Endoscopic approach
The procedure is carried out through small incisions, using a camera to view the area from within.
Dr. Gustavo Suárez · Facial surgery
Surgical brow liftin Barcelona.
A brow lift is surgery that lifts a drooping eyebrow and reshapes its position and contour. It addresses the upper third of the face, which is why it is also called a forehead lift.
Request a consultation What is a brow lift?The problem it addresses
An eyebrow that has
lowered.
A lowered brow changes facial expression and can give an angry or tired appearance. This is the main reason for seeking a consultation, alongside horizontal forehead wrinkles and vertical frown lines. The procedure addresses the position and shape of the brow.
A brow lift does not change the shape of the eye or treat eyelid bags. Blepharoplasty addresses the eyelids and does not correct a drooping eyebrow. The assessment distinguishes between the two problems.
A common source of confusion
A drooping eyebrow or
an eyelid with excess skin.
These are two different problems, with two different operations. A brow lift raises a drooping eyebrow but does not treat the eyelid; upper blepharoplasty removes excess eyelid skin but does not correct a drooping eyebrow.
| Brow lift | Upper blepharoplasty | |
|---|---|---|
| What it addresses | A drooping eyebrow and the tired or angry expression it creates. | A drooping or sagging eyelid, which gives a tired appearance. |
| Where it is performed | The upper third of the face: the forehead and brow. | The upper eyelid, with the incision in its natural crease. |
| What it does not do | It does not change the shape of the eye or treat eyelid bags. | It does not remove facial wrinkles or correct drooping eyebrows. |
| Functional aspect | It is considered for eyebrow position and wrinkles on the forehead and between the eyebrows. | When excess skin obstructs vision, it may improve the visual field. |
What is assessed
What is assessed
before recommending it.
The assessment includes a detailed facial and eyelid examination, a study of facial expressions and photographs. Medical history, regular medication and supplements are reviewed. The medical team advises whether any need adjusting before surgery; they should not be stopped without medical advice.
Two different situations bring patients to the clinic with the same description: their eyelids feel heavy. One is excess upper eyelid skin; the other is a brow that has lowered and pulls the eyelid down with it. The examination distinguishes them because the solution is different. Both procedures are also often considered together, or alongside a facelift.
Learn about upper blepharoplastyHow it is performed
The approaches
described.
The approaches differ in the position of the incision and the part of the eyebrow and forehead they allow to be treated. The choice depends on the medical assessment.
Along the hairline
The incision is made at the hairline. This approach also allows the height of a high forehead to be reduced, which relates to forehead reduction.
Coronal approach
The incision runs across the scalp from ear to ear.
Limited or temporal incision
Targets the outer part of the brow, with a shorter incision.
Direct approach
The incision is made directly above the eyebrow, in the skin itself.
After surgery
Care and
follow-up.
Recovery
During the first few days, patients are advised to use cold compresses and keep their head elevated. The stitches are removed at the clinic. Swelling and bruising gradually subside and activities are resumed in stages, with strenuous exercise restricted for a period. Once swelling has subsided, the scar continues to evolve in its own way.
Risks and limitations
Swelling and bruising gradually subside, and the scar continues to change during recovery. Numbness of the forehead and scalp may also occur. Possible complications include hair loss near the incision, bleeding beneath the skin, prolonged swelling, infection, asymmetry between the brows, restricted brow movement and, exceptionally, injury to the nerve that raises the brow.
These complications are very rare. During the consultation, after the medical assessment, the risks are explained individually according to each patient's characteristics.
Before deciding
Frequently asked
questions.
Common questions before choosing between surgery and other options.
What is a brow lift?
It is surgery that lifts a drooping eyebrow and reshapes its position and contour. It addresses the upper third of the face, which is why it is also called a forehead lift. It does not change the shape of the eye or treat eyelid bags.
How long does a brow lift last?
The length of the procedure and how long the result lasts vary depending on the case. Both are explained during the consultation, based on each person's assessment.
What is the difference between a brow lift and brow lamination?
They are different treatments that share a name. Brow lamination is a salon beauty treatment that works on the eyebrow hairs. The brow lift described on this page is a surgical procedure that addresses the position of the brow itself.
What are the risks of a brow lift?
Swelling and bruising gradually subside, and the scar continues to develop during recovery. Numbness of the forehead and scalp may also occur. Possible complications include hair loss near the incision, bleeding beneath the skin, prolonged swelling, infection, asymmetry between the eyebrows, restricted eyebrow movement and, exceptionally, injury to the nerve that lifts the eyebrow. These complications are very rare. During the consultation, after the medical assessment, the risks are explained individually according to each patient's characteristics.
How can eyebrows be lifted without surgery?
There are non-surgical treatments within aesthetic medicine that have their own aims and limitations. Whether they are appropriate in an individual case, or whether surgery is appropriate, is a medical judgement rather than a choice between two equivalent products.
Related procedures
Other procedures
in the same area.
Upper blepharoplasty
Upper eyelid surgery that removes excess skin and, where appropriate, fat.
Forehead reduction
Forehead reduction surgery: shortens the distance between the hairline and the eyebrows.