Brow Lift (Forehead Lift)
A brow lift (known also as a forehead lift) is a surgical procedure designed to reverse some of the physical signs of aging, primarily addressing drooping eyebrows and forehead wrinkles and lines. This procedure helps to restore a more youthful and rested look and is often combined with additional procedures such as an upper blepharoplasty (upper eyelid surgery).
The forehead and brow are one of the first areas of your face to show signs of aging. The effects of gravity, sun exposure, and repeated muscle movements forehead to develop wrinkles and furrows and eyebrows to descend. These changes over time can create an appearance of tiredness, sadness, and even anger that does not reflect your actual emotions or inner vitality.
As an oculoplastic surgeon with specialized expertise in the upper and mid-face, Dr. Kahana performs brow lifts with meticulous attention to both aesthetic outcomes and functional considerations of the periorbital area. His approach to brow lift surgery allows for natural-looking results that refresh your appearance while maintaining your unique facial character.
A brow lift might be right for you if you experience:
In some cases, severely drooping brows can even impair your peripheral vision by weighing down your upper eyelids.
As a specialist in mid and upper facial plastic surgery, Dr. Kahana offers several distinct advantages for your brow lift procedure:
Dr. Kahana’s focus on mid and upper facial procedures ensures that he has extensive experience specifically with brow and forehead anatomy. This specialization translates to precise, refined techniques tailored to this delicate area.
Many patients benefit from combining procedures for harmonious results. Dr. Kahana expertly coordinates brow lifts with other facial rejuvenation procedures like upper eyelid surgery to ensure balanced, natural-looking outcomes.
Beyond the cosmetic improvement, Dr. Kahana carefully evaluates how brow position affects your overall facial function and expression. This assessment ensures results that not only look better but feel natural when you smile, frown, or make other expressions.
Dr. Kahana takes time to understand your specific concerns and goals. He will create a customized surgical plan that addresses your unique features and desired outcomes.
The ideal brow position varies between men and women. For women, the eyebrow typically arches above the orbital rim (the bone surrounding the eye socket), with the highest point falling at the junction of the middle and outer thirds. For men, a more horizontal brow positioned at or slightly above the orbital rim creates a naturally masculine appearance.
As we age, several changes affect the brow region:
Seeking out a surgeon Board-certified in ophthalmology and/or facial plastic surgery is not just a great place to start. Equally important is experience, as true proficiency in Revision Eyelid Surgery is acquired through repetition. How long has the surgeon been in practice? How many revision surgeries are performed each year? Which type of revision surgeries are performed the most? How many revision surgeries identical to yours have been performed in the past six months?
These are just starter questions. Talk to the surgeon about your concerns and your desired results. What can be expected of this revision procedure? What are the potential risks and complications? In what ways will this surgery vary from the initial procedure? The answers to all of these questions will go a long way in determining whether or not you have confidence in the surgeon.
Also ask to see before-and-after photos of revision surgeries the surgeon has performed. But keep in mind that while these are important, they’re also biased. Ask the surgeon if you can speak with patients that have received Revision Eyelid Surgery. Feedback of this nature is a much better endorsement.
Certainly, the most important first step is an initial consultation with Dr. Kahana. In this consultation he will:
Dr. Kahana’s approach always emphasizes natural-looking results. It’s important that your desired result represents a more youthful and rested you and in no way changes the look of “you” and what makes you unique.
He and his staff will take the time to ensure they communicate expectations that are realistic and clear. Your understanding of both the benefits and limitations of brow lift surgery are important.
Dr. Kahana offers several advanced brow lift techniques, carefully selecting the most appropriate approach based on your unique features, hairline position, degree of brow drooping, and desired outcomes.
The endoscopic approach is a minimally invasive procedure. Dr. Kahana frequently utilizes this approach for optimal results. This method involves making several small incisions (each only about 1-2 cm long) behind your hairline. Using an endoscope—a thin instrument with a camera—Dr. Kahana can visualize and access the tissues beneath your forehead skin with minimal disruption.
