A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift or forehead rejuvenation, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that repositions the forehead to raise the brow, reduce wrinkles, and give a more youthful appearance. The procedure involves raising the soft tissue and skin of the forehead and brow to improve the appearance of the forehead, brow, and area around the eyes. A brow lift can correct creases or wrinkles in the forehead, the horizontal lines across the forehead and on the bridge of the nose, vertical frown lines between the eyebrows, and sagging eyebrows (hooded eyes) to make the eyebrows look more youthful and awake.
Brow lifts can be performed in different ways. Some surgeons prefer using an endoscope and special instruments placed through small incisions made within the hairline. This allows the tissue and muscle beneath the skin to be adjusted, correcting the source of visible creases and furrows in the forehead. Other surgeons prefer to perform a brow lift through what is called a "coronal incision" created from ear to ear across the top of the head within the hair-bearing skin. The forehead skin is then lifted, and any muscle adjustment can be made under direct visualization. The resulting scar from a coronal brow lift is well concealed within the hair.
A brow lift can be done alone or with other facial procedures, such as eyelid surgery or a facelift. A thread brow lift is a minimally invasive type of facelift surgery that uses thin and dissolvable barbed stitches (threads) underneath the skin to pull the skin back and tighten it. The results of a brow lift appear within a few weeks as the swelling and bruising subside.
