the way your brow area looks. Having a brow lift can give you a younger, more refreshed appearance and boost your self-confidence.

You may have a brow lift alone or in combination with other cosmetic procedures such as a facelift, or upper eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty).

The cost of brow lift surgery depends on your individual circumstances. At the time of your appointment your consultant will discuss all options with you and ensure all your questions are answered.

Our fixed-price packages include the cost of your surgery and all appropriate aftercare appointments. However, any pre-surgery diagnostic tests and your consultant's outpatient appointment consultation fee are charged separately.

Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you.

A brow lift raises, tightens and repositions the soft tissue and skin of your forehead. It aims to lift sagging eyebrows, reduce horizontal and vertical lines in your forehead and between your eyebrows and give you a fresher, younger appearance.

If you’re not ready for surgery, there are some non-surgical alternatives to help smooth and lift your brow, reduce lines and wrinkles, and tighten and improve the appearance of your skin.

Botox 

Botox injections can help smooth lines and wrinkles by relaxing the muscles in your forehead.

Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers can be injected around your brow area to lift and add volume giving you a younger, more defined appearance.

Thread lifts

A thread lift works by lifting and tightening your brow area using tiny, dissolvable threads that are gently pulled up to tighten your skin. The procedure also stimulates collagen production which improves your skin texture and reduces wrinkles.

Microcurrent therapy

This non-invasive treatment helps lift your brow area by using electrical impulses to stimulate your muscles and improve your circulation.

Ultherapy

Ultherapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses targeted ultrasound energy to stimulate collagen production and lift and tighten the skin around your forehead and brows.

Laser treatments

Laser treatments work by stimulating your skin’s production of collagen leading to a smoother, younger appearance.

Facial exercises

Exercises that target facial muscles, such as Face Yoga, help to strengthen your facial muscles, improve circulation and release tension in your brow area. This may help reduce wrinkles, improve your skin tone and reduce facial tension leading to a smoother, more relaxed appearance. 

At your first consultation, you will be seen by a consultant plastic or cosmetic surgeon, a doctor specialising in performing aesthetic and cosmetic procedures.

Your consultant will ask you about your reasons for wanting to have a brow lift, and the results you hope to achieve from the procedure. They will ask you about your general health, medical history and any medications you take regularly. Your consultant will perform a physical examination and examine the skin and underlying structures of your face to determine the best approach for surgery. They may take photographs of your face from different angles.

Your first appointment is important as it's where you'll meet your consultant, the doctor responsible for your care. During your appointment, your consultant will spend time getting to know you, discuss your expectations for treatment and encourage you to ask any questions you may have. At Circle Health Group, we want you to be as well-informed and comfortable as possible during your time with us, so please discuss any questions or concerns with your consultant during your appointment.

You may find it helpful to write down any questions you have before your appointment so that you don't forget anything.

You may want to ask about:

• Your consultant's qualifications and experience
• Whether a brow lift is a suitable procedure for you
• The results you can expect to achieve
• The different types of brow lift surgery, and which is most suitable for you
• The type of anaesthetic that will be used
• The recovery process
• Any visible scars after the procedure
• Any potential risks and complications of the surgery

Your consultant will tell you everything you need to do to prepare for your brow lift procedure. Instructions on how to prepare will also be in your appointment letter.

If there’s anything you’re not sure about, or if you have any questions, please contact the hospital for advice.

Pre-operative assessment 

Around a week or two before your surgery, you may need to attend the hospital for a pre-operative assessment to make sure you are fit for surgery. Take any medication you take regularly with you to your appointment. At the preoperative assessment, we will check your weight and blood pressure and order tests such as a blood test, chest X-ray and electrocardiogram (ECG) to evaluate your general health.

Optimise your general health

It's important to be in the best possible health before your brow lift surgery as this will allow your procedure to go as smoothly as possible, speed up your recovery and reduce the risk of any complications after your surgery.

To ensure you are as healthy as possible before your surgery:

• Stop smoking at least eight weeks before your procedure. Smoking increases the risk of complications such as breathing difficulties and infection and can impair wound healing. Your consultant can offer you advice and support with quitting smoking before your surgery
• Follow a healthy, nutritious diet
• Take regular exercise
• Avoid alcohol for a few days before your surgery. Alcohol thins your blood and can increase the risk of bleeding during your operation

Regular medications 

Your consultant may tell you to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners for a few days before your surgery. This is to minimise the risk of bleeding during and after your procedure.

Preparing for after your surgery

You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital after your brow lift surgery and stay with you for the first 24 hours or so to help with tasks such as cooking, cleaning, shopping and driving. 

