Procedure
Brow Lift in Cyprus
Surgery to raise droopy eyebrows and reduce the horizontal lines across the forehead. Three techniques are used, chosen according to how much skin has descended, the hairline, and whether the forehead itself is being addressed.
Procedure facts
- Duration
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Anaesthesia
- General anaesthesia or sedation
- Hospital stay
- Day surgery
- Pre-admission tests
- Blood tests and electrocardiogram
- Downtime
- 1 week
- Driving
- A few days
- Exercise
- 1 month
- Final result
- 1 month
Overview
Eyebrows shape and balance the face, frame the eyes, and carry a great deal of expression. As the brow descends and horizontal lines develop across the forehead, a tired, sad or angry expression can settle onto a face at rest.
What a brow lift does
A brow lift — also called a forehead lift or browplasty — raises droopy and sagging eyebrows to a position that reads as more symmetric. It reduces the appearance of forehead wrinkles and smooths the lines between the eyebrows and on the bridge of the nose. Incisions are hidden within the hairline. There is evidence that the procedure helps some patients with tension headaches.
Techniques
Where the incision is placed depends on the degree of skin descent, whether the forehead is being addressed, and the appearance of the patient’s hairline.
Coronal brow lift (forehead lift)
An incision extends from ear to ear across the top of the head, placed just behind the hairline. The forehead is lifted down over the face, giving wide exposure to the forehead and brow muscles. This technique elevates all portions of the brow and suits patients who want the eyebrows lifted and the forehead shortened, lowering the hairline in those with a high forehead. It works better in patients with a low forehead. It can be performed under intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia.
The trade-offs are the size of the incision, potential hair loss in the area of the scar, and numbness of the scalp behind the incision. Balding patients and those with thinning hair are not good candidates, as the scar is more visible.
Supraciliary brow lift (direct brow lift)
A section of skin and underlying tissue is removed above and along the length of the eyebrow, with the incision placed immediately over the brow hairs to camouflage it. The ideal candidates are patients whose low brow position obstructs the upper visual field and who have dark, thick eyebrow hair. No overcorrection is necessary because of the mechanical advantage at this location. It is easily performed under local anaesthesia.
Transpalpebral browpexy
This is performed through the same upper eyelid incision as an upper blepharoplasty. It is a more limited procedure and addresses mild brow ptosis. Rather than raising the brow, it supports it and prevents further descent over time, fixing the brow to the superior orbital rim.
Because the upper eyelid sits close to the brow bone, adding a browpexy to an upper blepharoplasty adds little risk and requires no additional incision. The effect is more subtle, which suits patients needing modest brow elevation or preferring a less invasive approach. It leaves no scalp scar, can be used in bald patients, and does not cause alopecia.
Who it suits
A forehead lift may suit generally healthy adults in good physical shape at a stable body weight. It is typically performed on patients aged between 40 and 70, but anyone with lined or inelastic forehead skin — whether from muscle activity or inherited — may be a candidate. Realistic goals and expectations matter more than age.
What it improves
- A fresher, less tired appearance
- Improved eye shape
- More open eyes
- Fewer tension headaches
- Reduced forehead wrinkles
- Raised eyelids
- Reduced lines between the eyebrows
- A refined area on the bridge of the nose
Recovery
On waking there are soft dressings in place. A small, soft drain may be used to remove wound fluid over the first one to three days. Most patients experience minimal pain but may feel slight discomfort and tightness across the forehead. Pain medication is prescribed as needed. Hair can be washed within a day or two, and many patients return to work after seven to ten days or sooner.
Swelling and bruising peak during the first ten days and mostly resolve within two to three weeks. Brow lift incisions heal well: the scalp has an excellent blood supply, the incision is concealed within hair, and closure is tension-free. Minimising direct sun exposure during healing prevents permanent hyperpigmentation and sunburn of the scar.
As swelling and bruising subside the improvement appears over several weeks. Natural ageing continues afterwards; skincare, sun protection and non-surgical treatments help maintain the position achieved.
Where the surgery takes place
Dr. Stavrou performs brow lift surgery in accredited medical centres in Cyprus, Greece and Malta. After the procedure the patient is transferred to the recovery suite and monitored by the medical staff.
Risks and considerations
A brow lift carries the general risks of surgery and some specific to the forehead and scalp. Bruising and swelling, and temporary numbness or an altered sensation across the forehead and scalp, are common in the early weeks and usually resolve. Because the incisions are placed within or behind the hairline the scars are normally hidden, but healing varies and thinning of the hair around a scar is an occasional complication. Less common risks include asymmetry of the brows, a raised hairline and, rarely, weakness of the muscles that raise the eyebrow where a nerve is affected. The aim is a rested rather than a startled look, and how much lift suits a particular face is discussed at the consultation.
Questions patients ask
Can other procedures be combined with a brow lift?
A brow lift improves the forehead and upper eye region but does not address the upper eyelids, mid-face, cheeks, neck or jawline. It is often combined with blepharoplasty, to remove excess skin of the upper or lower eyelids; with a facelift, to address the cheeks and mid-face; or with a neck lift, to lift the jowls and restore definition to the neck.
How do I know whether a brow lift is right for me?
At consultation Dr. Stavrou takes a complete medical history and explores the reasons for seeking a brow lift. The examination covers facial bone structure, skin composition, thickness, texture and elasticity, eyebrow position, hairline, and the extent of facial wrinkles and folds. An individualised plan follows from that rather than from the procedure name.
Will a brow lift make me look surprised, or stop my forehead moving?
No. A brow lift elevates the forehead by a moderate amount and the result is intended to be subtle. The forehead is fixed to prevent descent, not to prevent movement, and normal forehead movement continues after surgery.
How long does a brow lift last?
On average, results last between five and ten years or more, depending on the technique used and on natural ageing, which continues regardless.
How painful is a brow lift?
There is no pain during the procedure itself. Afterwards some discomfort, swelling and mild bruising are common and are managed with prescribed pain medication. Most patients find the discomfort tolerable.
Do brow lifts look natural?
The aim is to raise the brows to a more youthful position while keeping the facial features in proportion with one another. The outcome depends on the technique chosen for the individual anatomy rather than on the operation as a category.
Do you have to shave the head for a brow lift?
No. Incisions are made within the hairline or along natural creases. A small amount of hair near the incision may be trimmed, but this is minimal and inconspicuous.
Am I awake during a brow lift?
Depending on the extent of the procedure and patient preference, the operation is performed under sedation or general anaesthesia. Either way the intention is that no pain is felt during the procedure.
Does a brow lift help hooded eyes?
Yes. Lifting and repositioning the brows reduces the excess upper eyelid skin that produces a hooded appearance. Where the eyelid skin itself is the main problem, blepharoplasty may be the more direct answer.
At what age should you have a brow lift?
There is no age requirement. A brow lift suits patients whose brows have descended or whose forehead lines are marked. Timing is assessed individually at consultation.
Where it is performed
- Surgery in Cyprus
- The Surgery Center 3i, Strovolos
- Surgery in Athens
- Iatriko Athinon, Marousi Mediterraneo Hospital, Glyfada
Where yours takes place is agreed at the consultation.
How we quote
A quotation follows consultation, because what it costs depends on what the operation actually involves for you — the technique, the time in theatre, and whether anything is being addressed at the same time. We do not publish price lists and we do not quote before examining you.
Arranging a consultation
Book a slot in the clinic diary directly, or send the details of what you are considering and we will reply with the times we have.