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Brow Lift / Forehead Lift

The forehead is an essential component to evaluate when appraising facial rejuvenation. Whereas the facelift addresses the lower two-thirds of the face, a brow lift/forehead lift focuses on the upper one-third. When a forehead sags, the eyebrows descend and push the upper eyelid tissues downward onto the eyelashes. Women often seek advice about upper eyelid lifts so that they can apply makeup without smudging.  They are surprised when plastic surgeons demonstrate that a forehead lift will correct part, or sometimes all, of their upper eyelid problems, often eliminating the need for upper eyelid corrective surgery. The deep furrowing on the forehead and the frown lines between the brows are also improved with brow lifts. Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Eric Okamoto, can perform brow lift (forehead lift) surgery to address these concerns and help you achieve your goals with natural-looking results.

Brow Lift At a Glance

  • Potential Benefits: Brow lift surgery can elevate sagging brows, soften forehead creases and frown lines, improve upper eyelid crowding, and create a more refreshed, youthful appearance.
  • Customization: Brow lift procedures are carefully tailored according to each patient’s anatomy, degree of brow descent, and cosmetic goals. Surgical techniques may differ for women and men in order to maintain natural-looking results.
  • Procedure: Brow lift surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure. Incisions are often placed behind the hairline to help conceal visible signs of surgery.
  • Recovery: Bruising and swelling are expected during the early stages of healing, though many patients feel comfortable resuming normal routines within one to three weeks, depending on the extent of treatment.
  • Surgeon: Dr. Eric Okamoto is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has extensive experience with facial rejuvenation procedures such as brow lift surgery. He focuses on achieving balanced, natural-looking outcomes without an “overdone” appearance.

What Are the Benefits of Brow Lift Surgery?

Brow lift and forehead lift procedures offer numerous benefits, including: 

  • Reduction in signs of deep wrinkles, lines, and creases between the brows and along the forehead
  • The aesthetic upward curve of the lateral brow is restored or enhanced in the female brow
  • Upper eyelid crowding is improved, often eliminating the need for upper eyelid surgery
  • Application of makeup without smudging is facilitated for women
  • The effects last much longer than injectable treatments and other non-surgical office procedures
  • Creation of a youthful appearance cannot be understated
  • A natural look is accomplished 

Brow Lift / Forehead Lift Goals for Women and Men

Women


Multiple goals are established for forehead lifts in women. The horizontal lines running across the forehead and the vertical lines descending between the eyebrows can be significantly reduced, and sometimes even eliminated. The lateral one-third of the eyebrows is lifted above the orbital rims of the eyes in an effort to enhance a slowly-rising feminine arched appearance. The frown muscles, a frequent target for BOTOX® Cosmetic or Dysport® injections, are detached and partially excised. This addresses furrows that often display an angry or stressed persona. With brow and forehead lift procedures, Dr. Okamoto can create a more youthful appearance with results that look natural and last for years.

Men


Since men typically have different cosmetic goals, the technique differs from women. Instead of enhancing an arched bow, the male forehead lift raises the eyebrows more evenly from side to side. Although this is an operation that is performed less frequently in men, the results are equally gratifying in the properly selected candidates.

Your Brow Lift Consultation

A brow lift consultation is an important opportunity to discuss your concerns, goals, and expectations in detail. During your visit, Dr. Okamoto will carefully evaluate the forehead, brow position, upper eyelids, and surrounding facial structures to determine the factors contributing to a tired, heavy, or aged appearance. Because the brow and forehead directly affect the upper eyelids, this comprehensive assessment can help determine whether a brow lift alone or a combination of procedures may be the most effective approach.

Dr. Okamoto will explain the available treatment options, including the surgical techniques that may best suit your anatomy and desired outcome. The consultation will also cover important topics such as recovery, potential risks, incision placement, and the longevity of results. Patients are encouraged to ask questions and openly discuss their aesthetic goals so they can make informed decisions about treatment.

What Does the Brow Lift / Forehead Lift Procedure Involve?

Brow lifts are performed on an outpatient basis. There are various methods that plastic surgeons utilize. Dr. Okamoto will describe the options available and advise the best for your needs during the initial consultation.

Coronal Brow Lift

In most cases, Dr. Okamoto will utilize the coronal brow lift surgical technique. Incisions for this type of brow lift surgery are usually made behind the hairline, which helps to conceal scars and generally make them unnoticeable. Immediate improvement can be accomplished, which becomes more natural over the next few months.

This treatment can be performed as a standalone procedure or be combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures, such as eyelid surgery, facelift, or fat injections, to further enhance results.

