Brow lift

Why do brows drop?

With age the forehead tissues lose elasticity and the brows – especially their outer part – move down. Skin that used to sit above the eye socket slides onto the upper lid. It looks like excess eyelid skin, but the source is higher up. Brow drooping can also result from facial nerve palsy, usually on one side.

Brows or eyelids?

If someone with low brows has only upper eyelid surgery, the result may disappoint and the brows may even sit lower afterwards. That is why at the consultation the doctor assesses brow position at rest, with a relaxed forehead. A simple test: if gently lifting the brow with a finger largely removes the hood over the eye, the problem lies mainly in the brows.

Brow lift methods

• internal browpexy – the brow is stabilised from inside through the same incision used for upper blepharoplasty; good for mild drooping, with no extra scar,
• direct brow lift – removing a strip of skin just above the brow; effective for marked drooping and in older patients, leaves a scar along the upper edge of the brow,
• temporal lift – an incision hidden in the hair-bearing temple skin, lifts the outer brow,
• endoscopic lift – a few small incisions behind the hairline, lifts the whole forehead and brows.

The doctor matches the method to the degree of drooping, brow shape, hairline and your expectations. A brow lift is often combined with upper eyelid surgery in one operation.

Procedure and healing

The procedure is usually done under local anaesthesia. Afterwards there is swelling of the forehead and lids, and bruising may drift down onto the lids for a few days. Skin stitches are usually removed after 7–10 days. Temporary numbness of the forehead may occur and gradually improves over weeks or months.

Risks

Possible complications include brow asymmetry, a visible scar (especially with the direct method), altered forehead sensation and, rarely, reduced forehead movement. The lift may partly relax over time. More on risks and contraindications.

Frequently asked questions