Brow lift surgery is a specialist procedure in facial plastic surgery that targets the appearance of ageing in the skin of the forehead for men. These procedures are performed by our facial surgery expert, specialist plastic surgeon, Dr Robert Knight, who consults out of our Sydney city office.
Minor problems may be treatable without surgery, using Pure Aesthetics non-surgical treatments; however, more advanced problems may require facial cosmetic surgery to address your brow and upper face.
This is achieved by a forehead or “brow-lift,” which is a surgical procedure that targets the appearance of the forehead by repositioning the forehead and eyebrows.
As men age, gravity and the reduction of collagen production in the skin allow the forehead to move downwards, creating heaviness and a drooped look around the brow area.
Commonly, male patients are initially concerned because there is “crowding” of the upper eyelids, with an apparent excess of skin. Brow lift surgery can be used to elevate the brow to a higher position, reduce forehead lines, and lessen the frown lines situated between the eyes and nose.
Brow lifts are often done in conjunction with other facial rejuvenation procedures to achieve a more harmonious facial appearance, particularly blepharoplasty and facelift surgery.
Meet your Surgeon
Dr Robert Knight
Meet your Surgeon
Dr Robert Knight FRACS
Registered Specialist Plastic Surgeon
AHPRA MED0001198549
Education and Training:
- Attended medical school in South Africa, and trained at the internationally renowned Baragwanath Hospital
- Awarded a Cyanamid Pharmaceutical Scholarship, the Medical Students Council Award and the Graham Wilkinson Medal
- Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
- Awarded the LGI cardiothoracic prize and presented at several conferences in London, Stockholm and Cologne
FAQ
What does brow lift do for men?
The upper third of the face can appear prematurely aged when there is a loosening of the skin of the forehead, causing forehead frown lines. As the skin loosens, the eyebrows drop, especially towards the outer sides.
In brow lift plastic surgery for men, the signs of ageing caused by deep frown lines are reduced by repositioning the forehead. Modern cosmetic surgery techniques give a naturally rejuvenated appearance to this prominent part of the face, with minimal scarring.
A surgical brow lift is often performed in conjunction with an eyelid reduction or as part of a full facelift, to provide harmony and balance to the top half of the face.
How is a brow lift done?
Forehead cosmetic surgery or a brow lift takes place under general anaesthesia.
The most commonly used technique is “endoscopic”, where several small incisions are made above the hairline, to minimise scarring where it won’t easily be seen. This small incision technique is more popular because it results in less scarring and hair loss than the less commonly used “open” method, which has a longer incision along or within the forehead hairline.
The particular surgical technique that your Pure Aesthetics surgeon recommends will depend on many factors, such as the position of your eyebrows, the amount and quality of your forehead and upper eyelid skin, and the height of your hairline. Options include:
- “Endoscopic” browlift: several short incisions are made above the hairline. A connected endoscope (camera) allows your surgeon to see beneath your skin during the procedure.
- “Open” browlift: a full-length incision is made along or within your hairline. Excess skin and redundant muscle are removed, then the skin of the forehead is redraped upwards. Excess skin is then trimmed along the incision.
The surgeon reduces your ‘frown lines’ by repositioning the muscles and skin between the eyebrows and the hairline. Excess skin is removed, leaving a smooth brow and more youthful appearance.
During pre-surgery consultations, your surgeon will advise you on the most appropriate brow lift procedure for your personal circumstances. You will be shown brow lift before and after photographs of past patients to demonstrate your likely results.
How can a brow lift help me?
Benefits of an eyebrow lift for men include:
- Improved facial balance and eyelid position by raising drooping eyebrows and reducing frown lines.
- A “fresher” upper facial appearance
- Eyebrows positioned to suit your face
- Correcting droopy and/or assymetrical eyebrows
- Can be combined with eyelid surgery and face and neck lift for comprehensive facial rejuvenation
The Consultation Process: What to Expect
During the consultation, your Pure Aesthetics specialist plastic surgeon, Dr Robert Knight, will ask you a variety of questions covering everything from your current health situation to details about the physical outcomes you desire. Be prepared to talk about current medications, allergies, and any past or current medical treatments.
