Brow lift

Surgery to raise and reshape a heavy or low brow and smooth the forehead, usually for a less tired or frowning look.

✓ Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant · last reviewed September 2026 · next review September 2027 · how we review

In short

A brow lift raises a heavy or low brow and smooths the forehead — it does not treat eyelid skin or skin texture on its own.
Forehead and scalp numbness is common for a time and can occasionally be long-lasting; injury to the nerve that raises the brow is rare but serious.
Most people take around two weeks off, with bruising and swelling settling over a few weeks and the final result over months.
It is rarely available on the NHS for cosmetic reasons, and the surgeon who operates should consent you and discuss whether eyelid or other treatment would suit you better.

A plain-English summary. The detail — including risks and recovery — is below.

At a glance

TypeSurgical procedure

AnaestheticGeneral anaesthetic, or local with sedation depending on technique

How long it takesAbout 1–2 hours

Hospital stayUsually day case

Time off workAbout 2 weeks

When you'll see resultsBruising and swelling settle over 2–3 weeks; final result over a few months

On the NHS?Not usually available on the NHS for cosmetic reasons

A general guide. Your surgeon will give you advice for your situation.

Best fit

Raises a heavy or low brow that is making the face look tired or cross

Pause if

Your main concern is loose eyelid skin or skin texture, which a brow lift will not fix on its own.

Main recovery point

Expect swelling and tightness; keep your head raised and rest. You may have a head wrap. Avoid bending and straining, which can worsen swelling or...

Good aftercare

A named contact and out-of-hours route for problems such as bleeding, infection or a new droop.

First 24–48 hours

Expect swelling and tightness; keep your head raised and rest. You may have a head wrap. Avoid bending and...

First week

Bruising and swelling are usually at their most obvious, often spreading to the eyes. Pain is usually manageable...

Weeks 2–3

Most bruising and the worst swelling settle and many people return to desk work and gentle social activity...

Weeks 4–6

You can usually return to more strenuous activity once your surgeon agrees. Scars are still pink and feeling may...

Medical line illustration of the face and neck soft tissues for Brow lift. — Illustration only - not a diagnosis, medical advice or a promise of result. Your anatomy and treatment plan may differ. Vuemedics does not publish before-and-after photos.

What is a brow lift?

A brow lift is an operation that raises and reshapes the eyebrows and smooths the forehead. It is used when the brow has dropped with age and is making the upper face look tired, heavy or cross, sometimes adding to a hooded look of the upper eyelids.

There are several ways to do it. The brow can be lifted through small cuts hidden in the hair using a camera (endoscopic), through a longer cut across the scalp (coronal), through the upper-eyelid crease, just above the eyebrow (direct), or near the temples. The right approach depends on your forehead height, hairline, how heavy the brow is and what you want to change.

A brow lift changes the position of the brow and the lines of the forehead. It does not remove loose eyelid skin on its own (that is eyelid surgery), and it does not change skin quality, fine lines from sun damage, or pigmentation. It will not stop your face ageing afterwards.

This is cosmetic surgery in most cases. It carries real risks, including changes to forehead feeling and movement, so it is worth being clear about what is bothering you and whether surgery is the best answer.

Types & techniques

There isn't one single operation. The right approach depends on you — which is something to discuss with your surgeon.

Endoscopic brow lift

The most common modern technique. The surgeon works through a few short cuts hidden in the hair using a small camera, repositioning the brow with less scarring and usually a quicker recovery than open methods.

Coronal (open) brow lift

A longer cut runs across the top of the scalp from ear to ear and a strip of scalp may be removed. It gives strong access but a longer scar, more numbness behind the scar and a longer recovery, and can raise the hairline.

Pre-hairline (trichophytic) brow lift

The cut is placed at or just inside the hairline so it does not push the hairline back. Useful for people with a high forehead.

