Quick Summary
- A brow lift repositions drooping eyebrows and smooths forehead creases to create a more open, rested appearance.
- Available techniques include endoscopic, coronal, hairline, temporal, and internal brow suspension procedures.
- Most patients return to work within approximately 10 to 14 days, although recovery varies by surgical technique.
- Results are long-lasting, but natural aging, heredity, and lifestyle factors continue to affect the forehead and brows.
- Fante Eye & Face Center plans each procedure around the patient’s brow position, eyelids, hairline, facial anatomy, and desired expression.
A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, can improve the appearance of a heavy or drooping brow, deep forehead creases, and a tired, worried, or stern expression. While facelift surgery focuses on the lower two-thirds of the face, a brow lift addresses the upper face by repositioning the brows and smoothing the forehead for a more open, rested look.
Fante Eye & Face Center offers brow lift surgery for patients in Denver, Greenwood Village, and nearby Colorado communities with a careful focus on facial balance and natural expression. Dr. Robert Fante is a clinical associate professor at the University of Colorado Medical School and is recognized for his expertise in facial cosmetic and oculofacial plastic surgery, while both Dr. Levitt and Dr. Huang are ASOPRS-trained surgeons and ASOPRS Candidate Members. This specialized background helps the team plan brow lift surgery to refresh the upper face without creating an overly lifted or “surprised” appearance.
What is a Brow Lift?
A brow lift is a procedure usually performed on people aged 40 to 60, in which the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the forehead are lifted, smoothing forehead wrinkles and raising the eyebrows. This gives us a more alert and youthful look. Extra tissue may be removed, and the skin is anchored in its new position, either with or without sutures.
What Problems Can a Brow Lift Fix?
A forehead lift can address the following concerns:
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Droopy or sagging eyebrows
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“Hooding” at the outer part of the eyes
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Wrinkles and creases, such as worry lines
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“Crepeing” appearance of the skin
Types of Brow Lift Surgeries:
Endoscopic Brow Lift
An endoscopic brow lift is performed using a narrow device called an endoscope, a small, hollow tube with a camera and a light at the end. It can be inserted into small incisions. Your surgeon can see on a TV monitor what they’re doing with the endoscope and the muscles and tissue beneath the skin, allowing them to work safely through hidden incisions.
This is the most current, state-of-the-art technique for forehead and eyebrow lifts. It’s minimally invasive and requires only 4-5 very small incisions behind the hairline. Due to the minimal number of incisions required, the recovery period is shorter, as is the risk of hair loss and numbness.
This procedure can be tailored for younger individuals who don’t need as much rejuvenation from a forehead lift and is also very successful in mature adults who want the best possible appearance.
Coronal Brow Lift
This technique is usually reserved for women because, in a man who might become bald at some point, the scar would be clearly visible.
An incision is made behind the hairline across the top of the head.
A precise amount of scalp tissue is removed so that the forehead and eyebrows can be lifted higher above the eyes.
The incision is closed and heals to a delicate scar.
There is sometimes numbness, temporary or rare, in the area between the incision and the crown of the head. Hair loss along the scar occasionally occurs as well.
Hairline Forehead Lift
This method is sometimes used for men or women with a high hairline who would like to lower it so the forehead isn’t so prominent.
The incision is placed at the hairline.
A precise amount of excess skin and tissue is removed, and recovery is much the same as with a coronal brow lift.
The scar is camouflaged by the hairline and fades with time.
Temporal or Lateral Brow Lift
There are two incisions, one in the upper part of each temple. This lifts the brows and forehead laterally into a more desirable position. It does not require the specialized instruments used in an endoscopic lift (described above).
This method can create an outer arched brow look that can be tailored to be very subtle or exotic.
Internal Brow Suspension
Always performed together with an upper blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), this procedure provides only mild lifting and instead stabilizes the eyebrow position to prevent further drooping.
Your surgeon uses the eyelid incisions to access the eyebrow area and places internal sutures.
Depending on the type of brow lift procedure you select, you may need different types of anesthesia, and recovery times may vary widely among forehead lift techniques. Endoscopic and Coronal procedures are almost always performed in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital, while temporal and internal procedures may be performed in our office surgical suite.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Brow Lift?
If your eyebrows have begun to droop, you have horizontal wrinkles across your forehead, or your frown lines give you a worried or angry look, you could be a good candidate. You can test the potential result of a brow lift. Just put your fingers at the Center and outer edge of each eyebrow and raise them up a little. This is approximately what the procedure would do for you.
