Brow Lift Surgery

A brow lift, also called a forehead lift or browplasty, repositions tissues of the forehead and brow. It may be considered when the eyebrows have descended and contribute to heaviness above the upper eyelids. The operation may also change the appearance of forehead creases, depending on the technique used and the individual’s anatomy.

A brow lift does not stop ageing, remove every forehead line or guarantee a particular eyebrow shape. It also does not replace upper eyelid surgery when the main concern is excess eyelid skin. Assessment of the brow, eyelids, hairline and facial proportions helps determine whether brow lift surgery, eyelid surgery, a combination, or no surgery is appropriate.

Brow lift surgery at a glance

What can a brow lift address?

Brow lift surgery may be discussed when a person has concerns such as:

• descent of the eyebrow, including the outer brow;
• heaviness above the upper eyelids that is partly caused by brow position;
• asymmetry in brow position, while recognising that perfect symmetry cannot be guaranteed;
• forehead or frown-line changes that may be affected by repositioning forehead tissues; or
• a combination of brow and upper-eyelid concerns that requires assessment of both areas.

Normal facial variation and ageing do not require treatment. Choosing cosmetic surgery is a personal and serious decision. The potential changes, limitations, alternatives, recovery and risks should all be considered before deciding whether to proceed.

Brow lift or upper eyelid surgery?

A brow lift and upper blepharoplasty address different anatomical areas.

Brow lift surgery repositions the eyebrow and forehead tissues. Upper blepharoplasty removes or repositions tissue at the upper eyelid. Brow descent can contribute to apparent upper-eyelid hooding, while excess eyelid skin can remain even when the brow is supported.

During assessment, the brow should be examined in a relaxed position rather than manually lifted. This helps determine how much of the concern relates to the brow and how much relates to the eyelid. Depending on the findings, a person may be advised to consider a brow lift, eyelid surgery, both procedures, an alternative approach, or no surgery.

Who may be suitable for brow lift surgery?

Suitability is assessed individually. Factors that may support consideration of surgery include:

• brow descent confirmed on examination;
• concerns and goals that are specific and realistic;
• general health that is compatible with surgery and anaesthesia;
• an understanding of the likely scars, recovery and possible complications;
• willingness to follow pre-operative and post-operative instructions; and
• not smoking, or being able to stop as directed before and after surgery.

Surgery may be unsuitable or need to be postponed when medical conditions, medicines, smoking, poor wound-healing history, unrealistic expectations or psychological factors increase risk. The consultation also considers eye symptoms, previous facial procedures, facial nerve function, hair density, hairline position and any tendency to form raised or widened scars.

Types of brow lift surgery

Several surgical approaches are described below for general education. They are not interchangeable, and not every approach is suitable or offered in every case. Dr Mohaghegh must confirm the techniques available at the practice before this section is published.

Endoscopic brow lift

An endoscopic brow lift uses several incisions within the hair-bearing scalp. An endoscope, which is a narrow camera, may be used to view the tissues during surgery. The brow tissues are released and repositioned, then secured while healing occurs.

Although the incisions are shorter than a traditional coronal incision, this remains invasive surgery. Risks can include scarring, altered scalp sensation, hair loss near an incision, asymmetry and nerve injury.

Temporal or lateral brow lift

A temporal brow lift focuses mainly on the outer portion of the eyebrow. Incisions are usually placed in or near the temporal hairline. It may be considered when lateral brow descent is the main concern, but it does not address every part of the forehead or central brow.

Pretrichial or hairline brow lift

A pretrichial brow lift places an incision at or close to the hairline. The approach may be considered when the relationship between brow position and forehead height needs to be managed. The trade-off is a scar at the hairline, and hairline or hair-density changes can occur.

Coronal brow lift

A coronal brow lift uses a longer incision across the scalp, usually within the hair. It provides broad access to forehead tissues but may change the hairline and can cause scalp numbness, itching, scarring or hair loss near the incision. It is not appropriate for every hairline or pattern of hair density.

