Brow Lift Surgery in Seattle & Bellevue



Among the most obvious signs of aging are the wrinkling, furrowing, and drooping of the brow area, which can leave the forehead looking heavy and aged. Luckily, these concerns can be significantly improved with an expertly performed brow lift. If your concerns cannot be adequately addressed by a facelift or eyelid lift, it may be time to consider a brow lift. For more dramatic facial rejuvenation, the brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, can be performed at the same time as other facial procedures.

Experience You Can Trust:

Dr. Sobel has performed thousands of cosmetic procedures.

Read About Dr. Sobel

What are the types of brow lifts? Who is a good candidate for each?

Many advances have recently been made in brow lift surgery. Each technique has its unique approach and is best suited for different candidates based on their anatomy, age, skin type, and desired outcomes. Below are the most common techniques Dr. Sobel uses to rejuvenate the brow line.

Coronal brow lift

This traditional method uses an incision across the top of the head, from ear to ear, hidden within the hair. The forehead skin is lifted, allowing Dr. Sobel to adjust the muscles and tissues beneath. Excess skin is then removed, and the incision is closed.

This technique is excellent if:

  • You have significant forehead wrinkles and deep frown lines
  • You have an adequate amount of hair to hide the scar
  • You do not have a receding or “high hairline”

Trichophytic Brow Lift

This technique is similar to the coronal lift but with a key difference in the incision placement. The incision is made just at or slightly behind the hairline to allow the hairline to be moved forward or kept in its original position, which can be beneficial for those with a high forehead.

This technique is excellent if:

  • You have a “high forehead” and are concerned about raising your forehead
  • You wish to avoid the more extensive coronal approach

Endoscopic Brow Lift

This less invasive technique uses a small camera (endoscope) and special instruments inserted through small incisions within the hairline. This allows Dr. Sobel to see and work on the various internal structures of the forehead. The forehead tissue is then lifted and anchored in a higher position.

This technique is excellent if:

  • You have less prominent aging signs
  • You want a less invasive procedure with minimal scarring and a shorter recovery time

Direct Brow Lift

A direct brow lift uses small incisions directly above the eyebrows or in the forehead wrinkles. The skin and underlying tissues are then lifted and repositioned. This technique allows for precise control over the brow’s shape and position.

This technique is excellent if:

  • You are an older patient with thick, deep forehead wrinkles, as the scars can be hidden within these lines
  • You desire very specific adjustments to the brow position

Transpalpebral (through the eyelid) brow lift

This technique uses an incision made in the upper eyelid crease. Through this incision, Dr. Sobel modifies or removes parts of the muscle that cause frown lines, and adjusts the brow position slightly.

This technique is excellent if:

  • You have minimal brow drooping and are already undergoing eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). This technique is less about lifting the brow significantly and more about softening the appearance of frown lines.

The endoscopic and transpalpebral approaches are excellent for those patients with thin or receding hair.

What to Expect from Brow Lift Surgery in Seattle & Bellevue

Your Brow Lift Consultation with Dr. Sobel

During your consultation, Seattle brow lift surgery expert Dr. Alex Sobel will listen to your surgery goals and determine which type of forehead lift would provide you with the most benefit. Depending on your unique anatomy, Dr. Sobel tailors each approach to maximize your results while leaving you with the least amount of visible scarring possible.

In this video, Dr. Sobel shares who is the best candidate for an eye lift verses a brow lift.

Your Procedure

Dr. Sobel typically performs brow lifts with IV sedation and local anesthesia. If you are combining a browlift with another surgery, Dr. Sobel may recommend general anesthesia to keep you comfortable.

Once Dr. Sobel has achieved a rejuvenated appearance of your forehead and eyelids according to your personalized surgery plan, he places very fine sutures and carefully covers them with bandages. You can return home the same day.

“I recently elected to have a brow lift and eyelid surgery. I chose Dr. Sobel to do the surgery after reading his credentials, viewing his website and then going in for a consultation to make sure I was a good candidate. My results are so amazing and I’m only one month to the day from my surgery. What a transformation. His skill is obvious and I find myself smiling every time I look at myself in the mirror! The office is clean, well decorated and the staff is professional and friendly.”

