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A brow lift (also called a forehead lift) is a surgical procedure that raises a drooping or heavy brow and smooths deep forehead lines, giving the upper face a more open, rested appearance. It is often chosen by people whose brows have descended with age, creating a tired or stern look that make-up and skincare cannot address. Because the brow and upper eyelids age together, a brow lift is frequently planned alongside eyelid surgery for a balanced result.
Is this treatment right for you?
Suitable for: people whose brows have dropped with age, creating a heavy, tired look, hooding above the eyes or deep forehead creases.
Less ideal if: your main concern is excess upper eyelid skin alone, which may be better treated with eyelid surgery, or if health conditions make elective surgery inadvisable.
Suitability can only be confirmed by a qualified clinician after assessing you, which is why every plan begins with a free, personalised review rather than a fixed promise.
Benefits & risks
A balanced view matters more than a sales pitch. Weigh both sides and discuss them with a clinician before deciding.
Potential benefits
- Raises a drooping or heavy brow for a more open, rested eye area
- Softens deep horizontal forehead lines and frown lines between the brows
- May reduce the hooded appearance a low brow creates over the upper eyelids
- Incisions are typically placed within or along the hairline to keep scars discreet
- Results are long-lasting, although the face continues to age naturally
- Can be combined with eyelid surgery or a facelift where appropriate
Risks & considerations
- Swelling and bruising around the forehead and eyes in the early weeks
- Infection or bleeding, which occasionally needs further treatment
- Visible scarring or thinning of hair around the incision lines
- Numbness or altered sensation in the forehead or scalp, usually temporary but occasionally lasting
- Asymmetry, an over-lifted appearance or temporary weakness of the forehead muscles
- Anaesthetic risks and, in some cases, the need for revision surgery
Am I a candidate?
- Your brows sit lower than they used to, giving a tired, heavy or stern expression
- You have deep forehead lines or frown lines that bother you
- You are in good general health, a non-smoker or willing to stop before surgery
- You have realistic expectations about what a brow lift can and cannot change
Only a qualified clinician can confirm suitability after a personal assessment.
Process & recovery
A brow lift is usually performed under general anaesthetic or sedation and typically takes one to two hours, depending on the technique used. It may be carried out as a day case or with an overnight hospital stay. Bruising and swelling around the forehead and eyes are common in the first week and largely settle over two to three weeks; strenuous exercise is usually paused for several weeks. As with any surgery, there are risks, including infection, bleeding, visible scarring, asymmetry, altered sensation in the forehead or scalp and, rarely, temporary weakness of the forehead muscles. The treating surgeon will discuss these with you before you decide.
What is a brow lift?
A brow lift, sometimes called a forehead lift or browplasty, repositions the soft tissues of the forehead to raise brows that have gradually descended with age. As skin loses elasticity and the muscles that pull the brow downwards become more dominant, the brow can sit lower over the eyes, deepening horizontal forehead lines and the vertical frown lines between the brows. For some people, a low brow also pushes skin down onto the upper eyelids, adding to a hooded, tired look.
It is worth understanding what a brow lift does and does not treat. It addresses the position of the brow and the lines of the forehead; it does not remove excess eyelid skin, which is the role of upper eyelid surgery, and it does not lift the mid or lower face. Non-surgical options such as anti-wrinkle injections can soften forehead lines and give a modest, temporary lift, but they cannot reposition tissue in the way surgery can. The treating surgeon will examine your brow, eyelids and hairline together to recommend the approach that fits your anatomy and goals.
How a brow lift works
On the day of surgery, a brow lift is usually performed under general anaesthetic or sedation and typically takes one to two hours. The surgeon makes incisions in or along the hairline, lifts and repositions the forehead tissues, may release or weaken the muscles that pull the brow down, and closes the incisions with fine sutures or clips.
Several techniques are in common use, and the choice depends on your degree of brow descent, forehead height and hairline:
| Technique | Incisions | Typically suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Endoscopic brow lift | Several small incisions hidden within the hairline, using a small camera | Mild to moderate brow descent; often a shorter recovery |
| Temporal (lateral) brow lift | Small incisions in the hairline at the temples | Drooping of the outer part of the brow |
| Coronal or hairline brow lift | A longer incision across the scalp or along the hairline | More pronounced sagging or where the forehead height needs consideration |
Where ageing affects the whole face, the treating surgeon may discuss whether combining a brow lift with a facelift or eyelid surgery would give a more balanced overall result.