Direct brow lift

Skin is removed from just above the eyebrow. It gives precise control of brow height, often used in older patients or for a drooping brow after nerve weakness, but leaves a scar above the brow.

Transblepharoplasty brow lift

The brow is lifted a little through the upper-eyelid crease, often at the same time as eyelid surgery. It is less powerful than other methods and may be combined with muscle-relaxing injections.

Endoscopic versus open (coronal) brow lift

Feature	Endoscopic	Open / coronal
Cuts	Several short cuts in the hair	One long cut across the scalp
Scar	Small, hidden	Longer; more numbness behind it
Recovery	Usually quicker	Usually longer
Hairline	Less likely to change	Can raise the hairline
Best for	Most foreheads	Heavier brows or revision cases

Technique choice depends on your forehead height, hairline and what needs changing — your surgeon should explain why one suits you.

Preparing for your surgery

See the surgeon who will actually operate; they should examine your brow, forehead, hairline and eyelids and discuss whether a brow lift, eyelid surgery or both would help most.
Ask which technique they recommend for you and why, and what it means for your scars and hairline.
Tell them about all medicines and supplements; some, such as blood thinners, may need managing as they can increase bleeding.
Stop smoking and vaping well beforehand, as nicotine slows healing and raises wound and skin problems.
Plan around two weeks off work and social life, as bruising and swelling are obvious at first.
Arrange a lift home and someone to help for the first day or two, especially after a general anaesthetic.
Use the cooling-off time to be sure; you should never feel rushed into booking.

What happens

A brow lift is usually done under general anaesthetic, though some techniques can be done under local anaesthetic with sedation. It commonly takes about one to two hours.

The surgeon makes the cuts chosen for your technique — short cuts hidden in the hair for an endoscopic lift, a longer scalp cut for a coronal lift, or a cut above or near the brow for a direct or temporal lift. They reposition the deeper tissues to raise the brow, sometimes adjust the muscles that cause frown lines, remove any excess scalp if needed, and secure the brow in its new position. The cuts are then closed, often with stitches, clips or small fixation devices.

Most people go home the same day with a dressing or light head wrap. You will be told how to care for the wounds and when stitches or clips come out.

Is this operation right for me?

A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.

May not be suitable if…

Your main concern is loose eyelid skin or skin texture, which a brow lift will not fix on its own.
You have unrealistic expectations or signs of body image distress that surgery is unlikely to help.
You smoke or vape and cannot stop around surgery, raising wound and healing problems.
You have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners that cannot be safely managed.
A very high forehead or hairline means a particular technique could make things look worse — assessment matters.

Delay surgery if…

You have an active skin infection, acne or wound on the forehead or scalp.
You are within the cooling-off period and still unsure about proceeding.
You have an important medical problem that is not yet optimised for a general anaesthetic.
You are unwell, run-down or unable to take the needed time off to heal.
You have not yet had a proper assessment of whether the brow, eyelids or both are the issue.

Alternatives to discuss

Muscle-relaxing injections for frown and forehead lines, which are non-surgical and temporary.
Upper-eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) if loose eyelid skin is the main problem.
Skin treatments such as resurfacing for texture and fine lines, which a lift will not change.
Doing nothing, especially if changes are mild or the risks outweigh the benefit for you.
A combined plan if both brow and eyelids contribute, discussed honestly with your surgeon.

Before you decide

Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.

What matters most to me?

Think about symptoms, daily life, work, caring responsibilities, sport, fertility, travel, appearance and anxiety — the right choice depends on your priorities, not just the medical facts.

What are all my options?

Ask about waiting, monitoring, medicines, rehabilitation, a smaller or larger procedure, a different test, NHS referral, or a second opinion where that would help.

What would make me pause?

Active infection, pregnancy, unstable medical problems, smoking, medicines that increase bleeding, poor support at home, or feeling pressured are all reasons to slow down and get tailored advice.

What happens if I do nothing today?