Through these small incisions, Dr. Kahana precisely releases tissue layers, elevates your brow to the ideal position, and secures the brow using specialized fixation methods. The endoscopic approach offers several advantages:
Note: This technique typically raises your hairline slightly, which may be a consideration if you already have a high forehead.
For patients who have a high forehead or who would benefit from lowering their hairline, Dr. Kahana may recommend an open brow lift. Unlike the endoscopic approach, this method can lower your hairline while simultaneously lifting your brows.
In this procedure, an incision is made either directly at the hairline (pretrichial) or behind it (coronal). The exact placement will depend on your hairline position and goals. This approach allows Dr. Kahana to remove excess skin from the forehead before lifting and repositioning the brow tissues.
The bitemporal lift specifically targets the outer portions of the brows, which often experience the most significant drooping with age. This technique uses incisions hidden within the hair line of the temple to address “lateral hooding”—the heaviness that develops when the outer brow descends over the upper eyelid.
This approach is best if your main concern is drooping at the outer corners of your brows rather than the central forehead area. It creates a more open-eyed, refreshed appearance while maintaining a natural look.
For patients with mild to moderate brow drooping who are also undergoing upper eyelid surgery, Dr. Kahana may recommend an internal brow lift. This convenient approach is performed through the same incision used for your upper eyelid blepharoplasty, eliminating the need for additional incisions.
Dr. Kahana creates a small tunnel above the orbital rim, identifies the descended brow tissues, and secures them in an elevated position with specialized suturing techniques. This approach offers:
For specific cases requiring precise brow positioning, Dr. Kahana may recommend a direct brow lift. This technique involves an incision placed directly above the eyebrow, often hidden within a natural skin crease or at the upper edge of the brow hair.
Although this approach leaves a visible scar, Dr. Kahana’s meticulous closure techniques minimize its appearance. A direct brow lift may be particularly beneficial for:
Dr. Kahana frequently performs brow lifts in combination with upper eyelid blepharoplasty (upper eyelid surgery). This surgery addresses both drooping brows and excess eyelid skin in a single procedure.
Patients who request upper eyelid surgery often opt to also undergo a browlift, not realizing that their “heavy eyelid” appearance maybe caused by descended brow tissues pushing down on the upper lids. By implementing an upper blepharoplasty in conjunction with a brow lift Dr. Kahana can further achieve natural-looking results that is properly balanced.
Benefits of this combined approach include:
During your consultation, Dr. Kahana will evaluate how your brow position interacts with your eyelids and recommend whether a combined approach would be beneficial in your specific case.
Your brow lift surgery with Dr. Kahana will be performed as an outpatient procedure at our in-office procedure room. Most brow lift procedures require only local anesthesia with sedation, though in some cases general anesthesia may be needed.
Here’s what you can expect on the day of your procedure:
Most brow lift procedures take approximately 1-2 hours to complete, though this may vary if you’re having additional procedures performed simultaneously.
Our team will provide you with detailed, personalized post-op and recovery instructions, however here is a general timeline of what to expect during your recovery:
Dr. Kahana and our team will monitor your recovery through follow-up appointments. We encourage you to contact our office with any questions or concerns during your recovery period.
Following your recovery, you can expect to enjoy a noticeably refreshed, more youthful appearance — that still looks naturally like you. Benefits typically include:
Dr. Kahana’s patients frequently comment that friends and colleagues notice they look rested and refreshed without being able to identify exactly what has changed—a great testament to successful, natural-looking results.
Brow lift results are long-lasting, with most patients enjoying their improved appearance for many years. Thought the natural aging process will continue, your forehead and brows will look better than if you had never had the procedure. The longevity of your results can be enhanced by:
Whether performed as a standalone procedure or in combination with other facial rejuvenation treatments like eyelid surgery or facelift, a brow lift can provide dramatic improvement to one of your face’s most expressive features.
To learn more about how a brow lift might benefit you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kahana. During this personalized assessment, he’ll evaluate your concerns, discuss your goals, and develop a customized treatment plan designed to help you look your best.
Your journey toward a fresh, rejuvenated look begins with a private consultation with Dr. Kahana at Kahana Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgery.
To schedule your evaluation, please call 248-800-1177 or click the link below