You will receive a detailed and thorough assessment and evaluation of the brow, the degree of elevation desired, and the activity of the brow muscles. Based on your history, examination, and surgical goal, your best options for an eyebrow lift are determined.
You will also discuss the recovery process and any potential complications that could arise. At any time, you are encouraged to ask any questions that you may have.
Your second consultation will further deal with your operation choices and reiterate the possible problems and complications with reference to your specific case.
Will I need to be hospitalised for a browlift?
A brow lift is performed in hospital, under general anaesthetic or twilight sedation, and takes approximately 1-2 hours. It is an outpatient procedure, meaning you get to go home the same day, although if combined with other surgeries, such as a face or neck lift, an overnight stay may be recommended. All surgeries are performed in fully accredited facilities ensuring your safety.
What is recovery from brow lift like for men?
Advancements in anaesthesia over recent years have meant more comfort for patients – less pain with minimal postoperative sedation and nausea and a quick recovery to “feeling normal.” The anaesthetists in our team are highly skilled and experienced in modern techniques and devoted to keeping you comfortable.
Recovery will vary depending on the type of brow lift you have undergone. Minimal or no dressings are used, apart from some antibiotic ointment to apply on the incision lines to minimise infection risk. You can shower immediately after the surgery.
Sensations during recovery include tightness, numbness, or itchiness, with the duration of these experiences varying between individuals and depending on the surgery technique used. One to two days of full rest are required, and activity should be reduced for at least several weeks after your brow lift surgery. A seven to ten-day break from work is recommended.
Brow lift Results: What and When?
You can expect bruising and swelling, which is usually worst in the first 72 hours and gradually settles over the following weeks. In general, stitches come out around 5- 10 days. A good idea of results can be seen around 6 weeks after your results, however can take up to 3-6 months to completely settle.
When can men resume day-to-day activities?
You should be ready to resume light activities after 7-10 days. Most patients return to work after about 2 weeks and are asked to refrain from strenuous activities for 6 weeks.
What complications can arise from the procedure?
As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications. These include:
- Infection
- Bruising, bleeding, heamotoma formation
- Scarring
- Anaesthetic problems
- Allergy
- Deep Vein thrombosis
- Pain
Risks and complications specific to Brow Lift include:
- Altered facial sensation
- Scalp Itching
- Hairline Alteration
- Hair loss
- Facial asymmetry
- Facial nerve damage
The potential risks and complications of the surgery will be discussed with you in detail at your preoperative consultations.
Will this procedure leave scars?
In an open brow lift, the incision is made within the hairline and hence can be camouflaged.
In an endoscopic brow lift, multiple small incisions are also made within the hairline and can thus be hidden. Scars can be visible if the hair is parted in a particular way; however, this can be avoided.
Can I combine a Brow Lift with other procedures?
In many cases, deep crease lines to the brow are a patient’s specific concern, and these can be rectified by brow lift surgery alone.
However, due to the relatively non-invasive nature of both procedures today, it is common for patients to complement a brow lift with upper and lower eyelid reduction, to enhance the overall appearance of the entire upper face and prevent the need for a future, separate procedure.
A face and neck lift is sometimes also performed at the same time as both a brow lift and eyelid correction when there is an equal spread of visible ageing over the entire facial anatomy that the patient would like to address.
Combining two or three facial plastic surgery procedures can create a balanced and comprehensive outcome, depending on the signs of ageing you seek to remedy. Your plastic surgeon can advise on the results you can expect from individual or combined cosmetic surgery procedures, including options for non-surgical facial treatments available at Pure Aesthetics, to complement and rejuvenate your appearance after having a single facial surgery, such as a brow lift.
What else should I consider before having this surgery?
As with all facial plastic surgery, good health and realistic expectations are prerequisites. The goal of the browlift is to improve the overall facial appearance.
You may also want to consider your planning for the healing period. Will you need help or assistance from others? Also if you do encounter complications, it is a good idea to understand how they are typically handled so that you are fully prepared.
Do you have any more questions?
Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions that you might have about this procedure. Our team will be happy to address any concerns that you may have.
Before & After
To respect the privacy of our patients, forehead/eyebrow lift before and after cases can be seen in our office during your consultation.
