FACESURGICAL
Brow Lift in Murrieta
A brow lift is a surgical procedure that raises drooping eyebrows and reduces horizontal forehead wrinkles, frown lines, and furrows between the brows. The procedure repositions the brow tissue to create a more youthful, rested appearance. Techniques include endoscopic, coronal, and temporal approaches, each suited to different patient anatomies and aesthetic goals. Brow lifts are often performed in combination with blepharoplasty or facelift procedures.
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
A brow lift addresses sagging brows, horizontal forehead creases, and vertical frown lines between the eyebrows. Over time, gravity, sun exposure, and natural aging can cause the brow to descend, creating a tired or angry appearance. The procedure elevates the brow to a more youthful position while smoothing forehead wrinkles.
Several surgical techniques are available. The endoscopic approach uses small incisions hidden behind the hairline with a tiny camera to guide 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, which can be beneficial for patients with high foreheads. The choice of technique depends on hair pattern, forehead height, and the degree of correction needed.
What to expect
- Consultation to discuss 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
- The surgeon accesses the underlying forehead structures through incisions placed within or near the hairline, depending on the technique chosen.
- Forehead tissues are carefully elevated from the underlying bone, allowing the surgeon to reposition muscles and remove excess tissue that contributes to wrinkles and brow sagging.
- Muscles responsible for frown lines, such as the corrugator supercilii and procerus, may be weakened or partially released to reduce dynamic wrinkling.
- The brow is repositioned to a more youthful height and secured with sutures, small fixation devices, or absorbable anchors. The skin is then redraped and incisions are closed.
- A brow lift moves the frame the eye sits in, and the amount it moves is small – endoscopic technique produces median elevations of roughly two and a half to three millimetres at the measured points. That scale is the reason over-elevation is the failure to avoid: a brow raised past its natural height reads as permanently surprised, and unlike an under-correction it is not simply revisable. Dr. Banthia plans the target height against the patient's own resting brow position.
- Brow lift, upper blepharoplasty, and facelift are all on the same surgical menu and are commonly staged together, so the sequence is decided in one examination instead of across referrals. A patient who turns out to need two of them is not starting a second consultation elsewhere to find that out, and the order matters: lifting the brow first changes how much lid skin is left 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 a surgical procedure that raises drooping eyebrows and smooths forehead wrinkles. It repositions the brow to a more youthful height and can reduce frown lines between the eyebrows. Several techniques are available, including endoscopic, coronal, and temporal approaches.
- A brow lift is performed under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, so patients typically do not feel pain during the procedure. Mild to moderate discomfort, tightness, and numbness in the forehead area are common during the initial recovery period and can generally be managed with prescribed medications.
- A brow lift is generally considered safe when performed by a board-certified surgeon experienced in facial procedures. As with any surgery, there are potential risks, which are discussed in detail in the risks section above.
- Brow lift results can last for many years, though the natural aging process continues. Factors such as sun exposure, genetics, and skin quality influence 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 over the first few weeks. Complete healing and final results may take several months.
- Individuals with uncontrolled medical conditions, active infections near the surgical site, or bleeding disorders may not be suitable candidates. A thorough consultation with a qualified surgeon can determine whether a brow lift is appropriate based on individual health and goals.
- It can, and which technique is chosen partly turns on that. 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; the temporal or anterior-hairline approach puts the incision along the hairline itself and is chosen partly for that reason. Dr. Banthia measures forehead height and hairline position before choosing, because a well-placed brow above an unnaturally high hairline is a poor result by any other measure.
- The two look identical to a patient in a mirror and are told apart by measurement, not by preference. That comparison is set out in full on eyelid surgery. Dr. Banthia takes the measurement before proposing either operation.
- Neuromodulators do produce a small, temporary elevation by relaxing the muscles that pull the brow down, and Dr. Banthia does not offer them, since his menu is surgical and carries no cosmetic injectables. They also address a different degree of problem: a millimetre or two for a few months against a repositioning that holds. He will say when the smaller answer is the right one, and that patient is better served somewhere that 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: 2026-08-07