For some problems, waiting is safe; for others, delay can make treatment harder. A good consultation should explain the trade-off in plain English.

Anaesthetic choices

The safest option depends on the operation, your health, the facility and your surgeon/anaesthetist. Ask what is planned and why.

General anaesthetic

Commonly used, especially for endoscopic and open techniques or when combined with other facial surgery. You are fully asleep.

Local anaesthetic with sedation

May be used for smaller or direct techniques in selected patients; the area is numbed and you are relaxed but not fully asleep.

Benefits

Raises a heavy or low brow that is making the face look tired or cross
Smooths some forehead and frown lines
Can reduce a hooded look at the outer brow
May complement eyelid surgery when both the brow and lids are involved
Results from a well-chosen technique can last for years, though the face keeps ageing

Risks & complications

More common

Bruising and swelling of the forehead and around the eyes for a couple of weeks
Numbness or altered feeling of the forehead and scalp, often lasting weeks to months
Itching, tightness or aching across the forehead and scalp as it heals
Visible scars that are usually hidden but can be more obvious with open or direct techniques

Less common

Asymmetry, with one brow sitting higher than the other
Over- or under-correction (a surprised look, or not enough lift)
Temporary weakness of brow movement
Hair thinning or loss around the cuts, and a raised hairline with some techniques
Infection or a wound-healing problem

Rare but serious

Longer-lasting or permanent numbness of the forehead and scalp
Injury to the nerve that lifts the brow, causing lasting brow droop on one side
Bleeding under the skin (haematoma) needing drainage
Recurrence of brow droop over time, sometimes needing further surgery

The most important specific risks are changes to forehead and scalp feeling, which are common for a time and occasionally lasting, and the rare but serious risk of injury to the nerve that raises the brow, which can cause lasting droop on one side. Numbness behind the scar is more of an issue with open techniques. Ask your surgeon how often they see lasting numbness, asymmetry and the need for further surgery in their own practice, and how they would manage these.

Published figures to discuss

Reliable, comparable complication rates for brow lift are limited because techniques differ widely (endoscopic, open, direct), studies are mostly small case series, and results depend heavily on patient anatomy and surgeon experience. Most complications are temporary, but the figures below should be treated as broad indicators, not promises. Numbness behind the scar is more common with open techniques.

Figure	Reported range	How to interpret it	Source / confidence
Forehead or scalp numbness	Common early on and usually temporary; long-lasting numbness is uncommon	More extensive and more often lasting behind the scar with open (coronal) techniques than with endoscopic ones.	Guide sourcesClinical context
Injury to the nerve that raises the brow	Rare; usually temporary when it occurs, but can rarely be permanent	Lasting injury causes brow droop on one side. Robust pooled rates are not well established — ask your surgeon about their own experience.	Direct brow lift — StatPearls (NCBI)ncbi.nlm.nih.govSource-linked context
Need for further or revision surgery	Uncommon, for asymmetry, under-correction or later brow descent	Over-correction (a surprised look) can be harder to correct than a modest result.	Direct brow lift — StatPearls (NCBI)ncbi.nlm.nih.govSource-linked context

These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.

Recovery — what to expect, and when

Recovery from a brow lift is mostly about settling bruising and swelling and getting used to altered forehead feeling. Most people are back to normal activities within about two weeks, but numbness and the final shape take longer.

First 24–48 hours

Expect swelling and tightness; keep your head raised and rest. You may have a head wrap. Avoid bending and straining, which can worsen swelling or bruising.

First week

Bruising and swelling are usually at their most obvious, often spreading to the eyes. Pain is usually manageable with simple painkillers. Stitches or clips are often removed around 7–10 days.

Weeks 2–3

Most bruising and the worst swelling settle and many people return to desk work and gentle social activity. Forehead numbness, itching or tingling commonly continues.

Weeks 4–6

You can usually return to more strenuous activity once your surgeon agrees. Scars are still pink and feeling may still be altered.