—5-star Google review

Brow Lift Recovery

Recovery after facial surgery is relatively straightforward. Swelling and bruising along the face are typical after surgery and will quickly diminish as you heal. Your eyelids may also look puffy if Dr. Sobel places an incision through your eyelids. During recovery, keep your head elevated when you sleep to keep swelling at bay.

Depending on your surgery plan, the sutures will be removed in the office 3 to 10 days after surgery depending on the approach. Dr. Sobel will provide specific guidelines during your consultation on resuming normal daily tasks, exercise levels, and hygiene protocols to ensure you enjoy a smooth recovery.

Forehead Lift Results

You’ll see an immediate change in your upper face; however, it will take a few weeks to several months for the swelling to completely resolve.

Results from forehead lift surgery vary with each individual case, but most of our patients are highly satisfied with their smoother, more youthful appearance after surgery. Smoothing out the forehead and eyelids decreases the heaviness and signs of aging in the skin for a more rested, younger look.

Combining a Brow Lift with Other Procedures

Two procedures we frequently combine with the brow lift are the mid-face lift and the traditional facelift. These address concerns in the mid-face and jawline/neck regions respectively, refreshing overall facial appearance.

We can also discuss adding other facial rejuvenation procedures to your surgery plan during your consultation, such as an eyelid lift (blepharoplasty), a great addition for patients with “hooded eyelids.”

  • Reduces forehead wrinkles and frown lines for a more youthful and relaxed appearance.
  • Elevates sagging eyebrows which can brighten and rejuvenate the overall appearance of the face.
  • Improves the appearance of the eyelids, making the eyes look more open and vibrant, especially if sagging brows give the impression of droopy eyelids.

Botox: A cosmetic injection (like Dysport) that temporarily paralyzes muscles to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles and lines.

Browplasty: Another term for brow lift surgery, focusing on altering the shape and position of the eyebrows.

Conscious Sedation: A medical technique that uses medication to relax a patient and reduce pain and discomfort during a procedure, while the patient remains awake. Often called “twilight anaesthesia”

Frown Lines: Deep wrinkles that develop between the eyebrows and on the forehead, typically from aging or repeated facial expressions.

Hairline: The line formed by the edge of the scalp where hair grows, especially across the forehead.

Noninvasive: Referring to procedures or treatments that do not require an incision into the body or removal of tissue.

Ptosis: A condition where the upper eyelid droops over the eye.

Upper Lid Blepharoplasty: A surgical procedure focused on correcting defects, deformities, and disfigurations of the upper eyelids.

Upper-Eyelid: The top fold of skin covering the eye when it is closed, extending from the eyebrow to the eyelashes.

Brow Lift Surgery FAQs

Avoid strenuous activity and exercise for at least 4-6 weeks to limit excessive swelling in the face. Because an eyebrow lift is often considered one of the less invasive facial surgery options, you will be able to resume light movement as soon as you feel up to it.

Brow lift surgery may indirectly lift droopy eyelids as it removes excess skin which can weigh down eyelid skin.

No, Dr. Sobel does not change your eye shape during brow lift surgery; however, some patients may feel like they can open their eyes wider and with greater ease because excess skin in the upper face was removed and anchored into a higher position.

References »

Broadbent T, Mokhktarzadeh A, Harrison A. Minimally invasive brow lifting techniques. Current Opinion in Ophthalmology. 2017. doi: 10.1097/ICU.0000000000000391

Karimi N, Kashkouli MB, Sianati H, Khademi B. Techniques of Eyebrow Lifting: A Narrative Review. Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research. 2020. doi: 10.18502/jovr.v15i2.6740

Cho MJ, Carboy JA, Rohrich RJ. Complications in Brow Lifts: A Systemic Review of Surgical and Nonsurgical Brow Rejuvenations. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2018. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000001943

Learn more about how a brow lift can transform your look today

Dr. Sobel has performed thousands of facial surgeries in Seattle and Bellevue, Washington. If you have been considering a forehead or brow lift in Seattle, contact us now to set up a consultation and find out how you could benefit.

Areas served:


Medically reviewed by Dr. Alexander Sobel — Updated on Jan 29, 2024