Brow Lift London

Summary

Procedure time
90 min

Anaesthesia
Twilight

Hospital stay
Optional

Support garment
None

Exercise
From 2 weeks

Recovery
6 weeks

Final results
3 months

What is a Brow Lift?

A brow lift, sometimes referred to as a forehead lift, is a surgical treatment designed to raise and reposition the soft tissue, skin and underlying structures of the forehead and brow. As we age, or sometimes due to individual anatomy or lifestyle, the skin of the forehead and brow may lose elasticity and begin to droop, leading to a lower, heavier brow, hooded eyelids or a tired, stern appearance around the eyes.

The main indications for facelifting and brow lifting are mainly two:

1. Aging (sometimes genetically premature and or due to lifestyle)
2. Disproportion between skeletal structure and soft tissues draping our skulls. Yes very young patients can be candidates for skin reduction surgery of the face with the Deep-Plane approach to achieve a “normalisation” of the face and neck.

In general, the lateral component of the eyebrow is normally the first one to drop, producing a “tired or sad” look often at a younger age. This happens simply because there is no elevator muscle on the forehead (frontalis muscle) reaching the most lateral segment of the eyebrow: hence the “tail of the eyebrow” slowly drops following gravity.

By removing excess skin (if needed), tightening the underlying tissue, and redraping the skin, a brow lift restores a more youthful brow arch, a smoother forehead, and a refreshed look to the upper face.

For many individuals, brow lift surgery not only addresses concerns such as deep forehead lines or a heavy brow but can also correct functional issues like brow ptosis that can obscure vision or cause discomfort.

Why Consider Brow Lift Surgery with Dr Stefano Cotrufo

Under Dr Cotrufo’s care, the approach to brow lift adheres to the same ethos that defines his other facial rejuvenation procedures: natural-looking enhancement that preserves facial harmony rather than creating an altered or overdone appearance. The goal is not merely to lift the brow, but to refresh the upper face in a way that complements your unique facial structure and overall balance: the desired outcome in most cases is to look “as ready and vigilant as you feel”.

It is crucial to have a clear diagnosis: it the eye suffering for a true descent of the brow or is also – or primarily – affected by a problem with the upper eyelid? Upper blepharoplasty could be a crucial intervention to optimise the outcome and, in some cases, represents the most appropriate approach to achieve a normalisation of the upper third of the face.

A brow lift under expert hands can deliver a rejuvenated, more alert brow and eye area while retaining your natural expression. This is especially valuable where brow descent has contributed to a hooded eyelid, a fatigued look, or prominent forehead creases.

How Brow Lift Surgery Is Performed

During your initial consultation, Dr Cotrufo will carefully assess your brow anatomy, skin quality, facial proportions, and aesthetic goals. Based on this assessment, the most suitable technique will be selected. In fact, there are many surgical approaches to treat brow ptosis depending on each individual presentation. Clinics specialising in brow lift in London commonly offer several methods, from minimally invasive to more traditional, depending on the patient’s needs.

One option is the minimal invasive or endoscopic brow lift, which involves several small incisions behind the hairline. A small retractor or a thin camera (endoscope) guides the surgeon to lift and reposition the tissues and secure them in place. This method is typically recommended for mild to moderate brow descent and offers the benefit of reduced scarring.

Other approaches include a “direct” brow lift, where an incision is made above the hairline across the top of the brow to lift and redrape the forehead or a temporal (lateral) brow lift, focusing on elevating the outer portion of the brow for a more subtle result. The choice depends on the amount of lift required, the desired shape, the patient’s hairline, skin elasticity and personal preferences.

On the day of surgery, anaesthesia (usually sedation, aka twilight) ensures you are comfortable throughout. The surgery itself generally takes around 2 hours.

After repositioning the brow and forehead tissues, excess skin (if necessary) is removed, and the incisions are closed with fine sutures, designed to heal discreetly within or behind the hairline to minimise visible scarring.

What to Expect in Recovery

In the days following surgery, you can expect some swelling and bruising, particularly around the forehead and brow area. It’s common for patients to experience mild discomfort, which can typically be managed with mild pain relief prescribed by the surgeon.

Most patients are up and moving within 24 hours, and can resume reasonable mobility shortly afterwards. Hair washing and showering are usually possible within a few days, depending on the surgeon’s advice. A first post-operative review is often scheduled about a week after surgery to assess healing and remove sutures if needed.

Care must be taken to avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting or bending for several weeks. Sleeping with the head elevated, avoiding pressure on the brow, and following post-op care instructions helps to reduce swelling and promote optimal healing.

While initial improvements are often visible within a few weeks, final results, when swelling has settled and tissues have stabilised, can take up to 2-3 months. The lifted brow, smoother forehead lines and refreshed upper-face appearance typically endure for many years.

The Benefits of a Brow Lift

A brow lift under Dr Cotrufo can produce a range of aesthetic and functional benefits. Elevating the brow and smoothing the forehead restores a more youthful and open-eyed expression that frames the upper face with balance and refinement. Fine lines and deep creases, such as horizontal forehead lines or frown lines, are softened or eliminated, giving smoother skin and a rejuvenated look.

For those whose brow descent has contributed to excess skin on the upper eyelids or hooded eyes, a brow lift can complement or even substitute eyelid surgery, improving both appearance and visual comfort. This dual benefit of enhanced aesthetics and potential functional improvement is a hallmark of well-performed brow lift surgery.

Results from surgical brow lift tend to be long-lasting, often maintaining a youthful upper-face appearance for a decade or more, though natural ageing continues.

Beyond the physical transformation, many patients experience a boost in self-confidence and satisfaction, appreciating how a refreshed upper face aligns more harmoniously with their overall appearance.

Is a Brow Lift Right for You?

A brow lift may be appropriate if you observe a sagging or heavy brow, hooded upper eyelids, deep forehead lines, or an overall tired or stern appearance around your eyes and forehead. If age-related skin laxity or anatomical features have altered your brow position, this procedure can offer a long-term rejuvenating effect.

During consultation, Dr Cotrufo will assess your skin quality, facial structure, hairline and general health to ensure your suitability for surgery. He will discuss what can be realistically achieved, aligning expectations with likely outcomes, and recommend the most appropriate brow lift technique for your individual situation.

As with all facial surgery, success depends on realistic expectations, good overall health and adherence to post-operative care and aftercare instructions.