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Eyebrows are an underrated feature on the face. What you do to them – bleach, tint, pluck, wax, thread, or otherwise – can completely change your appearance. You can create a more lifted look to your brow shape using makeup, but if you’re looking for a longer-term solution, you might also be considering a brow lift.
As far as surgical solutions go, eyebrow lifts are one of the more common procedures, but you also have eyebrow transplants (what Chrissy Teigen got in 2021). In recent years, many celebrities have been more forthcoming about the plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures they’ve had done. This has prompted widespread interest in permanent solutions, resulting in an uptick in procedures. With that, many people are learning about the options available to them if they’re interested in altering the shape and position of their brows.
If you’re curious about eyebrow lifts, including the different types you can get, the cost, and the risks, keep reading. Ahead, a plastic surgeon shares everything you should know.
Experts Featured in This Article
Kami Parsa, MD, is an oculoplastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills.
Brow Lift Surgery Benefits
A brow lift can do a few things, but overall, the goal is to rejuvenate the eyebrows by restoring their natural placement and arch. “As we age, we may notice a ‘falling’ brow that leaves us with hooded eyelids or a tired appearance,” oculoplastic surgeon Kami Parsa tells PS. “We can create a youthful appearance to the upper eyelids by lifting the brows, especially laterally to create a natural arch.”
This can look a little different in men and women. “Normally, in women, the brow’s ‘tail’ sits higher than the inner portion by the nose,” Dr. Parsa says. In men, brows are usually flatter and more straight.
Types of Brow Lift Surgery
As is common with many different plastic-surgery procedures, there are a few different varieties of eyebrow lifts. The six different types of brow lifts are Botox (aka nonsurgical brow lift), endoscopic brow lift, browpexy, direct browplasty, pretrichial brow lift, and coronal brow lift.
Botox Brow Lift
As far as nonsurgical brow lifts go, Botox is a great option. In this type of procedure, a small amount of the neuromodulator is injected into the muscles around the eyebrow. This can help lift the tail of the brow and accentuate the arch. A drawback to this quick and easy cosmetic tweak is that the results are only temporary. As with Botox injected anywhere in the face, it only lasts for approximately three to six months.
Endoscopic Brow Lift
Dr. Parsa says the endoscopic brow lift is the most common type he performs. It’s a newer procedure that involves making three to five small incisions in the hairline, allowing for the entire forehead and brows to be pulled back and lifted. He explains it is less invasive than other surgical options and has a faster recovery time.
Browpexy
Browpexy is typically coupled with an upper-eyelid blepharoplasty, which removes excess skin from the eyelids. It involves adding a few extra sutures during that procedure to lift the brow, but it doesn’t alter or lift the forehead. The results last for approximately five years – occasionally longer.
Direct Browplasty
Direct browplasty is a procedure traditionally reserved for men, as it doesn’t require there to be a strong hairline. An incision is hidden over the brow, allowing it to be lifted. It’s typically a solution for severe brow ptosis, a condition when the eyebrows fall from their natural position.
Pretrichial Brow Lift
A pretrichial brow lift procedure also provides a slight forehead reduction. Under general anesthesia, an incision is made along the hairline, lifting the entire forehead and brows and removing excess skin.
Coronal Brow Lift
According to Dr. Parsa, a coronal brow lift is one of the most invasive versions and very uncommon. Under general anesthesia, an incision is made from ear to ear and addresses the forehead and the brow area.
Out of those six different types of brow lifts, the Botox and endoscopic lifts are the most common. Here’s what to know about the procedures, the risks associated with each, and what the recovery period is like.
Who’s a Good Candidate For Brow Lift Surgery?
The first step in determining if you’re a good candidate for a brow lift is to talk with your doctor. “Most cosmetic procedures are intended for correcting the underlying anatomy, so although as we age things droop more, there are young patients who anatomically have lower-set brows,” Dr. Parsa says. He recommends younger patients start with a Botox brow lift before moving on to more permanent solutions.
An endoscopic brow lift offers more permanent results but is more invasive than just a Botox lift. Therefore, you’ll need to be cleared for surgery by a doctor. “It’s also possible that as we get older, Botox brow lifts stop working because of a significant amount of droop,” Dr. Parsa says. “In these situations, a surgical procedure such as an endoscopic brow lift would be the choice.”
How Much Does a Brow Lift Cost?
The price of a brow lift varies depending on the type you get. A Botox brow lift costs on average $600 to $1,200. An endoscopic brow lift, on the other hand, costs around $3,700. This largely depends on where you’re located and the medical practitioner you see.
Brow Lift Surgery Risks
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with it. For the best outcome, seek a trained doctor who’s experienced in the operation you’re getting done.
“Botox brow lifts have very little risk, but at times, the injector might not know exactly where to inject, which may result in exaggerated outcomes such as ‘Spock brows,’ droopy brows, or uneven-looking brows.” With an endoscopic lift, rare but possible risks include infection, improper healing, and bleeding at the incision area.
What to Expect During an Endoscopic Brow Lift
A Botox brow lift is fairly straightforward – similar to any Botox appointment. You’ll be injected around the brow area and able to drive yourself home afterward.
During an endoscopic brow lift, you’re put under general anesthesia. “This procedure utilizes three to five small, one-centimeter incisions behind the hairline to elevate the entire forehead and brows,” Dr. Parsa says. In total, the operation only takes a few hours, and you can be picked up and taken home afterward.
Brow Lift Before and After
Brow Lift Surgery Recovery
The recovery process for a Botox brow lift is fairly simple, but it takes a few weeks to start to see results.
Following an endoscopic brow lift, expect some bruising and swelling for a few weeks. “Most patients go back to work after seven to 10 days,” Dr. Parsa says. You can’t wear makeup or exercise for two to three weeks post-op, but walking is encouraged. “[The] sweet spot for any surgical procedure is around three to six months post-op.”
Jessica Harrington is the senior beauty editor at PS, where she writes about hair, makeup, skin care, piercings, tattoos, and more. As a New York City-based writer and editor with a degree in journalism and over eight years of industry experience, she loves to interview industry experts, keep up with the latest trends, and test new products.
