Don’t let a sagging brow stop you from expressing yourself

Using endoscopic techniques, our cosmetic surgeons can help lift your brow and reduce signs of aging with smaller incisions and less recovery time

Sagging of the eyebrow and forehead is one of the early signs of aging. This is manifested by drooping or furrowing of the forehead, as well as the development of horizontal and vertical forehead creases.

The brow may descend and seem to lie on the eyelashes, resulting in an appearance of excess eyelid skin. Patients often complain that their eyes appear to be getting smaller or that their mascara or eyeliner usually ends up high on the upper part of the lids. This condition can be greatly improved with a forehead lift.

Our Cosmetic Surgeons

Dr. Jacob Haiavy and Dr. Emma Ryan are passionate about cosmetic surgery. As diplomates of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, they have the expertise to personalize every aspect of your procedure and deliver safe, beautifully natural results.

Inland Cosmetic Surgery Drs. Jacob Haiavy and Emma Ryan, American Board of Cosmetic Surgery

What happens during a forehead lift?

A forehead lift can be thought of as the upper facelift. Forehead lifts previously involved long incisions made across the forehead, but now thanks to the development of endoscopic surgery, we are able to perform the surgery through small, inconspicuous incisions. The endoscopic surgery technique uses optical telescopes with video imaging to allow visualization of surgical sites not readily accessible.

We will begin by making five short incisions just above the hairline where they are easily hidden. Special instruments and a small telescope are inserted and dissection is carried out with video monitoring. The forehead is freed down to the brow. The muscles creating the wrinkles and frown lines are treated with a laser or electrocautery, which allows pinpoint accuracy with minimal bleeding. After mobilization, the brow and forehead are rotated to the desired position and fixed with sutures. No skin is removed.

Before & After Gallery

More brow lift techniques

Endoscopic brow lift

An endoscopic brow lift is a minimally invasive procedure that uses small incisions hidden within the hairline. A tiny camera, or endoscope, is inserted through these incisions to guide the surgeon in lifting and repositioning the underlying muscles and tissues. This technique results in minimal scarring and reduced recovery time. It is ideal for patients seeking subtle improvements and less invasive options.

Open brow lift

The open brow lift, also known as the coronal or classic brow lift, involves a single, continuous incision made across the scalp, usually behind the hairline. This approach allows the surgeon to remove excess skin, adjust muscles, and lift the brow to a more youthful position. The open brow lift provides significant and long-lasting results, making it a preferred choice for patients with more pronounced signs of aging and deeper forehead wrinkles.

Temporal lift

The temporal lift, or lateral brow lift, specifically targets the outer sections of the brows and forehead. Incisions are made within the hairline at the temples, allowing the surgeon to elevate the outer brow area. This technique is excellent for patients who experience sagging in the outer brow region but do not require a full brow lift. The temporal lift offers a subtle, refreshed appearance with minimal downtime and scarring.

Recovery after a brow lift

After surgery, there may be some swelling and bruising around the eyes and upper face. With the use of the endoscope and the laser, recovery is fairly quick compared to previous methods. One of the possible complications reported with this operation is damage to one of the fine motor nerves that control movement of the forehead. This is rare, and in most cases it resolves spontaneously, although it may take a few months.

An endoscopic forehead lift can be performed as an isolated procedure or in combination with a facelift or blepharoplasty for enhanced results. Our experienced cosmetic surgeons at Inland Cosmetic Surgery feel that this technique is superior to the older techniques of forehead, brow, or coronal lifts because it minimizes incisions and allows for faster recovery. Our patients have been highly satisfied with this procedure.

  • Elevated Eyebrows: A brow lift raises drooping eyebrows, which can give a more youthful and alert appearance to the face.
  • Reduced Forehead Wrinkles: The procedure smooths out wrinkles and lines on the forehead, contributing to a more youthful and relaxed facial expression.
  • Diminished Furrows: It effectively reduces the appearance of deep vertical furrows between the eyebrows, often known as frown lines.
  • Minimal Scarring: Incisions are typically made within the hairline or along natural skin creases, minimizing visible scarring.
  • Anesthesia: Medications used to prevent pain during surgery. For a brow lift, it can be local (numbing the forehead area) or general (patient is fully asleep).
  • Brow Lift (Forehead Lift): A cosmetic surgical procedure aimed at raising the eyebrows and improving the appearance of forehead wrinkles and upper eyelid sagging.
  • Coronal Brow Lift: A traditional brow lift technique involving an incision across the top of the head, behind the hairline, to lift the entire forehead and brow area.
  • Endoscopic Brow Lift: A minimally invasive brow lift technique using an endoscope (a surgical video device) and special instruments through small incisions in the hairline.
  • Frown Lines: Vertical lines between the eyebrows, often targeted in a brow lift procedure to create a smoother forehead appearance.
  • Incision: A surgical cut made during a brow lift. The location and length depend on the technique used, such as coronal, endoscopic, or temporal.
  • Lateral Brow Lift (Temporal Lift): A brow lift technique focusing on the outer part of the eyebrows, usually involving smaller incisions within the hairline at the temples.
  • Recovery Time: The period required for healing after a brow lift, including guidelines for activity restrictions and care for incisions.
  • Temporal Lift: See Lateral Brow Lift.
  • Trichophytic Forehead Lift: A technique where the incision is made directly at or slightly behind the hairline, allowing for the removal of forehead skin and adjustment of the hairline.
  • Upper Eyelid Hooding: The sagging of the upper eyelid skin, which can be reduced with a brow lift, enhancing the eye’s appearance.
Schedule a consultation to learn more

To learn more about brow lift surgery—its risks, benefits, cost and the many options available—contact our Inland Empire cosmetic surgery office, also convenient to Upland, Fontana, Ontario, and Riverside.

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Portrait of Dr. Jacob Haiavy smiling

Medically reviewed by Dr. Jacob Haiavy — Updated on Jan 30, 2025