Brow Lift & Forehead Lift

Discomfort following a brow lift or forehead lift is mild to moderate and well-managed with pain medications. The sensation feels like tightness or slight pressure in the forehead rather than sharp pain. Swelling and bruising are common in the first few days but gradually subside within the first week or two. Post-operative instructions will include recommendations for sleeping positions and how to minimize swelling. By following these guidelines, most patients find that any discomfort resolves quickly, allowing them to focus on their beautiful results.

Most patients will need an initial consultation, the surgical procedure itself, and a series of follow-up visits to monitor healing. The first post-operative appointment usually takes place within a few days of surgery, where Dr. Rivera will assess your healing and remove any sutures if necessary. Additional follow-ups are typically scheduled at the two-week, one-month, and three-month marks, and long-term follow-ups can also be scheduled if desired to maintain results and monitor facial aging over time.

While swelling will be prominent initially after surgery, you will still notice an improvement in your brow and forehead positioning. However, it can take a few months for the tissues to fully settle into their final position and for the incision lines to fade. The beauty of a brow or forehead lift is that many patients enjoy their refreshed look for years. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and using proper skincare and sun protection can help prolong your results.

Many patients choose to pair a brow lift or forehead lift with other facial procedures. Common combinations include eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) to address sagging eyelids, a facelift to improve the lower face and jawline, or Botox to enhance results and maintain smoothness. Non-surgical treatments such as laser resurfacing or dermal fillers can also complement the effects of surgery by improving skin texture and restoring volume. Combining procedures can also minimize overall downtime, allowing you to recover from multiple enhancements at once.

Swelling, bruising, temporary numbness, asymmetry, scarring, or infection are possible, though these are rare when performed by an experienced professional. Some patients may experience mild tightness in the forehead or temporary hairline changes, but these typically resolve over time. Dr. Rivera takes every precaution to provide the safest procedure and provides detailed aftercare instructions while monitoring your progress through follow-up visits.

The ideal aesthetic of a youthful brow in females includes a position at rest above the upper orbital rim (bony ledge behind the brow area), with a very gradual arch laterally. In males, the ideal position is at the orbital rim. The ‘tail’ or lateral end should be higher than the medial one. In some cases, the muscles that make you frown can be partially removed to smooth the lower central forehead permanently (this is called corrugator muscle resection), which will decrease the need to use neurotoxins (Botulinum toxin) if the patient desires. A personal consultation will determine what is best for you.

You have low-hanging eyebrows at or below the superior orbital bony rim. Your eyebrow position creates a tired, sad, or grumpy appearance. You have frown lines, deep wrinkles, or furrows across and above your nose’s upper part and between the eyebrows. You look tired and angry, despite feeling otherwise due to the aforementioned creases. A forehead or brow lift may be right for you if you are bothered by these aging signs in the brow and forehead region.