Brow Lift – Forehead Lift
Wrinkles, fine lines, and droopy brows are a normal part of getting older. When they develop in the forehead, brow, and the area around the eyes, they can significantly impact our appearance. Signs of aging can be troubling and make us feel less than our best. These can include sagging in the eyebrows and frown lines across the forehead, making us appear tired, sad, or upset when we don’t feel that way. Beyond that, a heavy, sagging brow may hang over the eyes, making them less visible and occasionally impairing vision. This result of the aging process is called brow ptosis.1
A brow lift can increase eyebrow symmetry, eliminate forehead wrinkles and frown lines, and give the eyes a more youthful appearance. It typically entails lifting the skin and muscles of the forehead as well as other surgical muscle modifications to provide a more youthful appearance.
Defying The Aging Process
The aging process may make patients feel they no longer identify with the person they see in the mirror. While many non-surgical protocols claim to address this problem, very few can produce satisfactory results. At the Aesthetic Facial Plastic Surgery Center, our board-certified facial plastic surgeons, Jonathan Pontell, MD and Dr. Catherine Weng, offer customized brow lift procedures that can treat these issues and improve the overall aesthetic of the face.
Brow Lift – Forehead Lift at a Glance
- Average Cost Range:
- Approximately $8,000 depending on the customized treatment plan
- Discomfort Level:
- Mild to moderate
- Anesthesia Options:
- Local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia
- Recovery Period:
- 10 to 14 Days
- Results Length:
- Long-lasting, although the natural aging process will continue and can affect the results
- Potential Benefits:
- Improving the symmetry of the eyebrows, eliminating forehead wrinkles and frown lines, creating a smoother, firmer forehead, creating more youthful-looking eyes, increasing self-confidence, correcting sagging eyebrows
Topics On This Page:
- What Is a Brow Lift?
- Why Choose Dr. Pontell and Dr. Weng for Your Brow Lift?
- Brow Lift Benefits
- Brow Lift Before-and-After Photos
- Brow Lift Candidates
- Brow Lift Consultation
- Brow Lift Preparation
- Brow Lift Procedure
- Brow Lift Recovery
- Brow Lift Results
- Brow Lift Cost
- Complementary Procedures
- Additional Brow Lift FAQs
What Is a Brow Lift?
A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, is a cosmetic surgery that can take years off of a person’s face, giving their eyes a more open, awake, and alert appearance. A brow lift can reduce signs of lines and furrows between the brows, soften signs of creases and lines along the forehead, and lift the brows higher to address a descended brow that is affecting one’s appearance, or even their vision.
Why Choose Dr. Pontell and Dr. Weng for Your Brow Lift?
Dr. Jonathan Pontell specializes in facial procedures, providing patients with exceptional expertise and experience. As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, he provides a unique, highly-effective approach to his procedures, ensuring the results are natural-looking and achieve his patients’ aesthetic goals. Dr. Pontell has a reputation as a trusted, top facial plastic surgeon. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Pontell’s skilled associate, Dr. Catherine Weng, is also board-certified in facial plastic surgery and is extensively experienced with advanced brow lift surgery techniques, as well. Our doctors will work diligently to ensure the results of your aesthetic journey are satisfying and that your experience is as pleasant as possible.
What Are the Benefits of Brow Lift Surgery?
The primary goal of a forehead lift is to smooth the forehead, effectively minimizing the appearance of wrinkles, creases, and furrows, while simultaneously ensuring the preservation of a naturally positioned eyebrow line. By performing this cosmetic procedure, skilled surgeons like Dr. Pontell and Dr. Weng aim to achieve a rejuvenated and refreshed facial appearance. Whether it is targeting deep forehead lines, horizontal furrows, or sagging eyebrows, our forehead lift procedure aims to restore a more youthful and harmonious overall facial aesthetic.
Reduced Signs Of Aging
Patients often find that fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging are seldom responsive to a healthy skincare regimen alone. Brow lift surgery raises the eyebrows and forehead, giving the patient a smoother appearance and fewer visible wrinkles. This procedure can dramatically reduce sagging, fine lines, and creases in the upper face region.