Direct brow lift

A direct brow lift places an incision immediately above, or close to, the eyebrow. It can provide direct control of brow position but leaves a scar near the brow. Scar visibility and the reason for considering the procedure require careful discussion.

What happens during consultation?

A brow lift consultation is intended to support an informed decision, not to assume surgery will proceed. Assessment may include:

1. your concerns, goals and reasons for considering surgery;
2. medical history, medicines, allergies, smoking and previous operations;
3. brow position at rest and during facial movement;
4. upper-eyelid skin, eyelid position, eye symptoms and facial nerve function;
5. forehead height, hairline pattern, hair density and skin quality;
6. clinical photography for assessment and medical records;
7. available options, including the option of no surgery;
8. expected changes and limitations;
9. incision placement, scars, recovery and aftercare;
10. general and procedure-specific risks; and
11. an itemised explanation of fees if a surgical plan is proposed.

Australian requirements for cosmetic surgery include a referral from a GP or another medical specialist, at least two pre-operative consultations, psychological screening using a validated tool, and a cooling-off period. At least one consultation must be in person with the medical practitioner who will perform the surgery. After the required consultations and informed consent, at least seven days must pass before surgery can be booked or a deposit paid.

How is brow lift surgery performed?

The operative plan depends on the selected technique and whether another procedure is being performed at the same time. In general, the planned incisions are marked, anaesthesia is administered, and the forehead or brow tissues are released and repositioned. The tissues may be secured with sutures or another fixation method before the incisions are closed.

Some patients are treated as day patients, while others may require a short hospital stay. The anaesthesia plan, facility, expected duration and arrangements for going home must be confirmed for the individual procedure. A responsible adult may need to collect the patient and remain with them during the initial recovery period.

Brow lift recovery

Recovery is not identical for every person. The technique used, whether procedures are combined, general health, smoking history and individual healing all influence the timeline.

Contact the surgical team promptly if you develop heavy bleeding, rapidly increasing swelling, worsening redness, fever, increasing pain, wound separation, visual changes, breathing difficulty or another concerning symptom. Emergency symptoms require urgent medical care.

Risks and possible complications

All surgery carries risk. General surgical and anaesthetic risks include bleeding, haematoma, infection, adverse reaction to medicines or anaesthesia, pain, delayed wound healing, abnormal scarring and blood clots.

Risks associated with brow lift surgery may include:

• asymmetry, under-correction or over-correction;
• visible, widened, raised or otherwise unfavourable scars;
• temporary or permanent numbness, altered sensation or itching;
• temporary or permanent weakness caused by nerve injury;
• changes to eyebrow movement or facial expression;
• hairline elevation or another unintended hairline change;
• temporary or permanent hair thinning or loss near an incision;
• contour irregularity, skin loss or wound-healing problems;
• eye irritation or difficulty closing the eyes;
• persistent pain or tightness;
• dissatisfaction with the change; and
• the need for further treatment or revision surgery.

This list is not exhaustive. Individual risks depend on anatomy, medical history and the proposed technique and must be discussed during consultation.

Brow lift scars and hairline considerations

Every surgical brow lift creates scars. Their location depends on the technique: within the scalp, at the hairline, near the temple or directly above the eyebrow. Scars usually change over time, but they do not disappear and their final appearance cannot be predicted precisely.

Hairline position and hair density are part of surgical planning. A technique that suits one person may be inappropriate for someone with a different forehead height, hairstyle, previous incision or pattern of hair thinning.

Expected changes and limitations

A brow lift may reposition descended brow tissues, but the amount and direction of change vary. Existing asymmetry can remain, and perfect symmetry is not a realistic surgical guarantee. Forehead lines caused by repeated muscle movement may persist. The operation also does not treat pigmentation, skin texture or every type of eyelid hooding.

Ageing continues after surgery. Weight change, sun exposure, smoking, medical conditions and tissue characteristics may affect the appearance over time. No fixed duration or result can be promised.

