An endoscopic forehead lift raises the brows through three to five short incisions hidden in the scalp, using a thin camera to release and reposition the brow tissue from underneath. Scars are small and hidden in hair. Most people return to work in 10 to 14 days. It lifts the brow well but doesn’t markedly smooth deep forehead lines.
This guide belongs to our brow lift overview. It explains the procedure and what recovery looks like each week.
How an endoscopic forehead lift works
The surgeon uses a camera through small scalp incisions to free the brow from the bone, lift it and fix it in a higher position.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US) describes the steps:
- Anaesthesia: IV sedation or general anaesthesia.
- Incisions: several short incisions within the hairline. An ASPS article puts the number at three to five.
- Release: through an endoscope, the surgeon works under the forehead tissue and releases its attachments along the upper rim of the eye socket.
- Lift and fixation: the brow is raised and held in position while it heals.
- Closure: sutures, skin adhesive or clips.
Fixing the lifted tissue is the technically demanding part. A 2015 paper in GMS Interdisciplinary Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery described the endoscopic lateral approach as the most common brow lift but noted that stable anchoring can be difficult.
In my practice, I recommend the endoscopic approach mainly for people with a normal or low hairline. If the forehead is already high, lifting from behind the hairline can raise it further.
Recovery week by week
The endoscopic brow lift recovery week by week moves from swelling and a head wrap to normal work at two weeks and full healing over months.
| Time | What you’ll notice | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1 to 3 | Head wrap or tape; tightness, headache-like ache; swelling moving down toward the eyes | Rest with head raised; no ice or heat on the forehead |
| Week 1 | Bruising around the eyes; numbness and itching on the scalp | Gentle hair washing when allowed; avoid bending and straining |
| Week 2 | Stitches or clips removed; swelling easing | Return to work and normal activity at 10 to 14 days |
| Weeks 3 to 6 | Most visible swelling gone; brow may still sit slightly high | Resume exercise as your surgeon advises |
| Months 2 to 6 | Sensation gradually returns; brow settles into position | Protect incisions; daily sun protection |
ASPS advises keeping the head raised, protecting incisions from force or friction and avoiding vigorous activity for as long as your surgeon recommends. Initial healing takes 10 to 14 days, and complete recovery may take several months. Our brow lift recovery day by day covers the first two weeks in more detail.
Results
Expect a higher, more open brow with hidden scars; deep horizontal forehead lines usually need Botox as well.
ASPS says results are visible immediately and settle over the next few months. An ASPS article notes the endoscopic lift doesn’t markedly improve forehead wrinkles and that most brow lift patients still use Botox for fine-tuning.
A 2018 review in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, covering 76 studies, found each brow lift technique had its own complication profile. Endoscopic lifts had the highest rate of hair loss at the incisions, at 2.8%. Other risks listed by ASPS include numbness, intense itching, asymmetry, a raised hairline and, rarely, facial nerve injury.
For outer-brow-only lifts and hairline approaches, see our brow lift types comparison. Costs are covered in the forehead lift cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Answers on endoscopic brow lift recovery week by week, scars, how long it lasts and who suits the procedure.
What is the endoscopic brow lift recovery week by week?
Week one brings swelling, bruising around the eyes and scalp numbness. By week two, stitches or clips come out and most people return to work. From weeks three to six, swelling fades. Sensation and the final brow position settle over several months.
Will I have visible scars?
Incisions are short and placed within the hair, so they are usually hidden. A 2018 review found hair loss around endoscopic incisions in 2.8% of cases. If your hair is very thin or your hairline is receding, discuss scar placement with your surgeon.
How long does an endoscopic forehead lift last?
Results are long-lasting, but the brow keeps aging and fixation can loosen over time. Many people use Botox afterwards to maintain the result and soften forehead lines. Sun protection and a healthy lifestyle help results last, according to ASPS.
Who is a good candidate for an endoscopic forehead lift?
Healthy non-smokers with drooping brows and a normal or low hairline usually suit it. People with a high forehead may do better with a hairline incision, and those needing only an outer-brow lift may suit a temporal approach.
If you’d like to find out whether an endoscopic lift suits your brow and hairline, you can book a consultation with Metropole Clinic by ABmedi. For other techniques, return to the brow lift hub.
This article is for general education and does not replace a personal medical consultation.
References
Show sources
- Brow lift: Procedure steps. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- Brow lift: Recovery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- Brow lift: Safety. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- Brow lift: Results. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- Willson A. Brow lifts vs Botox: Do you need one or both? ASPS. 2025. plasticsurgery.org
- Cho MJ, Carboy JA, Rohrich RJ. Complications in Brow Lifts: A Systemic Review of Surgical and Nonsurgical Brow Rejuvenations. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2018;6(10):e1943. doaj.org
- Ueberreiter K, et al. Subcutaneous lateral brow lift (“Z-lift”). GMS Interdiscip Plast Reconstr Surg DGPW. 2015;4:Doc16. egms.de