Improved Facial Harmony
If even one region of the face is out of proportion with the rest, it can dramatically affect the face’s perceived harmony. Upon undergoing a brow lift from our Philadelphia facial plastic surgeons, patients understand how important the placement of the eyebrows and forehead is to the overall facial appearance. Patients typically walk away looking like a younger, more revitalized version of themselves rather than appearing “overdone.”
Increased Self-Confidence
Signs of aging in the face can cause some individuals to feel more reluctant to be social. Once fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, and other signs of aging have been adequately addressed, patients can feel more confident smiling in photos and letting the world see their new, rejuvenated facial appearance. Brow lift results can be life-changing because they often dramatically improve how patients see and feel about themselves.
Am I a Candidate for Brow Lift Surgery?
Ideal candidates for brow lift surgery are typically those who are considering their options to address concerns this treatment is designed to improve and who:
- Are in good physical health
- Have no serious medical conditions
- Do not smoke
- Are not taking blood-thinning medications or can stop taking these before surgery
- Have realistic goals for the results of their brow/forehead lift procedure
Patients of sound body and mind with realistic expectations for the procedure’s outcomes are often considered ideal candidates for a brow lift. If this sounds like you, a brow lift might be the right choice. Patients who do not smoke typically see the most benefit from brow lift surgery. Smokers must stop smoking for at least one month before and after the procedure, as smoking can increase the likelihood of complications during the surgery and healing period.
What Can I Expect in the Brow Lift Consultation?
Before undergoing a brow lift, you will meet with Dr. Pontell or Dr. Weng to fully assess your facial structure, aesthetic goals, and concerns. Your eyebrows and forehead will receive a thorough evaluation to curate a plan that will achieve the best results possible. You should disclose any major health concerns you have, and prepare to answer questions about your medical history. Upon completing his evaluation, Dr. Pontell or Dr. Weng will provide you with a treatment plan. To schedule your consultation, call (610) 688-7100or fill out our contact form.
How Should I Prepare for My Brow Lift?
We will give you personalized instructions to prepare for your brow lift procedure. These will be based on the information that we gather at your consultation. These may include changes to your medications, as well as substances and activities to avoid. You should quit smoking for as long as you can before and after your procedure. You should also avoid blood-thinning substances like ibuprofen and herbal supplements. Preparing for surgery can help to ensure that your procedure goes smoothly and that you can recover safely.
What Does the Brow Lift Procedure Entail?
Traditional Brow Lift
Two different methods exist for performing a traditional brow lift. With one approach, the pretrichial method, our surgeon makes an incision in the fine hairs across the front portion of the hairline and then cuts back into the hair-bearing part of the temples. The other approach, the coronal method, involves hiding the entire incision in the hair-bearing scalp. These incisions create an access point through which our doctor removes excess skin and muscle. The forehead is then elevated to a position that can leave the patient looking younger and more rejuvenated.
Male Brow Lift
It’s no secret that men and women have vastly different facial structures. Male brow lift surgery serves the same function as a traditional brow lift, but it is specifically designed to accentuate the natural features of the male anatomy. With this approach, incisions are made in the creases of the forehead, keeping them hidden. This method allows our surgeon to elevate the eyebrows without affecting a receding hairline, a common occurrence for many men. This process honors the masculine facial structure while revitalizing the forehead. This procedure is also called the mid-forehead brow lift.2
What Can I Expect in the Brow Lift Recovery Period?
Following the treatment, we will wrap your head in a gauze dressing to mitigate bruising and swelling. You must keep your head elevated for the first few days. Most patients can return to work after about one to two weeks and resume exercise after two weeks.
It is essential to bear in mind that the healing process can last several weeks. Most patients will require several months of recovery before the final results are visible. We will provide you with a set of instructions to help you through the recovery process.
When Will I See My Brow Lift Results?
Your results may be partially obscured by swelling for several weeks. When the swelling has gone down, you will be able to see the transformative results that this procedure can have on your brow. The results should be long-lasting, though your face will still be susceptible to the process of aging. Living a healthy lifestyle with a nutritious diet, proper sun protection, and regular exercise can help to slow this process down and keep you looking youthful longer.
