Brow Lift

With age, our faces lose some skin elasticity and muscle tautness. As a result, the brow can begin to sag, eventually drooping over the eyes and pushing the eyebrows into a furrowed expression. Also known as a forehead lift, a brow lift repositions the brow and smoothes out deep forehead wrinkles.*

Dr. Brian Kobienia is a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced with a wide range of facial rejuvenation procedures, including brow lift surgery. He will take the time to have a personal discussion with you about your goals for cosmetic surgery before working with you to develop a plan that best addresses your needs.

Harrington + Associates Plastic Surgery has helped women and men from the Twin Cities metro area and across the state of Minnesota with brow lift surgery. Contact us online or call our Plymouth office today at 651-290-7600 for more information about forehead lifts, including pricing.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Brow Lift?

Most men and women who notice sagging in the upper face can be good candidates for a forehead lift. Some of the most common reasons to consider a brow lift include:*

  • Deep horizontal creases across the forehead
  • Frown lines between the eyebrows or across the top of the nose
  • Sagging forehead skin

Forehead Lift Incisions

In most brow lift procedures, incisions around 1-inch long are made in the hairline just above the temples. This location allows incisions to be as discreet as possible while also providing your surgeon with optimal access to the brow skin and tissue on either side of the face. In some cases, additional incisions may be made behind the hairline on top of the forehead. Through these incisions, your surgeon will lift the brow, smoothing out deep creases and removing excess skin.*

Your Brow Lift Procedure

A forehead lift is a same-day procedure that is typically done under general anesthesia. The surgery itself takes from 1 to 2 hours and is performed at an accredited surgery center.*

You should plan to arrive at the surgery center 1 hour before your procedure start time. If you are placed under general anesthesia for your brow lift, you will be required to stay in a recovery room for at least 1 hour after your procedure and a friend or family member will need to drive you home. An adult should plan to stay with you for at least 24 hours after your surgery.

Depending on your facial rejuvenation needs, your surgeon may recommend additional procedures to complement your forehead lift results. Many women and men combine their brow lift with eyelid surgery to treat excess skin around the eyes and minimize under-eye bags. In many cases, a brow lift is also combined with a facelift to treat signs of aging in the mid and lower face.

Forehead Lift Recovery

Most brow lift patients take 1 to 2 weeks away from work and other normal activities while they recover from their procedure.* Swelling and bruising should subside over the first few weeks of your recovery.* Your surgeon may ask you to wear surgical bandages or apply a topical treatment to assist the recovery process.* You should protect your incisions from direct sun exposure for at least 6 months following your surgery to encourage optimal scar healing.*

You should notice a change in your forehead and upper face following your surgery, but your final results may take up to 3 months to fully develop.*

It’s critical that you and your surgeon discuss potential complications and risks associated with getting a brow lift before your procedure. If you notice a sudden increase in swelling or sharp rise in pain, notify our office immediately.

Dr. Brian Kobienia

Brow Lift img 1Dr. Kobienia M.D. is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and performs a wide array of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Dr. Kobienia earned his undergraduate degree at the St Johns University and went on to receive is M.D. from University of Minnesota School of Medicine.

In addition to brow lifts, Dr. Kobienia’s specialties also include facelifts and neck lifts.

Brow Lift FAQs

How do I find a qualified brow lift plastic surgeon near me?

Start by researching board-certified plastic surgeons in your area who specialize in facial cosmetic procedures like brow lifts, facelifts and eyelid lifts. To narrow your search further, view before and after brow lift photos, read online reviews and, finally, schedule a consultation with your top one or two picks.

What is the best age for a brow lift?

The average age range to get a brow lift is between 40 and 65. However, there is no right or wrong time to get a brow lift, and the specifics of your procedure timing will depend upon your unique situation and concerns. If you feel you are not yet ready for or do not yet need a brow lift, you might consider starting with a nonsurgical treatment such as BOTOX® to address milder cases of forehead drooping, lines and wrinkles.

Is a brow lift the same as BOTOX?

No, a brow lift is a surgical procedure that can restore a firmer, smoother appearance to moderate to severe forehead drooping, wrinkling and creasing by lifting and tightening the skin and muscle tissue. BOTOX, on the other hand, is a nonsurgical injectable treatment that temporarily relaxes facial muscle contractions to smooth lines, wrinkles and creases. You will see a more dramatic and longer-lasting result with a surgical procedure like a brow lift vs. nonsurgical BOTOX.

How painful is a brow lift?

Most people who have had a brow lift report only mild pain or discomfort, with feelings of tightness or numbness being a more common complaint. These side effects following a brow lift, however, are typically easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication, cold compresses and getting adequate rest.

When will I see my brow lift results?

Though you may notice a visible improvement in the appearance of your brow and forehead very soon after your brow lift, it can take up to 3 months for more finalized results to develop. To maximize your results and optimize your recovery, follow your plastic surgeon’s brow lift aftercare guidelines as closely as possible.

How long does a brow lift last?

Brow lifts can last, on average, 10 to 15 years before you may need a maintenance procedure. However, the longevity of your brow lift will depend on several factors, including your age, lifestyle habits and the natural elasticity of your skin.

Next Steps

A forehead lift can correct advanced signs of aging in the upper face and brow area. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact us online or call our Plymouth office at 651-290-7600 to request your brow lift consultation and learn more about how to enhance your natural appearance.

*This information is for education only, and is not meant as a guarantee of results. Your results may vary.