FACESURGICAL
Brow Lift in Murrieta
A brow lift raises drooping eyebrows and reduces horizontal forehead wrinkles, frown lines, and furrows between the brows. The surgery repositions the brow tissue to create a more youthful, rested appearance. Techniques include endoscopic, coronal, and temporal approaches, each suited to different anatomy and aesthetic goals. Brow lifts are often performed alongside blepharoplasty or a facelift.
At a Glance
- ASPS member surgeons performed approximately 13,621 forehead lift procedures in 2024[7]
- Endoscopic brow lift produces median elevations of approximately 2.5 to 2.9 mm at key measurement points[6]
- Initial wound healing typically takes 10 to 14 days, with most patients returning to normal activities within that timeframe
Overview
Gravity, sun exposure, and natural aging can cause the brow to descend over time, creating a tired or angry appearance. A brow lift raises the brow to a more youthful position and addresses horizontal forehead creases, vertical frown lines between the eyebrows, and brow descent.
The endoscopic approach uses small incisions hidden behind the hairline and a tiny camera to guide the tissue adjustment. The coronal approach uses a longer incision from ear to ear across the top of the scalp. The temporal, or anterior-hairline, approach places incisions along the hairline and can be an advantage when the forehead is high. Hair pattern, forehead height, and the degree of correction needed all affect the choice of technique.
What to expect
- A consultation to discuss your aesthetic goals, review medical history, and determine the most appropriate surgical technique
- Preoperative photographs and facial analysis to plan brow positioning
- Administration of intravenous sedation or general anesthesia
- Incisions are made according to the chosen technique (endoscopic, coronal, or temporal)
- For endoscopic approaches, a small camera is inserted to visualize the tissue planes
- Forehead tissues are elevated from the underlying periosteum
- Muscles contributing to frown lines may be weakened or partially released
- The brow is repositioned and secured at the desired height
- Excess skin is trimmed if necessary (coronal or hairline techniques)
- Incisions are closed with sutures, skin adhesives, or surgical clips
- A light dressing or bandage is applied to the forehead
How a brow lift works
- Incisions are placed within or near the hairline according to the technique selected. The forehead tissues are carefully elevated from the underlying bone, allowing muscles to be repositioned and excess tissue contributing to wrinkles and brow sagging to be removed.
- The corrugator supercilii and procerus muscles contribute to frown lines. They may be weakened or partially released to reduce wrinkles formed by movement. The brow is then repositioned and secured with sutures, small fixation devices, or absorbable anchors. The skin is redraped and the incisions are closed.
- A brow lift moves the frame around the eyes by a small amount. Endoscopic technique produces median elevations of roughly two and a half to three millimetres at the measured points. At that scale, over-elevation is the failure to avoid. A brow raised beyond its natural height can read as permanently surprised and, unlike an under-correction, is not simply revisable. Dr. Banthia plans the target height against the patient’s resting brow position.
- Brow lift, upper blepharoplasty, and facelift are all included on Dr. Banthia’s surgical menu and are commonly staged together. The sequence is decided in one examination rather than across referrals, and a patient who needs two procedures does not have to begin a second consultation elsewhere to determine that. Order matters because lifting the brow first changes how much upper-eyelid skin remains to address.
When it's recommended
- Sagging or drooping eyebrows that create a tired or angry appearance
- Horizontal wrinkle lines across the forehead
- Vertical frown lines (glabellar lines) between the eyebrows
- Furrows or wrinkles on the bridge of the nose
- Upper eyelid hooding caused by low brow position (secondary dermatochalasis)
- Brow asymmetry
Is a brow lift right for you?
Reach out to learn more from Dr. Vishal Banthia.
