Overview

Overview

What is a brow lift?

A forehead lift (also referred to as an eyebrow lift or brow lift) minimizes the creases that develop across the forehead or those that occur high on the bridge of the nose, improves frown lines, and repositions low or sagging eyebrows. A forehead lift may also be combined with eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), but unlike eyelid surgery alone, a forehead lift offers a more youthful appearance of the eyebrows and a more rested appearance of the upper face and eyes.

Cleveland Clinic Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Center offer several types of forehead lift procedures, including minimally invasive approaches that hide incisions and minimize visible scars.

Why choose us?

When considering a forehead lift, always look for a board-certified cosmetic surgeon with specialized training and significant experience. For the best results, choose a cosmetic surgeon who is affiliated with a major medical center, such as Cleveland Clinic.

Make sure to ask your cosmetic surgeon about his or her credentials, training and how many procedures he or she has performed.

Before & After Photos

Before & After Photos

How to Prepare

How to Prepare

Am I a candidate for a forehead lift (eyebrow lift)?

A forehead lift, also known as an eyebrow lift or brow lift, is a highly individualized procedure. Good candidates for rejuvenation of the forehead include:

  • Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase risk of surgery.
  • Individuals with a positive outlook and specific, but realistic goals in mind to improve their appearance.

How do I prepare for a forehead lift (eyebrow lift)?

Preparing for your forehead lift at a Cleveland Clinic Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Center may include:

  • Lab testing or a medical evaluation.
  • Taking certain medications or adjusting your current medications.
  • Stopping smoking well in advance of surgery.
  • Avoiding aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements due to increased bleeding.
What to Expect

What to Expect

How is a forehead lift (eyebrow lift) performed?

A forehead lift (eyebrow lift) can be done in a number of ways. The conventional “open” method involves making one continuous incision starting at ear level and moving up around the hairline. The incision is usually made well behind the hairline to hide the scar.

Experts from Cleveland Clinic Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Center surgeons offer innovations in forehead lift procedures including the use of smaller incisions and endoscopic technology to both elevate the eyebrows and reduce frown lines.

With the endoscopic lift, instead of making one long incision, your surgeon will make three to five shorter incisions in the scalp, where an endoscope (pencil-like camera device) is inserted into one of the incisions. This will allow the surgeon to view the tissues and muscles on a television screen.

Your surgeon will use other endoscopic instruments inserted through a different incision, where the forehead skin is lifted and the muscles and underlying tissues are removed or altered to produce a more youthful appearance.

A forehead lift procedure may also be combined with a facelift or any other facial cosmetic procedure.

What are the different types of forehead lift (eyebrow lift) procedures?

Forehead lift (eyebrow lift) approaches offered at Cleveland Clinic Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Center include:

  • Open brow lift (coronal brow lift and hairline brow lift),
    Involves one continuous incision, beginning at the level of your ears and going up around the hairline.
  • Endoscopic lift
    A minimally invasive procedure that uses small incisions in the scalp. An endoscope (small camera on the end of a thin tube) is inserted into one of the incisions and the surgeon views the tissues deep in the skin through a television monitor. A separate device is inserted in another incision to make the necessary alterations. A number of techniques are used to hold the tissue in an elevated position. This approach results in minimal scarring and may shorten recovery time.
  • Browpexy
    Adjusts the brow position through an eyelid incision.
  • Direct brow lift
    Repositions the eyebrow with an incision above the brow hair or in the wrinkles of the forehead. (This approach is usually reserved for elderly males).

Is a forehead lift (eyebrow lift) safe?

All surgical procedures carry some risk. Possible complications from a forehead lift (eyebrow lift) surgery include:

  • Temporary numbness or itching of the forehead and hair.
  • Small amount of hair loss in the area of the incision.
  • Bleeding underneath the skin of the forehead.
  • Prolonged swelling.
  • Injury to the nerve that raises the eyebrow (very rare).
Results

Results

What results can I expect?

The final results of your forehead lift (eyebrow lift) surgery will appear within several weeks. While a forehead lift will not stop the aging process, the procedure is typically very long lasting. View our forehead surgery before and after photos to see results from actual patients.

The effects of the procedure can last many years to an entire lifetime, but some patients may need to have the procedure repeated. Follow-up with a Cleveland Clinic Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Center surgeon, in addition to life-long sun protection, is very important to maintaining your results.

What is involved in recovery?

Recovery from a forehead lift (eyebrow lift) takes time and it’s important that you’re patient with the process.

Your surgeon will recommend a cold compress for 48 hours following surgery with your head elevated when resting. The sutures are removed approximately one week following surgery. Most patients fully recover within two weeks and return to their normal routine.

Insurance & Financing

Insurance & Financing

Insurance rarely covers the cost of elective cosmetic surgery and procedures.

Please call 216.444.4004 and ask to speak with one of our financial representatives who can explain payment options including CareCredit financing.