Gravity and aging can take a toll on the facial features and cause the brows to sag, wrinkles to form around the eyes and on the forehead, and the upper eyelids to look hooded. Brow lift surgery addresses these aesthetic concerns by elevating the eyebrows into a more youthful-looking position and smoothing forehead lines. Our surgical team at Chicago Aesthetic Surgery Institute and MedSpa has many years of experience performing successful brow lift procedures. We have fine-tuned our surgical approach to produce the best possible results. If you are interested in forehead lift surgery in Rosemont, Hoffman Estates, and the greater Chicago area, read on to learn how our talented Chicago cosmetic surgeons can help.
What Is a Brow Lift?
A brow lift is a cosmetic surgery that can help lift drooping eyebrows and refresh the appearance of the upper face. We adjust the position of the forehead and brow tissue, which can reduce the look of heaviness above the eyes and create a smoother, more rested appearance. During this procedure, underlying muscles are adjusted, and excess skin is removed for a comprehensive lift.
What Can Be Addressed With a Brow Lift
- Forehead Wrinkles: Lines across the forehead can become more noticeable with age, especially when the skin begins to lose elasticity. A brow lift can reduce forehead wrinkles by gently repositioning the underlying tissues.
- Sagging or Heavy Brows: When the brows begin to droop, they can overshadow the upper eyelids and create a sense of heaviness in the face. Elevating the brow area can help open up the eyes and help you look more awake and alert.
- Frown Lines: Deep vertical lines between the brows, often called the “11s”, can make you look like you’re frowning, even when you’re not. Lifting and releasing the tension in the underlying muscles can soften these lines and help reduce their prominence.
- Brow Asymmetry: Uneven brows can create a lopsided appearance that draws attention away from your other features. A brow lift allows us to address imbalance by raising one or both brows for a more symmetrical and harmonious result.
Benefits and Risks of Brow Lifts
The brow lift procedure has a gravity-reversing effect on the facial features, as it elevates the brows into a more youthful-looking position. A brow lift will make the patient look more awake and well-rested, while more advanced brow lifts can soften the horizontal lines and creases that develop across the forehead or high on the bridge of the nose. Brow lift surgery can also produce longer-lasting results than non-surgical options and provide a more immediate and significant lift. For a full facial transformation, brow lift surgery may be combined with an eyelid lift or a facelift or neck lift to address the lower section of the face.
The risks with brow lift surgery are rare with an experienced surgeon such as the surgeons of Chicago Aesthetic Surgery Institute. However, they can include the recurrence of brow droop, unfavorable scarring, forehead nerve weakening, bleeding, and infection.
Brow Lift Surgical Options
Coronal (Traditional) Brow Lift
With a coronal brow lift surgery, an incision is made across the top of the scalp and is hidden behind the hairline. This technique gives us full access to lift the entire forehead and brow area. The incision runs ear to ear, and healing takes more time, but the scars remain hidden in the hairline. This technique can often be avoided in favor of less invasive options but may sometimes still be used for situations where extensive changes are indicated.
Hairline (Pretrichial) Brow Lift
For patients with a high forehead, we might recommend a hairline brow lift. Instead of placing the incision behind the hairline, we place it just along the edge of the hairline. That lets us elevate the brows while preserving your natural hair position. We use this approach when we want to avoid raising the forehead any further but still need to smooth lines and reposition the brow.
Temporal (Lateral) Brow Lift
This option focuses only on the outer third of the brows, often called the tail. We make small incisions within the hairline above each temple and lift just the lateral portion of the brow. We often recommend this when the central brow looks fine, but the sides have started to droop, creating a hooded or tired look. It’s a more conservative lift with a quicker recovery, and it pairs well with other facial procedures.
Endoscopic Brow Lift
This is the least invasive type of brow lift, involving only small incisions behind the hairline. During an endoscopic brow lift, a small camera is inserted into the incisions to give us a good view of the underlying structures. Using these small entry points, we can lift the muscles and other tissues into a more youthful position.