Recovery & aftercare
- Initial wound healing typically takes 10 to 14 days, during which sutures or clips are removed
- Swelling and bruising around the forehead and eyes are common in the first 1 to 2 weeks
- Most patients return to work and normal activity within 10 to 14 days
- Vigorous physical activity and heavy lifting are typically avoided for several weeks
- Complete healing and final results may take several months as residual swelling resolves
- Incision lines continue to fade and refine over the following months
Alternatives
- Botox or other neuromodulators for temporary brow elevation and wrinkle reduction
- Dermal fillers to restore volume and improve brow contour
- Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) if the primary concern is upper eyelid heaviness
- Laser skin resurfacing for surface-level wrinkles
- Thread lift for modest, temporary brow elevation
Frequently Asked Questions
- A brow lift is surgery that raises drooping eyebrows, smooths forehead wrinkles, and can reduce frown lines between the eyebrows. It repositions the brow to a more youthful height. Endoscopic, coronal, and temporal approaches are available.
- A brow lift is performed under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, so you typically do not feel pain during the procedure. Mild to moderate discomfort, tightness, and numbness in the forehead are common during the initial recovery period and can generally be managed with prescribed medication.
- A brow lift is generally considered safe when performed by a board-certified surgeon experienced in facial procedures. As with any surgery, it has potential risks, which are listed in the Risks section on this page.
- Results can last for many years, although natural aging continues. Sun exposure, genetics, and skin quality affect long-term durability. Some patients may consider a revision procedure after several years.
- Initial wound healing takes approximately 10 to 14 days, and most patients return to work within that timeframe. Swelling and bruising gradually subside during the first few weeks. Complete healing and final results may take several months.
- People with uncontrolled medical conditions, an active infection near the surgical site, or a bleeding disorder may not be suitable candidates. A thorough consultation with a qualified surgeon determines whether a brow lift is appropriate based on individual health and goals.
- It can, and the effect depends partly on the technique. A coronal incision placed behind the hairline lifts the brow and carries the front hairline back with it, which works against a forehead that is already tall. A temporal or anterior-hairline approach places the incision along the hairline itself and is chosen partly for that reason. A brow can be well placed and still look wrong above an unnaturally high hairline. Dr. Banthia measures forehead height and hairline position before choosing the technique.
- The two can look identical to a patient in the mirror and are distinguished by measurement, not preference. The comparison is set out in full on eyelid surgery. Dr. Banthia takes the measurement before proposing either operation.
- Botox and other neuromodulators do produce a small, temporary elevation by relaxing the muscles that pull the brow downward. Dr. Banthia does not offer them because his menu is surgical and does not include cosmetic injectables. They also address a different degree of concern: a millimetre or two for a few months, compared with a surgical repositioning that holds. He will say when the smaller answer is the right one, and that patient is better served by someone who provides it.
- Consultations for brow lift are available at Dr. Banthia's Murrieta office (39755 Date St, Suite 105, Murrieta, CA 92563); Dr. Banthia's Carlsbad office (2390 Faraday Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92008). Contact the office to schedule an appointment at the location most convenient for you.
Brow Lift risks & candidacy
Who should avoid this
- Uncontrolled medical conditions that increase surgical risk
- Active infection at or near the surgical site
- Bleeding disorders or use of anticoagulant medications that cannot be paused
- Unrealistic expectations regarding surgical outcomes
- History of poor wound healing or keloid formation in the scalp area
Possible risks
- Temporary numbness or altered sensation along the forehead and scalp
- Swelling and bruising around the forehead and eyes
- Hematoma (collection of blood under the skin) requiring drainage
- Infection at the incision sites
- Visible scarring, particularly with hairline or direct approaches
- Temporary or rarely permanent hair loss near the incisions
- Brow asymmetry requiring revision
- Injury to branches of the facial nerve, which may cause temporary muscle weakness
- Overcorrection or undercorrection of brow position
Your practitioner
Dr. Vishal Banthia, MD, FACS
Dr. Vishal Banthia is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon practicing in Murrieta and Carlsbad, California. He is certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. His practice is surgical and face-only: facelift, neck lift, eyelid surgery, and rhinoplasty. He lectures internationally, has published peer-reviewed research indexed in the National Library of Medicine, and received the American Academy of Otolaryngology's Humanitarian Travel Award for cleft lip and palate surgery in Honduras.
Sources & references
This article draws on 7 sources, including peer-reviewed research, leading medical institutions.
Government & research
Medical institutions
Medically reviewed by Dr. Vishal Banthia, MD, FACS · Last reviewed: 2026-09-22