Alternatives To Brow Lift Surgery
A brow lift is not the only option for improving the appearance of the upper face. Depending on your concerns, our doctors may recommend alternatives or complementary treatments such as Botox, fillers, skin resurfacing, upper eyelid surgery, or other facial rejuvenation procedures.
For some patients, forehead lines or frown lines may be improved with nonsurgical treatments. For others, heaviness around the eyes may be related more to excess upper eyelid skin than to brow position. During your consultation, our doctors can help determine whether brow lift surgery or another treatment option is the best fit for your goals
Patient Testimonial
I had a wonderful experience with Dr Fante and his staff. My tearing problem is gone; plus, my eyes look so much better. Having a surgical procedure can, needless to say, be stressful, but Dr Fante’s skill combined with their outstanding client service made the whole process worry-free.
Eyebrow Lift Procedure
There are several techniques for performing brow lifts, and our team will work with you to decide on the most suitable one for your face:
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Endoscopic brow lifts
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Coronal browlift
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Subcutaneous brow lift
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Temporal or Lateral Brow Lift:
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Internal Brow Suspension:
How Long Does Brow Lift Surgery Take?
Depending on your specific circumstances, the procedure can last anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes.
What is the Recovery From a Brow Lift?
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There will be some bruising and swelling at first. The bruising will fade after 2 or 3 weeks.
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There could be some numbness, but it will be temporary.
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During the first week or so, keep your head elevated, including while you sleep.
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Your stitches will be removed after about a week.
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If there are any bandages, our team will remove them the following day. A second, lighter bandage might be used for a few more days.
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You’ll usually look good enough to return to work after about 2 weeks, although you’ll probably feel fine after the first few days.
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Avoid strenuous exercise during those 2 weeks.
Typically, the recovery time lasts about 2 weeks. Most people return to work after 10 to 14 days. If you had an endoscopic brow lift, the recovery time is shorter than 2 weeks.
Are Brow Lift Results Permanent?
They’re long-lasting, but of course, we all continue to age as the years go by. You’ll look younger and more rested, but your lifestyle and heredity will affect how long the brow lift lasts.
Camouflage Post-Surgery Bruising With Make-up
Are There Risks to a Forehead Lift Procedure?
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At first, you’ll notice some swelling and bruising in the area, and this may persist for up to about 10 days. Cold compresses can help minimize this.
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There may be some mild pain or discomfort at first, and you’ll have a prescription to manage it.
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If there are any dressings or tubes, our team will remove them within a few days.
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The first night afterward, sleep with your head elevated.
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As the first days pass, you may experience numbness and/or itching as the affected areas begin to heal.
Get lots of sleep and rest and don’t worry about things; that will help you heal more quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
A brow lift may improve the upper field of vision when significantly drooping brows push excess tissue toward the eyes. The doctors at Fante Eye & Face Center will evaluate whether your concerns are caused by brow descent, excess eyelid skin, or both before recommending treatment.
Yes. Brow lift surgery is often combined with upper blepharoplasty when both low brows and excess eyelid skin contribute to heaviness around the eyes. Our doctors carefully plan combined procedures to create balanced, natural-looking results without removing too much tissue.
Scar placement depends on the brow lift technique selected. Incisions may be concealed behind the hairline, placed along the hairline, positioned within the temples, or made through an upper eyelid incision. The Fante Eye & Face Center team will recommend an approach based on your hairline, anatomy, and treatment goals.
Why Choose Fante Eye & Face Center For Brow Lift Surgery?
Brow lift surgery requires careful judgment because even small changes in brow position can affect the way the entire face looks. At Fante Eye & Face Center, our doctors evaluate the brow, forehead, upper eyelids, and overall facial structure together so they can recommend a treatment plan that fits your anatomy rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Our team is especially attentive to maintaining natural facial expressions. The goal is not to make the eyebrows look artificially high, but to reduce heaviness, soften forehead tension, and help the eyes appear more open while preserving your natural character.
Because brow drooping can sometimes be confused with upper eyelid heaviness, our doctors can also help determine whether a brow lift, eyelid surgery, nonsurgical treatment, or a combination of procedures is most appropriate. This balanced approach helps patients understand their options before choosing surgery.
Brow Lift Consultation in Denver, Greenwood Village, Castle Pines and Highlands Ranch
If drooping brows, forehead wrinkles, or a tired expression are affecting your appearance, Fante Eye & Face Center can help you explore whether brow lift surgery is right for you. During your consultation, our doctors will evaluate your concerns, discuss your goals, and explain your surgical and nonsurgical treatment options.
To book a consultation with Fante Eye & Face Center in Denver, CO, serving patients from Greenwood Village, Castle Pines and the surrounding communities, call (303) 839-1616 today.