How to Prepare for Your Brow Lift
Pre-Surgical Consultation
Before scheduling your brow lift, we’ll sit down with you to go over your concerns, goals, and medical history. This is where we talk through your facial anatomy, evaluate how your brow position affects your overall appearance, and determine which surgical approach makes the most sense for you. We’ll walk you through the entire process, answer your questions, and take the time to make sure you feel confident in your decision. We may also take photos for reference and review any medications or supplements you’re currently taking.
What to Wear
On the day of surgery, wear something loose and comfortable. Consider wearing a top that buttons or zips in the front so you don’t have to pull anything over your head afterward. Avoid makeup, hair products, or jewelry, and keep your hair clean and dry.
What to Avoid Before Surgery
We’ll give you a full list of instructions that apply to your situation before your surgery. In general, however, you’ll want to stop taking blood-thinning medications, including aspirin and certain supplements, in the days leading up to surgery. Smoking can interfere with healing, so we strongly recommend avoiding it for at least several weeks before and after your procedure. Alcohol should also be limited a few days prior since it can increase the risk of bleeding and dehydration.
Planning for Recovery Time
It’s helpful to prepare your home in advance so you can focus on resting afterward. Make sure you’ve got plenty of soft foods, water, and any post-op supplies we recommend. You’ll also want to line up a ride home after surgery and arrange for someone to stay with you for at least the first night. If you work or have other responsibilities, try to clear your schedule ahead of time so you’re not juggling too much while you recover. Setting up a comfortable space with pillows and entertainment can make those early days easier.
The Brow Lift Procedure
Brow lift surgery is performed on an outpatient basis at our accredited Chicago surgical facility. Our licensed anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist administers local or general anesthesia; then, the surgeon makes incisions in the hairline, starting at the ears and extending across the top of the scalp. Incisions are inconspicuously placed so that any scars will not be noticeable. The surgeon then “lifts” and repositions the underlying muscle tissue and removes excess skin. Incisions may also be made in the upper eyelids in some cases. The muscles that create furrows between the brows may be weakened. The incisions are closed with stitches or sutures, and the face may be loosely bandaged.
The Brow Lift Recovery Process
Initial Recovery Timeline
Right after your brow lift, we’ll monitor you in a recovery room before sending you home. You will spend the first few days resting with your head elevated. This helps minimize swelling and gives your body a good start to healing. Bruising and puffiness tend to peak around day two or three, then gradually settle. We usually remove any non-dissolvable sutures within a week, and we’ll check in with you at follow-up visits to track your progress and answer any questions along the way.
When to Return to Normal Activities
Most patients can return to desk work or light daily tasks within 7–10 days, depending on how they’re feeling. If your job involves more physical activity, we may recommend waiting a little longer. Exercise, heavy lifting, or anything that raises your blood pressure can increase swelling, so we’ll guide you on when it’s safe to start moving more. If you are unsure about an activity, reach out, and we will help.
Incision Healing and Scar Care
We make every effort to place incisions in areas where they’ll be least visible, often hidden within the hairline. As they heal, keeping them clean and following your aftercare instructions helps prevent irritation. Once your incisions close, we may recommend topical treatments, massage techniques, or scar gels to support fading.
Non-Surgical Brow Lift Options
Ultherapy®
If you’re not quite ready for surgery, we may recommend Ultherapy as a non-surgical way to lift and tighten the brow area. This treatment uses focused ultrasound energy to stimulate collagen production beneath the skin. We target specific layers of tissue to encourage a gradual, natural-looking lift over the next few months. There’s no downtime, so you can head right back to your day afterward.
Neuromodulators
We can use neuromodulators like Botox® to gently lift the brow without surgery. By relaxing certain muscles that pull the brow downward, we can allow the opposing muscles to lift it slightly. It’s a quick treatment with no downtime, and it’s especially helpful if your goal is a mild elevation or more symmetry. The results typically last about three to four months, and we can adjust the placement or amount depending on how your muscles respond.