On the day of your surgery, take a shower before you arrive at the hospital. Do not apply any products to your skin such as lotions, creams, makeup or perfume. Leave any valuables and jewellery at home.

Before your surgery, you’ll need to sign a consent form to say that you agree to have the procedure and are aware of what it entails and the possible risks and complications of the surgery.

Brow lift surgery is usually performed under general anaesthetic, which means you’ll be asleep for the procedure and won’t feel any pain.

There are several types of brow lift surgery. Your consultant will decide on the best brow lift technique for you, based on your facial anatomy and the results you want to achieve.

Traditional (open) brow lift

During this type of surgery, also known as a coronal brow lift, your consultant will make a single incision (cut) from ear to ear just behind your hairline. Your consultant will then remove any excess fatty tissue and tighten your skin, lifting your brow area and smoothing your forehead. The incision is then closed with stitches and a bandage applied. A traditional brow lift normally takes around two hours.

Endoscopic brow lift

This is a less invasive (keyhole) technique where your consultant inserts a flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) through small incisions near your hairline. Special tools are then inserted through the same incisions to lift your brow and hold it in place with sutures. Endoscopic brow lift surgery normally takes between one and two hours.

Temporal brow lift

This type of brow lift, also known as a lateral brow lift, involves making small incisions just above the temples on either side of your head and lifting the outer part of your eyebrows to smooth out wrinkles and drooping skin. It is often combined with upper eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) for optimal results. A temporal brow lift normally takes one to two hours.

Browpexy (mini brow lift)

This is a minimally invasive procedure that focuses solely on lifting your eyebrows using small incisions and sutures or implants to move your eyebrows into a higher position. Unlike a full (open) brow lift, it doesn’t address forehead wrinkles. A browpexy normally takes between 30 minutes and one hour and is often performed in combination with upper eyelid surgery.

Recovering from any type of surgery is a gradual process that is different for everyone. Recovery from brow lift surgery depends on several factors such as your age, general health, the type of procedure you had and your individual recovery process. You can help your recovery to go more smoothly by being as well informed as possible about your surgery and recovery and following your consultant’s post-operative instructions carefully. Call the hospital if you have any questions or concerns.

After your brow lift surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room where you’ll be monitored closely until the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off. You will then be taken to your room.

You can expect to have some pain and discomfort for the first few days after your procedure. Your healthcare team will give you medication to manage this. You’ll also have some bruising and swelling around your eyes and forehead which will improve over the next week. Your consultant may advise you to remain upright, including when you sleep, for the first week after your surgery.

After your surgery, you’ll have bandages around your forehead and may have thin tubes in place to drain any excess blood or fluid. These will be removed after a few days.

You’ll need to spend one night in hospital after your brow lift surgery and will need to arrange for someone to collect you from hospital once you are discharged.

We recommend that you take at least a week off work after your brow lift surgery, longer if you have a manual or very active job. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for at least two weeks after the procedure. You can drive when you can safely control your vehicle and perform an emergency stop.

You can expect to resume most normal activities by around two weeks after your brow lift surgery, but some swelling may remain for several months. You may not see the final results of your brow lift surgery for around six months after your procedure.

Brow lift surgery is a generally safe procedure, but as with any type of surgery, there is a small risk of complications.

Your consultant will explain all the possible risks and complications of brow lift surgery before your procedure and answer any questions you may have. It’s important that you are fully informed about any possible risks and complications before your procedure and are able to make an informed decision. You can help minimise the risk of complications by following the instructions you are given on how to prepare for your procedure and what to do afterwards.

Possible complications of any type of surgery include:

• Adverse reactions to the anaesthetic
• Bleeding 
• Blood clots in the legs or lungs
• Wound infection
• Damage to nearby structures
• Chest infection

Possible complications specific to brow lift surgery include:

• Scarring: Your consultant will do their best to hide any scars behind your hairline, but some scarring may be visible 
• Changes in skin sensation/ numbness
• Reduced movement of your eyebrows
• Hair loss around the incision site
• Altered hairline
• Asymmetry of your eyebrows 
• Dissatisfaction with the result

At Circle Health Group, we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group, you can expect the highest standards of care including:

• Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you 
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs 
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs 
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Private ensuite rooms as standard 
• A range of delicious healthy meals 
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included 
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about brow lift surgery, book your appointment online or call a member of our team today.

Brow Lift - Johns Hopkins Medicine
What is a brow lift? - American Society of Plastic Surgeons 
Brow Lift - Cleveland Clinic