Forehead and Brow Lift

There are various surgical approaches to a brow lift. Cosmetic forehead and brow lifts are performed either as an endoscopic brow lift (minimally invasive incisions entirely hidden within the hair) or a trichophytic brow lift (anterior hairline incision meticulously hidden along the hairline). Patients with a tall forehead who wish to reduce the height of their forehead may have this added benefit with the trichophytic approach. Both of these surgical approaches allow for lifting of the entire forehead and brow and softening of the forehead wrinkles.

In patients with severe brow ptosis affecting the peripheral vision by visual field testing, insurances may sometimes cover for functional brow lift surgeries. These may be performed with incisions that hide either just above the eyebrow hair, or in deep wrinkles within the forehead. These functional approaches may result in more noticeable scars as compared with the cosmetic approaches. Read more about the different surgical approaches on the American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeWiki here.

Many patients are interested in having upper blepharoplasty performed at the same time as the brow lift. Combining upper blepharoplasty with a brow lift often gives a stunning result restoring the youthful appearance of the eyes. Other patients who have lower eyelid bags and dark circles often also choose to combine lower blepharoplasty with the above, providing a harmonious and balanced rejuvenation to the upper face.

Oculofacial plastic surgeons such as Dr. Shannon S. Joseph, and facial plastic surgeons such as Dr. Andrew W. Joseph, are fellowship-trained and highly specialized in working with the facial areas around the eyes. In addition, Dr. Joseph is a board-certified ophthalmologist, which means she also has a keen understanding of what it takes to protect the health of the eyes and always takes this into consideration when performing eyelid and brow surgery.

We are firm believers in enhancing our patients' natural beauty. We will set the brow height and contour specifically tailored to each patient's unique personal and cultural features. The goal is to make you look naturally beautiful and youthful and not look overdone or surprised.

Each patient will receive a comprehensive evaluation and customized surgical plan during consultation. Our surgeons will take their time to listen to your concerns and discuss everything with you in detail. We will then work together with you to design an individualized surgical plan optimized for you. Learn more about why patients choose us.

A brow lift surgery may be performed with patients awake, under twilight anesthesia, or fully asleep.  We individualize the plan for anesthesia based on patient preference, whether additional procedures are planned, and the patient's overall health.

Surgical recovery varies from person to person, but most patients can return to work a week after surgery.  Most patients may experience mild discomfort and a headache-like sensation for the first few days, though we may prescribe some stronger pain medication to be used on an as needed basis.

Following surgery, patients will be seen in the office approximately 5-10 days later to evaluate healing.  Bruising and swelling will be present after surgery.  This is most noticeable during the first few days after surgery, but minor swelling can persist for several weeks.  If desired, most patients may begin wearing eye makeup if there are no eyelid incisions.

Please refer to our additional resources for general pre-operative and post-operative instructions to ensure that your surgery and recovery goes as smoothly as possible.

Brow lift is often considered a cosmetic procedure and not covered by insurance. However, occasionally, when the brow drooping is severe enough to impact vision, some insurances may cover this procedure. At your in-person consultation, we will perform the testing and measurements needed to for your insurance to review and determine whether you may be eligible for coverage.