Brow Lift Surgery

Brow lift surgery raises a brow that has dropped over time, giving the eye area a fresher look and, in some patients, reducing the look of upper eyelid sagging. The drop develops as forehead skin and the tissue supporting the brow loosen with age, more noticeable at the outer brow, giving the eyes a tired or angry look. Op. Dr. Anıl Kaya, an eye surgeon (ophthalmologist) in Istanbul, plans this surgery once the examination clarifies how much the low brow contributes.

Anaesthesia: local anaesthesia, with sedation support if preferred. Duration: about 60–90 minutes. Hospital stay: day case. First noticeable improvement: 1–2 weeks.

Brow lift is used when a low brow contributes to sagging upper eyelids. In some patients the real problem is the brow itself, not the eyelid skin, and the examination makes this distinction because each needs a different surgery. Brow drop is often uneven between the two sides, creating mild facial asymmetry that patients try to compensate for by raising the eyebrows or tensing the forehead — which can leave permanent lines over time. Eyelid skin excess and brow drop are weighed together to decide which surgery comes first.

It is considered for patients with a noticeable brow drop that gives them a tired look around the eyes, and whose forehead skin is flexible enough for surgery. A serious forehead skin condition, or anything that could delay healing, is also weighed.

If the real problem is excess upper eyelid skin with a normal brow position, upper blepharoplasty may be the better choice. Previous forehead surgery or a tissue problem may need extra assessment.

Before surgery, the brow position, forehead skin flexibility, and its contribution to eyelid sagging are assessed together, along with the hairline position for the endoscopic technique and the patient general health history and medications. The examination also compares the brow at rest with its raised position when tensed.

The technique depends on the degree of brow drop and forehead skin flexibility. In the endoscopic approach, a camera passes through small incisions hidden in the hairline; the muscles pulling the brow down are released and the tissue lifted and fixed in place, leaving less visible scarring. The direct approach uses a thin incision above the brow for a more limited, localised lift. Fixation uses special sutures or small anchoring points, with the lift amount planned at the examination for a natural, proportionate look. It is done as day surgery under local anaesthesia, with sedation if needed.

1. 1Choosing the Technique. The endoscopic or direct technique is chosen based on the degree of brow drop and the flexibility of the forehead skin.
2. 2Small Incisions. In the endoscopic approach, several small incisions are made within the hairline; in the direct approach, a thin incision is made just above the brow.
3. 3Releasing the Muscles. The muscles pulling the brow down are released and the tissue is lifted.
4. 4Fixation. Special sutures or small anchoring points are used to help the tissue hold its new position.
5. 5Planning and Application. The amount of lift is planned within limits set during the examination; the procedure is performed as day surgery under local anaesthesia, with sedation support if needed.

In the first days, swelling, mild tightness and temporary forehead numbness can occur, usually easing within a few weeks. Stitches, if used, come out after about a week, and the hairline incision site may feel tender for a while. Keeping the head slightly raised on a pillow can help reduce swelling. Following the doctor check-up schedule matters, and recommended pain relief and rest help recovery go smoothly.

The rise in brow position is usually visible early, though the tissue can take a few months to fully settle. The result is a higher, fresher brow with a more open, less tired look around the eyes, giving the upper face an overall sense of freshness.

Brow lift alone does not remove excess upper eyelid skin; if both a low brow and excess skin cause the sagging, the two procedures can be considered together. It does not remove forehead lines entirely, since some relate to muscle movement. Results vary between patients, and forehead skin thickness and flexibility affect the outcome.

Risks include temporary numbness, asymmetry, over-elevation of the brow, bleeding and infection, explained to each patient during the examination. In the endoscopic technique, a temporary thinning may be felt near the hair roots, usually not permanent. Rarely, the anchoring points may be felt under the skin and need a small adjustment; resulting asymmetry can usually be corrected the same way.

In brow lift surgery, Op. Dr. Anıl Kaya aims for a natural brow position that does not look overdone, and can plan it with upper blepharoplasty when needed, so the result fits the face overall expression rather than a startled look. The brow relationship with the upper eyelid and forehead lines is assessed as a whole before surgery.

If the real cause of sagging is the eyelid skin, upper blepharoplasty alone may be enough. Non-surgical options such as botulinum toxin or thread treatments do not give a permanent lift — the effect is temporary and needs regular repeating. Temporary options can be discussed for mild brow drop if the patient is not ready for surgery.

For more on how brow drop relates to eyelid sagging, see the sagging upper eyelid page; for excess eyelid skin, see the upper blepharoplasty page.

A comparison of brow lift with other eyelid procedures is on the procedure comparison page, useful if you are unsure whether your concern is brow drop or eyelid sagging.

Most patients return to daily life within a week; activities that put pressure on the forehead and strenuous exercise should wait for the period the doctor specifies. Hair washing and brushing should follow the doctor guidance at first. Physical jobs may need a longer return to work than desk jobs.

Some images from patients treated at our clinic.

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You can book an appointment with Op. Dr. Anıl Kaya to discuss how your brow affects the look of your eyes.