Brow lift cost in Sydney

The cost of brow lift surgery varies with the technique, operating time, anaesthesia, surgical facility, whether another procedure is combined and the aftercare required. If surgery is proposed after assessment, the practice will provide an individual written quote outlining anticipated fees, which may include:

• the surgeon’s fee;
• anaesthetist fees;
• hospital or accredited facility fees;
• implants or fixation devices, if used;
• medicines, tests or garments where applicable; and
• post-operative reviews included in the surgical plan.

Cosmetic brow lift surgery is generally self-funded. A Medicare or private-health-insurance benefit may apply only in limited circumstances when documented functional criteria and the relevant rules are met. Eligibility cannot be guaranteed and should be checked after individual assessment.

About Dr Mohammad Hassan Mohaghegh

Dr Mohammad Hassan Mohaghegh, MD, MPhil, FRACS (Plast), is a registered medical practitioner and Specialist Plastic Surgeon with specialist registration in Surgery – Plastic Surgery. His AHPRA registration number is MED0001627149.

Consultations are available at Shop 1/161 New South Head Road, Edgecliff NSW 2027. A consultation is required to assess whether brow lift surgery or another option may be appropriate for your circumstances.

Brow lift FAQs

Is a brow lift the same as eyelid surgery?

No. A brow lift repositions the brow and forehead tissues. Upper eyelid surgery addresses skin and other tissues at the upper eyelid. The brow and eyelids should be assessed together because either area, or both, can contribute to upper-eye heaviness.

What is an endoscopic brow lift?

It is a brow lift approach performed through several scalp incisions, with an endoscope sometimes used to view the tissues. Shorter incisions do not remove the risks of surgery. Suitability depends on anatomy, hairline, goals and the surgeon’s assessment.

How long does brow lift recovery take?

Bruising and swelling commonly affect the first one to two weeks, but visible swelling, altered sensation, tightness and scar maturation can continue for longer. Time away from work and return to exercise must be planned individually.

Where are brow lift scars located?

Scar location depends on the technique. Incisions may be within the scalp, at the hairline, near the temples or above the eyebrows. All scars are permanent, although their appearance usually changes with healing.

How long does a brow lift last?

There is no guaranteed duration. Surgically repositioned tissues continue to be affected by ageing, tissue characteristics, health and lifestyle factors. The likely limitations should be discussed during consultation.

Can a brow lift be combined with blepharoplasty?

They may be planned together when assessment shows separate concerns involving the brow and eyelid. Combining procedures changes the operative plan, risks, cost and recovery and is not appropriate for everyone.

How much does a brow lift cost in Sydney?

Cost depends on the selected technique, anaesthesia, facility, operating time, combined procedures and aftercare. An itemised quote can be provided only after assessment and development of an individual surgical plan.

Does Medicare cover brow lift surgery?

Purely cosmetic surgery is not covered by Medicare. A benefit may be possible only when the relevant functional criteria and item requirements are met and documented. Assessment does not guarantee eligibility.

Do I need a GP referral for cosmetic brow lift surgery?

Yes. Under current Australian cosmetic-surgery requirements, a referral from a GP or another medical specialist is required before cosmetic surgery. Additional consultation, screening, consent and cooling-off requirements also apply.

Request a consultation

To discuss brow position, upper-eyelid concerns, alternatives, expected recovery and individual risks, contact Dr Mohaghegh’s practice or call 1300 074 466.

Requesting a consultation does not commit you to surgery. Suitability and the appropriate next step can only be determined after individual assessment.

Clinical and regulatory sources

• Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons — Brow Lift
• Medical Board of Australia — Guidelines for cosmetic medical and surgical procedures
• Medical Board of Australia — Guidelines for advertising cosmetic surgery

Medical information notice: This page provides general educational information for adults. It is not medical advice and does not include every possible risk or circumstance. Individual results and recovery vary. No outcome is guaranteed. Seek urgent medical care for an emergency.