3–6 months

Swelling fully settles, scars fade and most numbness recovers, so the final brow position and forehead feeling become clear.

What's normal — and not a worry

Forehead and scalp numbness, tingling or itching that gradually improves
Tightness across the forehead that eases as swelling goes down
Bruising that can spread down to the eyelids before fading
Mild aching of the forehead and scalp in the early weeks
Brows that look a little high or surprised at first while swelling settles

Aftercare

Keep your head raised, including when sleeping, in the early days to reduce swelling.
Avoid bending, heavy lifting and straining until your surgeon says it is safe.
Care for the wounds and any dressing exactly as instructed, and keep follow-up appointments.
Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas and swimming in the early weeks.
Be gentle washing and brushing hair around the cuts while they heal.
Protect healing scars and skin from strong sun.
Take painkillers as advised and report any worsening pain, spreading redness or fever.
Keep the clinic's contact details to hand in case of problems.

Before-surgery checklist

About two weeks off work and social events booked
Someone to drive you home and help for a day or two
Simple painkillers and any prescribed medicines ready
Extra pillows to keep your head raised
Loose, button-up tops so you do not pull clothing over your head
Clinic's out-of-hours number saved
Follow-up appointment for stitch or clip removal noted

Scars and how they heal

Scars depend on the technique. Endoscopic and pre-hairline scars are short and usually well hidden in or near the hair. A coronal scar runs across the scalp and is hidden by hair but leaves a band of numbness behind it. A direct brow lift leaves a scar just above the eyebrow that can be more visible. Scars are pink and firm at first and usually fade over months; sun protection helps. Ask to see your surgeon's own results and where your scars would sit.

⚠ Get urgent help if…

Spreading redness, heat, swelling or discharge from a wound (signs of infection)
Rapidly increasing swelling on one side, especially with severe pain (possible bleeding under the skin)
A fever or feeling generally unwell after surgery
A brow or eyelid that will not move, or a sudden new droop on one side
Severe or worsening pain not helped by your painkillers
Any change in vision
A wound that opens or will not stop bleeding

Who to contact: your surgeon or clinic first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.

General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your surgeon gives you.

Results & realistic expectations

A good result is a brow that sits in a more open, rested position with smoother forehead and frown lines, looking natural rather than surprised. The brow and forehead are usually swollen and a little high at first; the settled result appears over a few months as swelling resolves and feeling recovers.

A brow lift cannot stop your face ageing, will not by itself remove loose eyelid skin, and does not change skin texture or pigmentation. A careful surgeon is honest about what it can and cannot do, and about whether eyelid surgery or non-surgical options might suit you better.

How long it lasts

Results from a well-chosen brow lift can last many years, but the brow continues to descend slowly with age and the forehead keeps ageing. Some people choose further treatment later. How long it lasts depends on your tissues, the technique used and how your face ages.

Combining with other procedures

A brow lift is often combined with upper-eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) when both the brow and the eyelids are heavy, and sometimes with a facelift when the whole face is being addressed. Muscle-relaxing injections are sometimes used alongside or instead, for frown lines. Lifting the brow will not remove loose eyelid skin, so your surgeon should assess exactly what is causing your concern and you should never feel pushed into more than you came for.

Follow-up & long-term care

You will usually be seen within the first week or two to check the wounds and remove stitches or clips, with further review as the swelling and scars settle. Report any spreading redness, fever, a new brow droop or vision change straight away.

Revision and secondary surgery reality

Some asymmetry is common because the two sides heal and settle differently.
Further surgery may be needed for under-correction, an over-lifted look or brow descent over time.
Over-correction is generally harder to fix than leaving a little to be improved later.
The final position and feeling take months to settle, so revision should not be rushed.

Ask your surgeon for their own revision rate, what counts as a revision, and what is included in the written aftercare policy.