What Is the Brow Lift / Forehead Lift Recovery Process Like?

Recovery depends upon the degree of bruising and swelling caused by the surgery. For some, it can be as little as a week to ten days, but a more conservative guideline is three weeks. Head elevation facilitates the healing process. Strenuous exercising should be avoided during the first two weeks.

Dr. Okamoto will explain all aspects of the brow lift procedure and answer any questions you may have during the initial consultation. If this procedure is a good option for your needs and goals, he will create a customized treatment plan designed to meet your expectations.

Brow Lift Before-and-After Photo Gallery

Featured Cases
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After bna-sample
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Visit Gallery

All of the subjects in the Facelift Gallery have had forehead lifts as part of their makeovers. Please refer to our before and after photos for examples.

Will I Have Visible Brow Lift Scars?

Fortunately, since the incisions for a brow lift are typically placed in areas concealed by the hair, the resulting scars from this procedure are often virtually unnoticeable to others. Dr. Okamoto will explain what you can expect in terms of residual scarring in further detail during the consultation. By following post-operative instructions and taking good care of the incisions during the recovery process, you can increase the likelihood that they will heal properly. In addition to being in a less noticeable area behind the hair, the signs of scarring should also diminish to some degree as time passes.

How Long Does a Brow Lift Last?

The benefits of brow lifts typically last for many years – sometimes a lifetime. However, the longevity of the effects is also dependent on lifestyle habits. It is important to maintain a healthy diet, avoid smoking, and take good care of your skin. With proper care, the results of brow lift/forehead lift surgery can last for a very long period of time.

Is a Brow Lift Safe?

When performed by an experienced, highly qualified plastic surgeon, brow lift surgery is generally considered a safe procedure. As with any surgery, there are risks that should be discussed beforehand, however rare the potential complication may be. These may include temporary swelling, bruising, numbness, asymmetry, weakness and/or paralysis of the forehead, hair thinning near the incision sites, or unfavorable scarring.

Careful planning and surgical precision are important components of a safe and successful outcome. During the consultation, Dr. Okamoto thoroughly evaluates each patient’s anatomy, skin quality, brow position, and medical history to determine the most appropriate treatment approach. This detailed evaluation helps minimize risks while supporting results that can look natural and balanced with the rest of the face.

Following all pre-operative and post-operative instructions is also essential for a smooth recovery. Patients who carefully follow guidelines regarding activity restrictions, incision care, and follow-up appointments are often better positioned for optimal healing and long-term results.

Is a Non-Surgical Brow Lift Possible?

Although it is not possible to achieve results that will last nearly as long as what a surgical brow lift can accomplish, there is a non-surgical alternative to this procedure that may be ideal for some patients who are considering less invasive options for upper facial enhancement. Dysport® injections can benefit individuals who are interested in smoothing out forehead creases and frown lines between the brows. This injectable treatment is very popular for these concerns; however, please note that the results of a “brow lift with Dysport®” are temporary, and follow-up treatment every three-to-six months will be necessary to maintain the effects. Also, no injectable treatment is capable of lifting a sagging brow, or reducing lines and creases in this area with results as long-lasting as a brow lift.

Another non-surgical procedure that may prove beneficial to some patients is called Ultherapy®. This treatment involves the application of ultrasonic energy to the skin, which can help provide a subtle “lifting” effect to the eyebrow areas. Ultherapy® can be a good option by itself, or combined with Dysport® injections.

Dr. Okamoto will be happy to answer your questions and help determine whether a surgical brow lift or a non-surgical treatment will be the better option for your needs and goals.

Complementary Treatments

Although a brow lift can produce significant rejuvenation in the upper face, some patients choose to combine the procedure with additional treatments for more comprehensive facial enhancement. Eyelid surgery is one of the most common complementary procedures, particularly for individuals with excess upper eyelid skin or puffiness around the eyes. Combining these procedures can help create a smoother transition between the brow and eyelid areas. 

Facelift surgery may also be beneficial for patients seeking improvement in the mid-face, jawline, and neck in addition to the forehead and brow regions. For patients interested in non-surgical enhancements, treatments such as Dysport®, dermal fillers, or facial fat transfer (fat injections) may complement brow lift results by addressing dynamic wrinkles or facial volume loss. 

During the consultation process, Dr. Okamoto can help determine whether combining treatments may be appropriate for your goals and develop a customized plan based on your needs. 

For more information on brow lift (forehead lift) procedures, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Eric Okamoto, please contact Fremont Plastic Surgery today.

*Individual results may vary

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