Recovery: what to expect
Recovery varies from person to person, but a general pattern looks like this:
| Timeframe | What to expect |
|---|---|
| First 48 hours | Tightness, swelling and bruising around the forehead and eyes; rest with the head elevated; cold compresses as advised |
| First 1–2 weeks | Bruising fades; sutures or clips checked or removed; many people return to desk-based work towards the end of this period |
| Weeks 2–6 | Most visible swelling settles; light activity resumes; strenuous exercise usually still paused early on |
| 1–3 months and beyond | Residual swelling resolves, numbness typically improves and scars gradually fade and soften |
Numbness or itching of the forehead and scalp is common in the early months and usually improves, although in a small number of cases altered sensation can persist. Follow the treating surgeon’s advice on wound care, sun protection and returning to exercise.
Results and longevity
A successful brow lift gives a subtly more open, rested appearance around the eyes and softer forehead lines — the aim is that you look refreshed rather than obviously operated on. Results are long-lasting, but no procedure stops the ageing process: skin elasticity, sun exposure, smoking and genetics all influence how the brow changes over the years. Scars are permanent, although they are placed to be as inconspicuous as possible and typically fade well over several months. In some cases asymmetry or an unsatisfactory brow position may lead to a discussion about revision surgery, which is one reason a thorough consultation and realistic expectations matter.
Having a brow lift in Türkiye
We are a facilitator, not a hospital: we coordinate your brow lift at accredited, Ministry of Health–authorised partner hospitals in Türkiye and connect you with the treating surgeon, who assesses your suitability and carries out the procedure. Your journey typically begins with a free online consultation and photo assessment, followed by a personalised, no-obligation treatment plan setting out the recommended technique, the length of stay and what your all-inclusive package covers — transfers, accommodation and interpreter support are arranged so you are not navigating an unfamiliar city alone.
After you return to the UK, follow-up continues remotely, with the care team available to review your healing photos and answer questions during recovery. You can read more about how each stage works on our patient journey page, or request a free, no-obligation personalised plan to find out whether a brow lift is right for you.
Before & after
Frequently asked questions
Will a brow lift look natural? +
A well-planned brow lift aims for a subtle, refreshed look rather than a surprised expression. The treating surgeon assesses your brow position, forehead height and overall facial proportions to plan a lift that suits your face. Discussing your goals openly at the consultation stage helps set realistic expectations.
Can a brow lift be combined with eyelid surgery? +
Yes, a brow lift is commonly combined with upper eyelid surgery, because a heavy brow and excess eyelid skin often contribute to the same tired appearance. The treating surgeon will assess whether one procedure or a combination better suits your goals. Combining procedures can mean a single anaesthetic and one recovery period, though it is not right for everyone.
How long is recovery after a brow lift? +
Most bruising and swelling after a brow lift settles within two to three weeks, and many people feel ready to return to desk-based work after around one to two weeks. Strenuous exercise is usually paused for several weeks. Subtle refinement continues for a few months as residual swelling resolves.
How long does a brow lift last? +
The results of a brow lift are long-lasting, and many people enjoy them for years. The procedure does not stop the natural ageing process, so the brow will continue to change gradually over time. Sun protection, not smoking and a generally healthy lifestyle may help maintain the result.
Is a brow lift painful? +
A brow lift is performed under general anaesthetic or sedation, so you should not feel pain during the operation itself. Afterwards, most people describe tightness, tenderness and a headache-like ache across the forehead rather than severe pain, and this is typically managed with prescribed pain relief. Discomfort usually eases considerably within the first week.
How long do I need to stay in Türkiye for a brow lift? +
Most patients stay in Türkiye for around five to seven days for a brow lift, allowing time for the face-to-face consultation, the surgery itself and an initial follow-up check before travelling. Your personalised treatment plan will confirm the exact stay recommended in your case.
When can I fly home after a brow lift? +
Many people are cleared to fly home around five to seven days after a brow lift, once the treating surgeon is satisfied with early healing. Flying too soon may worsen swelling, so this is always confirmed individually. Your personalised plan sets out the recommended timing before you book anything.
When will I see results after a brow lift? +
You will notice a change as soon as the initial swelling from a brow lift begins to settle, usually within two to three weeks. The final result typically emerges over three to six months as residual swelling resolves and the scars begin to fade and mature.