Brow Lift & Forehead Lift: Types, Results, Recovery and Cost
A forehead lift, also called a brow lift, is surgery that raises low or sagging eyebrows and smooths forehead and frown lines by repositioning the skin and muscles of the forehead. It is done through small incisions in the hairline, at the temples, along the hairline or above the brows. Most people return to work in 10 to 14 days.
This page is the hub of our brow lift series. It covers the basics and links to detailed guides. Note that this is about surgical brow lifting, not salon brow lamination.
| Quick facts | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Anaesthesia | IV sedation or general (ASPS) |
| Main types | Endoscopic, temporal, hairline, coronal, direct |
| Back to work | 10 to 14 days (ASPS) |
| Full recovery | Several months |
| US surgeon fee, 2024 | $4,000 to $7,500 (ASPS) |
What is a forehead lift?
Brow lift definition: surgery that lifts drooping brows and smooths forehead lines, often making the upper eyelids look less hooded.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US) says a brow lift treats horizontal forehead lines, frown lines between the brows and sagging brows that hood the upper eyelids, placing the brows in a more alert position. A forehead and brow lift is often combined with eyelid surgery, a facelift or skin resurfacing.
Most brow lifts are done in older adults. In 2024 ASPS data, 59% of forehead lifts were in people aged 55 to 69 and 22% in those aged 40 to 54. Good candidates are healthy, don’t smoke and have realistic goals. If hooded lids are your main concern, our hooded eyes guide explains whether the brow or lid is the cause.
Types of brow lift
The brow lift operation varies by incision: endoscopic and coronal sit in the hair, temporal lifts the outer brow, direct sits above the brow.
| Type | Incision | Main use |
|---|---|---|
| Endoscopic | 3 to 5 short cuts in the scalp | Whole brow lift with hidden scars |
| Temporal (lateral) | At the temple hairline | Outer brow only |
| Anterior hairline (trichophytic) | Along the front hairline | High foreheads; avoids raising the hairline |
| Coronal | Across the top of the head in the hair | Larger lift; longer scar hidden in hair |
| Direct | Just above the brow hairs | Strong, precise lift; visible scar risk |
| Browpexy | Through an upper eyelid incision | Mild lift with eyelid surgery |
An ASPS article quotes a surgeon noting there are dozens of techniques and no single leading one. Each has its own risk profile, which our brow lift types comparison covers. For the most common hidden-scar method, see the endoscopic forehead lift guide.
Before & after
Results are visible straight away but settle over a few months as swelling fades and incision lines soften.
ASPS says brow lift results are immediately visible, with the final result appearing over the next few months. Sun protection and a healthy lifestyle help them last. Good results aren’t certain, and revision is sometimes needed. A natural result keeps the inner brow low enough to avoid a surprised look. Our brow lift before and after guide explains what to look for, and brow lift gone wrong covers problems and fixes.
In my practice, I mark the planned brow position with the patient sitting up and relaxed. Overcorrecting the inner brow is the most common reason a forehead lift looks unnatural.
Recovery
Expect taping or a head wrap, possibly a drain, a return to work at 10 to 14 days and full recovery over several months.
ASPS describes a recovery with the forehead taped or head loosely wrapped, sometimes a small drain, and keeping the head raised. Don’t apply ice or heat to the area. Swelling fades over several weeks, and initial healing takes 10 to 14 days. Numbness and itching along the scalp are common as nerves recover. Our brow lift recovery day by day guide goes into detail.
Risks to discuss
- Numbness, altered sensation or intense itching.
- Hair loss around incisions or a raised hairline.
- Asymmetry and, rarely, facial nerve injury affecting brow movement.
- Bleeding, infection, poor healing and unfavourable scarring.
Cost
ASPS reports a 2024 US surgeon-fee range of $4,000 to $7,500 for a forehead lift, with anaesthesia and facility fees extra.
ASPS lists an average surgeon fee of $5,460, excluding anaesthesia, facility and other costs. Insurance generally doesn’t cover a brow lift. Price depends on the surgeon’s experience, the technique and location. See our forehead lift cost guide.
Botox brow lift
A Botox brow lift treatment gives a mild, temporary lift by relaxing the muscles that pull the brow down; it can’t reposition tissue.
According to an ASPS article, Botox relaxes the muscles that pull the brows down, giving a mild lift, but it can’t reposition sagging tissue. It suits younger people or those with mild drooping, and many brow lift patients still use Botox afterwards for fine-tuning. Our Botox brow lift guide covers injection points, and non-surgical brow lift options covers threads, ultrasound and natural methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Answers on how long a brow lift lasts, how to lift the forehead without surgery, scars and combining with eyelid surgery.
How long does a brow lift last?
It depends on the technique. An ASPS article notes a temporal brow lift lasts a long time, while a browpexy done through the eyelid may start to fall after a few years. Aging continues, and many people use Botox to maintain the result.
How can I lift my forehead without surgery?
Botox can lift the brow slightly and soften lines for a few months. Focused ultrasound gave brow lifts of about 0.5 to 1.7 mm in studies. Exercises have no good evidence. For significant drooping, surgery is the only reliable way to lift the forehead.
Will a forehead and eyebrow lift leave scars?
Endoscopic and coronal scars are hidden in the hair. A hairline incision may show but can be covered with bangs. A direct brow lift leaves a scar just above the brow. ASPS lists hair loss around incisions and unfavourable scarring as possible risks.
Can a brow lift be combined with eyelid surgery?
Yes. ASPS says a brow lift can be done with upper or lower eyelid surgery. Lifting the brow first can reduce how much eyelid skin needs removing, and sometimes makes separate eyelid surgery unnecessary, according to a surgeon quoted by ASPS.
Guides in this series
Explore each topic in depth, from techniques and recovery to costs, results, injectables and fixing problems.
- Direct, temporal and hairline lifts compared
- Endoscopic forehead lift
- Recovery day by day
- Surgical brow lift before and after
- Forehead lift cost
- Botox brow lift and injection points
- Non-surgical and natural options
- When a brow lift goes wrong
If you’d like your brow position assessed, you can book a consultation with Metropole Clinic by ABmedi.
This article is for general education and does not replace a personal medical consultation.
References
Show sources
- Brow lift. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- 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
- Brow lift: Cost. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- 2024 Cosmetic Procedures: Average Cost. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). 2025. 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
- Contini M, et al. A Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Microfocused Ultrasound for Facial Skin Tightening. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(2):1522. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