How Much Does a Brow Lift Cost?
The cost of brow lift surgery at our practice typically starts at about $8,000. Each brow lift treatment plan is tailored to the individual and is dependent on an initial consultation, so it is important to understand that the cost of these procedures varies among individual patients. If additional treatment options are included in the customized treatment plan, the price will be more. A member of our team can create a personalized cost estimate once your treatment plan is in place and go over the details with you. Our practice accepts a wide variety of convenient payment options, including financing plans available for qualified applicants through reputable third-party healthcare financing agencies. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Complementary Procedures
While most brow lift procedures are surgical, Dr. Pontell and Dr. Weng also provide non-surgical options such as Ultherapy® and BOTOX® Cosmetic. Patients who are seeking a brow lift procedure may also benefit from receiving a blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), facelift, or dermal fillers at the same time. These non-surgical treatments can further improve the brow lift results by smoothing out wrinkles, adding volume to the face, and filling in areas that have become hollow.
Additional Frequently Asked Questions About Brow Lift Surgery
Do brow lifts leave visible scarring?
Every technique is different in terms of where the incisions are made. Incisions are hidden in forehead creases, the hairline or in the hair bearing scalp, making them virtually invisible to onlookers. Scarring should fade over time.
Are brow lift procedures painful?
Patients will likely feel some pain and discomfort for the first few days following the procedure. A prescription for oral pain medication can help mitigate these effects.
Should I get a revision brow lift?
In some cases, patients may undergo a revision brow lift because the results of a previous procedure were not to their liking. It is a good idea to wait until at least six months after the healing process has finished before considering a revision procedure. Our doctor can assess whether a patient is a good candidate for a brow lift revision.
Can I get a brow lift without surgery?
In some cases, some of the concerns that a brow lift is capable of addressing can be improved without surgical intervention. Options such as BOTOX® Cosmetic or XEOMIN® injections can temporarily reduce signs of furrows and lines between the brows or along the forehead to create a more youthful and refreshed appearance. This treatment offers a less invasive alternative with little to no downtime necessary. With that in mind, it is important to note that the results of solutions like BOTOX® Cosmetic typically last about three to four months before re-treatment will be necessary to maintain the effects. In addition to the fact that results will not be as long-lasting, non-surgical options may not be able to address certain types of concerns that a brow lift is designed to improve. Our plastic surgeon can talk with you about your needs and ultimate treatment goals to help you determine whether brow lift surgery or a non-surgical option is best.
How long does a brow lift last?
Surgical brow lifts can provide long-lasting results, often producing positive aesthetic outcomes between 5 to 10 years or more. The longevity of the results can be influenced by factors such as age, skin quality, and lifestyle. Each patient is different and can experience a varying timeframe for results; however, this treatment generally creates outcomes that last several years into the future.
Are a brow lift and forehead lift the same thing?
The terms “brow lift” and “forehead lift” are often used interchangeably and refer to similar cosmetic procedures aimed at rejuvenating the upper face. These surgeries involve lifting and tightening the skin and tissues of the forehead and brow area to reduce wrinkles, frown lines, and sagging skin. The primary goal is to create a more youthful and refreshed appearance. While subtle differences may exist in the targeted areas and methods, the overall purpose and benefits of a brow lift and forehead lift are largely the same.
Is brow lift surgery covered by insurance?
Brow lift surgery is typically considered a cosmetic procedure, and as such, it is usually not covered by insurance. Insurance companies generally do not cover elective surgeries performed solely for aesthetic purposes. However, if the brow lift is deemed medically necessary, such as when sagging brows may contribute to significantly impaired vision, some insurance plans may offer some type of coverage. To determine eligibility for coverage, a thorough evaluation by a medical professional is required, along with documentation and evidence supporting the medical necessity of the procedure.
Medical References
- De Jong R, Hohman MH. Brow Ptosis. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
- Jawad BA, Raggio BS. Direct Brow Lift. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov//
