A brow lift (forehead lift) is a surgical procedure that elevates a descended eyebrow to a more youthful position. It also reduces forehead wrinkles and furrow lines between the brows. It is frequently combined with upper eyelid blepharoplasty.

What is the difference between a brow lift and blepharoplasty?

A brow lift raises the brow itself; blepharoplasty removes excess eyelid skin. Many patients have both brow descent and excess upper eyelid skin — if the brow is not lifted first, blepharoplasty alone may result in an unnatural appearance or unsatisfactory outcome. An oculoplastic surgeon can determine the correct procedure.

What are the types of brow lift?

The main techniques are: endoscopic brow lift (small incisions behind the hairline, camera-assisted); coronal brow lift (longer incision across the scalp, the most powerful elevation); direct brow lift (incision just above the brow — highest precision, best for men or patients with deep brow furrows); and indirect brow lift (incision in a forehead wrinkle).

Is brow lift recovery painful?

Most patients describe moderate tightness and numbness rather than severe pain. Swelling and bruising peak at 48–72 hours and resolve in 2–3 weeks. Most patients return to social activities within 10–14 days.

Am I a good candidate for a brow lift?

Good candidates for brow lift surgery typically have a descended or drooping brow that affects their appearance or vision, are in overall good health, have realistic expectations about results, and do not smoke or are willing to quit before and after surgery. During a consultation with a fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeon, your brow position, skin elasticity, forehead lines, and medical history will be evaluated to determine if you're an ideal candidate. Age alone is not a limiting factor—what matters most is your goals and ability to follow post-operative care instructions.

What should I expect during a brow lift consultation?

During your consultation, your oculoplastic surgeon will examine your brow position, assess your facial anatomy, discuss your aesthetic goals, and review your medical history to ensure you're a safe surgical candidate. The surgeon may take photographs and use imaging to show you potential results and explain which brow lift technique—endoscopic, direct, or coronal—is best suited for your needs. You'll also receive detailed information about recovery timeline, potential risks, and post-operative care so you can make an informed decision.

How long do the results of a brow lift last?

Brow lift results are long-lasting, with most patients enjoying improved brow position and reduced forehead lines for 10 years or longer. Over time, natural aging and gravity will gradually affect the brow's position, but the improvement achieved during surgery is typically permanent compared to your pre-operative appearance. Some patients choose to undergo revision surgery years later if they desire further enhancement, though this is not necessary for most people to maintain satisfaction with their initial results.

Eyelid

Brow Lift

Surgical elevation of a descended brow — endoscopic, direct, and coronal techniques to restore brow position and reduce forehead lines.

Medically reviewed by Tamara R. Fountain, MDOculoplastic SurgeonLast updated June 2026

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Part of our complete guide to Upper Facial Aging — this page covers brow lift surgery in depth.

What is a Brow Lift

A brow lift (forehead lift) is a surgical procedure to elevate a descended brow to its natural resting position above the orbital rim. As the forehead and brow tissues descend with age, the brows may fall below the supraorbital rim, imparting a tired, heavy, or angry appearance. Brow ptosis can also mimic or worsen upper eyelid skin excess, and it is essential to evaluate brow position before performing upper blepharoplasty.

The brow and upper eyelid are closely related — see Blepharoplasty for details on combined upper eyelid surgery, and Anatomy Overview for the relevant anatomical structures.

Anatomy of the Brow

The brow complex consists of skin, subcutaneous fat, the frontalis muscle, the galea aponeurotica, and the periosteum of the frontal bone. The frontalis is the only elevator of the brow; the corrugator, procerus, and depressor supercilii are antagonist depressors.

Normal brow position (female): The brow begins medially at or just above the supraorbital rim, arches upward, and peaks at the lateral limbus or lateral canthus. The lateral brow sits higher than the medial brow.
Normal brow position (male): Flatter, at the supraorbital rim, with less lateral arch.
Sensory supply: Supraorbital and supratrochlear nerves exit through a notch or foramen along the superior orbital rim and supply the forehead and scalp. These must be protected in all brow lift techniques.
Motor supply: The frontal branch of the facial nerve (VII) courses within the temporoparietal fascia as it crosses the zygomatic arch and ascends over the temple and is the critical structure at risk in temporal approaches.

Coronal Brow Lift

The coronal brow lift uses an incision placed from ear to ear across the top of the scalp, 5–6 cm behind the hairline. It provides the most powerful and predictable elevation of the entire brow and forehead, and allows direct access to the corrugator and procerus muscles to reduce glabellar frown lines.

Procedure at a Glance

Incision hidden within the hair-bearing scalp
Typically provides up to 1–2 cm of brow elevation, though individual results vary
Elevates the entire forehead symmetrically
Not suitable for patients with high hairlines or male pattern baldness
Risks: temporary or permanent scalp numbness posterior to the incision; injury to the frontal branch of the facial nerve (temporary or, rarely, permanent forehead/brow weakness); incision-line hair loss (alopecia); brow asymmetry

Ready to discuss Brow Lift?

Schedule a consultation with Tamara R. Fountain, MD to learn if this procedure is right for you.

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Brow Lift

What is a Brow Lift

Anatomy of the Brow

Coronal Brow Lift

Ready to discuss Brow Lift?

Endoscopic Brow Lift

Direct Brow Lift

Indirect (Mid-Forehead) Brow Lift

Combination with Eyelid Surgery

Recovery

Brow Lift Before & After

Frequently Asked Questions