Improved Pain Relief With EXPAREL®
We offer EXPAREL to help manage discomfort during the early recovery period. We apply this long-acting local anesthetic directly at the surgical site while you’re still in the operating room. It slowly releases over the next 72 hours, which can eliminate the need for opioids after surgery. Many of our patients feel more comfortable right away, and it helps make those first few days of recovery a little easier. We often use EXPAREL for more involved surgeries such as tummy tucks or breast augmentation, but it can be an option for anyone concerned about pain after surgery. Let us know if you’re interested in using EXPAREL, and we can discuss whether it’s a good fit for you.
FAQs About Brow Lift Surgery
How Long Do Brow Lifts Last?
The results of a brow lift can last for several years. While we can’t stop the natural aging process, lifting the brow restores a more youthful position that holds up well over time. How long your results last depends on your skin quality, lifestyle, and facial muscle movement.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Brow Lift?
Good candidates for a brow lift are those who are healthy, don’t smoke, and have good expectations for what the surgery can and cannot achieve. If you’re taking medications that affect healing or have certain medical conditions, we may need to discuss alternative approaches. Previous facial surgeries or a naturally high hairline might influence which surgical technique we recommend. During your consultation, we’ll look at your anatomy, review your medical history, and talk through your goals to help you decide if this procedure fits you.
How Can I Maintain My Brow Lift Results?
We’ll go over all the ways you can support your results after surgery. Staying consistent with sun protection, using medical-grade skincare, and avoiding smoking are all important. Some patients come in for maintenance treatments like neuromodulators or Ultherapy to extend their results. We’ll create a plan that works with your lifestyle and goals so you can continue to enjoy a youthful, lifted brow.
Can I Combine Different Surgeries?
We can combine brow lift surgery with other facial procedures, depending on what you’re hoping to improve. Some patients also choose eyelid surgery, a facelift, or facial fat grafting if they’re looking for more comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Combining procedures means one recovery period and results that look balanced.
When Is the Right Time for a Brow Lift?
There is no specific age when a brow lift is recommended. Some people seek out a brow lift in their 40s or 50s when they notice more heaviness or sagging, while others wait until later. If your brow position is bothering you, it’s worth having a conversation. We’ll guide you through what makes sense based on your anatomy and preferences.
Will My Brow Lift Results Look Natural?
Natural-looking results are always our goal. We adjust each brow lift to your face, so the results look like you but a little more refreshed. We avoid over-lifting or creating the “surprised” look that patients worry about. Instead, we focus on restoring a natural shape and position that complements your features.
Choosing Your Plastic Surgeon
When you’re considering a brow lift, it’s important to choose a surgeon with both skill and experience in facial procedures. Look for someone who is board-certified, has completed specialized training in cosmetic surgery, and performs brow lifts regularly. Ask to see before-and-after photos, and don’t hesitate to ask detailed questions during your consultation. You should feel confident not just in the surgeon’s technique but also in how well they listen and communicate with you.
At Chicago Aesthetic Surgery Institute, Dr. Stefan Szczerba brings extensive training and experience to every procedure. He’s double board-certified in general and plastic surgery, with fellowships completed at both Emory University and the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary. Dr. Szczerba has earned national recognition, including Castle Connolly’s Top Doctor and RealSelf’s “TOP” doctor distinction. He combines academic expertise with a personal approach that’s focused on helping patients look and feel their best.
Schedule Your Brow Lift Appointment Today
If you would like to speak with one of our plastic surgeons about brow lift surgery, please contact Chicago Aesthetic Surgery Institute and MedSpa to schedule a consultation. Our surgeons are highly experienced at performing a variety of facial rejuvenation procedures, including facelifts, neck lifts, and eyelid surgery in Chicago. In addition, they have been recognized as some of the leading Chicago nose surgery and fat transfer providers. Our team is also pleased to treat Ultherapy Chicago patients who are seeking non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Reach out online or at (847) 853-9900 for more information.