What good aftercare looks like

A named contact and out-of-hours route for problems such as bleeding, infection or a new droop.
Clear written aftercare on head elevation, activity limits, wound care and when stitches or clips come out.
Planned reviews to check wounds early and then assess the settled result over months.
An honest plan for what happens, and who pays, if revision is needed.
Advice on protecting scars from the sun and on realistic timelines for numbness recovery.

What affects the cost

Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:

The surgeon's experience and fee
Which technique is used and how long the operation takes
Anaesthetic type (general, or local with sedation) and the anaesthetist's fee
Theatre and facility fees, and whether it is combined with eyelid or other surgery
Follow-up appointments and stitch or clip removal
The clinic's policy on managing complications or revision surgery

Make sure your written quote includes

The named operating surgeon and their fee
Anaesthetist and theatre or facility fees
Which technique is included, and whether eyelid or other surgery is separate
All follow-up appointments and removal of stitches or clips
What happens, and what it costs, if you need revision surgery
The cancellation and cooling-off policy
Who to contact, and what is covered, if a complication occurs

On the NHS? A brow lift is not usually available on the NHS for cosmetic reasons; it may rarely form part of treatment for a medical problem such as brow droop after facial-nerve weakness.

You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including aftercare and any revision — before you decide.

Choosing a surgeon safely

Check your surgeon is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
Make sure they practise at a CQC-registered location, and look for membership of bodies like BAAPS or BAPRAS.
You're entitled to a two-stage consent process with time to reflect (a cooling-off period). The surgeon who will operate must consent you — not a salesperson.
Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers, discounts or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including aftercare and any revision — before you decide.

How Vuemedics verifies every consultant →

Questions to ask your medical professional

Take this to your consultation. A good surgeon will welcome every one of these.

Is my main problem the brow, the eyelids, or both — and which surgery would help most?
Which technique do you recommend for me, and how will it affect my scars and hairline?
How likely am I to have lasting forehead numbness or brow asymmetry?
What would you do if one brow ended up higher than the other, or the lift dropped over time?
Could non-surgical options, or eyelid surgery alone, give me what I want with less risk?
Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
Will you be the surgeon who carries out my operation, and who looks after me afterwards?
What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
What does a realistic result look like — and what can this operation not achieve?
What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a brow lift on the NHS?

Not usually for cosmetic reasons. Very occasionally brow surgery is part of treating a medical problem such as brow droop after nerve weakness. A cosmetic brow lift is a private procedure.

Will a brow lift get rid of my hooded eyelids?

Not on its own. If the brow is heavy, lifting it can reduce hooding, but loose eyelid skin needs eyelid surgery. Your surgeon should examine both and explain which would help you most.

Will my forehead feel numb afterwards?

Some numbness or altered feeling of the forehead and scalp is common for weeks to months and usually recovers. Occasionally it lasts longer, and it is more of an issue behind the scar with open techniques.

How long is the recovery?

Most people take about two weeks off, by which time the worst bruising and swelling have settled. Numbness, scar redness and the final shape take a few months to settle fully.

Will it look obvious or surprised?

It can look high at first while swelling settles. A well-judged lift looks natural and rested. Over-correction is a recognised risk, so discuss the look you want and ask to see your surgeon's results.

Could it damage a nerve?

Injury to the nerve that raises the brow is rare but can cause lasting droop on one side. Temporary brow weakness is more common and usually recovers. Ask your surgeon how often this happens in their practice.

Find a verified surgeon for brow lift

Every consultant is GMC-checked and independently reviewed. Search by postcode and distance, or switch to a map. Ordered by rating, relevance and recency — never by who pays.

No verified consultants list this procedure yet — browse the full directory.

See all surgeons for brow lift →

How we made this page

Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →

Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.

Sources & standards: NHS — Cosmetic surgery (what to consider) Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust — Forehead and brow lift GMC — Cosmetic interventions guidance BAAPS — Patient safety and advice Direct brow lift — StatPearls (NCBI)

Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.

Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.