Eyebrow lift surgery, also known as browplasty or a forehead lift, is a surgical procedure that addresses changes in the position of the brows and the skin of the upper face. As the skin loses elasticity over time, the brows can descend in position, and the forehead can develop wrinkles and folds. For some patients, these changes also affect the appearance of the upper eyelids. The procedure repositions the brow and the underlying tissue to address these concerns. Not everyone who notices changes in this area will be a suitable candidate, and a thorough assessment is an important part of the process.
What Changes in the Face Does This Procedure Address?
The forehead and brow area is often one of the first parts of the face to show visible changes associated with ageing. As the skin and deeper tissues lose their natural firmness, the brows can descend, which may cause the skin to fold over the upper eyelids. Changes to the forehead skin, such as wrinkles and lines between the brows, are also part of what a browplasty can address.
In some cases, a lower brow position can change how the eyes look, with the upper eyelids appearing more covered by the skin above them. For some patients, excess skin in the upper eyelid area can also affect the field of vision, for example, when driving or reading. In these situations, browplasty may form part of the approach, and an eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) may also be discussed if the excess skin is mainly at the eyelid level, as each operation focuses on a different structure.
The changes addressed by browplasty are specific to the upper face, and the procedure does not target the mid or lower face. If concerns are present across multiple areas of the face, other procedures may be considered in conjunction with a brow lift, and this would be discussed during a consultation.
What Makes Someone a Suitable Candidate?
Suitability is assessed on an individual basis and depends on a range of factors. Patients are assessed for their overall health and whether they are medically fit to undergo surgery under general anaesthesia. Certain health conditions may affect suitability, and any relevant medical history will be reviewed as part of the pre-operative assessment.
Age is one factor, but not the only consideration. Changes in the brow and forehead area may develop at different times for different patients, influenced by genetics, lifestyle factors, and skin type. This surgery may be considered for patients in their forties through to their sixties; however, suitability is based on an assessment of individual anatomy and the degree of change present, rather than age alone.
Patients considering browplasty should have realistic expectations about what the procedure can and cannot achieve. Surgery can reposition the brow and address excess skin and deeper tissue changes in the upper face, but outcomes will vary from patient to patient depending on individual anatomy and healing. What results may be achievable in your case will be discussed during a consultation.
What Types of Browplasty Are Available?
Several surgical techniques are used to lift the brow, and the approach will depend on which part of the brow needs to be addressed and the extent of the changes present. An endoscopic browplasty involves several small incisions within the hairline. A thin camera, called an endoscope, is inserted through one of these incisions to visualise the deeper tissue and reposition it without a large open incision.
A temporal browplasty focuses specifically on the outer portion of the brow, which is often the first area to descend with age. This is one of the more commonly performed techniques and is frequently used to address changes at the outer corner of the eye. For patients undergoing eyelid surgery at the same time, a transpalpebral browplasty can be performed, which means the brow lift is carried out through the same incisions used for the eyelid surgery rather than requiring separate cuts.
The traditional open browplasty, also referred to as a coronal brow lift, involves a longer incision across the scalp. While this technique remains an option, endoscopic and temporal approaches are now more commonly used as they involve smaller incisions and a more targeted area of the scalp. The specific technique recommended will be discussed during your consultation based on your anatomy and the areas being addressed.
What Does Recovery Involve?
Recovery after browplasty involves an initial healing stage of around two weeks. During this time, you are often advised to rest at home, reduce physical activity, and arrange time away from work. Swelling and bruising around the forehead and eye area are expected in the early days and weeks after surgery, and these changes may lessen as healing progresses, although the course of recovery can differ between patients.
Follow-up appointments are part of standard post-operative care. An initial review is scheduled within the first week, with further appointments at around six weeks, six months, and twelve months so that healing can be monitored and any concerns can be discussed. Post-operative instructions are provided and should be followed carefully throughout the recovery period.
Browplasty is not considered a permanent procedure. The changes from surgery may remain for many years, and in some cases, this may be around ten to twelve years, but the natural ageing process continues, and further changes in the brow and forehead area can occur over time. For patients who want to address these changes, browplasty may be considered again after a detailed assessment.
Why Choose Dr Hunt for Eyebrow Lift Surgery in Sydney
Dr Jeremy Hunt is a registered specialist plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of surgical experience. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Sydney (MBBS), is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS), and is a Member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), and the International Society of Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS). He completed a Craniofacial Fellowship at the University of Texas, where he received advanced training in the bones and soft tissues of the face, skull, and jaw. He also serves as a Consultant Surgeon at Sydney Children’s Hospital and the Prince of Wales Hospital.
Dr Hunt performs several types of browplasty, including endoscopic, temporal, and transpalpebral techniques, and all procedures are performed in a hospital setting. Having multiple techniques available means the approach can be matched to each patient’s specific anatomy and the area of the brow being addressed, rather than applying a single approach to all cases.
Each patient is assessed individually. During a consultation, Dr Hunt reviews your forehead and brow anatomy, discusses the changes you have noticed, outlines which procedure or combination of procedures may be appropriate in your case, and explains the associated risks and recovery considerations so you can make an informed decision.