Brow Lift
A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, raises the soft tissue and skin of the forehead to correct a low or sagging brow. It addresses the tired, angry, or sad expression a dropped brow can give a face that feels nothing of the kind. Dr. Parham Mafi performs it in Fresno, California, on its own or alongside other facial procedures.
Book a consultationWhat is a
Brow Lift?
A brow lift, also called a forehead lift or forehead rejuvenation, improves the appearance of the forehead, the brow, and the area around the eyes by lifting the soft tissues and the skin. It addresses sagging brows, uneven brows, and the effects of aging, for a more refreshed and youthful look.
The reason to consider one is usually an expression rather than a line. A low or sagging brow can make a face read as tired, angry, or sad to other people, regardless of how you actually feel. Uneven brows, or a short distance between your eyebrows and your eyelashes, are the other two common concerns patients want to address.
A brow lift can be performed on its own or combined with other facial procedures, such as eyelid surgery or a facelift, when the goal is to refresh the face more completely. During your in-person consultation, Dr. Mafi will evaluate your brow and upper eyelids and explain which approach is best for you. This is important because drooping brows and excess upper eyelid skin can create a similar heavy or tired appearance, but they may need to be treated in different ways.
There is no single technique that works for everyone. Dr. Mafi selects the approach that best fits your anatomy, hairline, and goals. Options may include an endoscopic brow lift, performed through small incisions hidden behind the hairline; a temporal brow lift, performed near the temples to gently lift the outer part of the brows and the outer corners of the eyes; a direct brow lift, with an incision above the eyebrows, which may be a good option for patients with fuller or bushier brows; a coronal brow lift, performed through an incision across the scalp to lift the entire forehead and brow; or a hairline brow lift, which lifts the brows while helping to maintain or lower the hairline. Surgery typically takes one to two hours and may be performed with local anesthesia and sedation or under general anesthesia.
Afterward, expect swelling, bruising, and some numbness, all of which improve with time. Incisions may be covered with bandages, and temporary drains are sometimes placed. Bandages come off within one to three days and sutures at seven to ten days. Swelling and bruising fade over a few weeks, though the final result can take several months to settle.
A brow lift improves facial symmetry and creates a more youthful appearance. The result is long-lasting, though aging and sun exposure continue, so sun protection is part of keeping it.
Endoscopic, temporal, direct, coronal, and hairline brow lifts each place the incision differently and lift a different amount. Dr. Mafi selects between them based on your anatomy and your goals, and your hairline and hair thickness genuinely affect which one is appropriate.
A heavy upper eye can come from the brow, from excess eyelid skin, or from both at once. Lifting a brow that was never the problem will not fix it. That is what an in-person examination settles, and it is why a brow lift is often planned together with blepharoplasty.
Most techniques hide the incision behind the hairline or in the temples. The direct and hairline approaches place it above the eyebrows or at the hairline instead, where scars may be more visible. That trade-off is discussed before you choose, not after.
The surgery typically takes one to two hours and is performed under local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia, whichever suits the technique and keeps you comfortable.
Am I a candidate for a brow lift?
A dropped brow reads as tired. Raising it restores an open, rested upper face.
Technique follows an in-person examination of your brow, forehead, and hairline. A brow lift may be worth discussing if:
A Low or Sagging Brow
The brow has dropped enough to weigh on the upper eye.
A Tired or Angry Expression
Your face reads as tired, angry, or sad when you are none of them.
Uneven Brows
One brow sits noticeably lower than the other.
A Short Brow-to-Lash Distance
Little space between the eyebrow and the lash line, crowding the eye.
Aging Through the Forehead
Gradual descent of the forehead and the soft tissue around the eyes.
Planning a Combined Procedure
You are considering eyelid surgery or a facelift at the same time.
Common questions about brow lifts
There is no single price for a brow lift because every procedure is tailored to your individual needs and goals. The cost depends on the technique your anatomy calls for and how extensive the lift needs to be, as well as the facility and anesthesia fees. Your personalized quote will be provided after your consultation, once Dr. Mafi has created your treatment plan. We offer financing options through CareCredit, Cherry, and PatientFi, which allow you to spread the cost into monthly payments. Our team is happy to help you with the application process and answer any questions you may have.
What does a brow lift cost, and can I pay over time?
There is no single price for a brow lift because every procedure is tailored to your individual needs and goals. The cost depends on the technique your anatomy calls for and how extensive the lift needs to be, as well as the facility and anesthesia fees. Your personalized quote will be provided after your consultation, once Dr. Mafi has created your treatment plan. We offer financing options through CareCredit, Cherry, and PatientFi, which allow you to spread the cost into monthly payments. Our team is happy to help you with the application process and answer any questions you may have.
An Open,
Rested Brow
If your brow has dropped enough to change the expression people read on your face, a consultation with Dr. Mafi is where you find out which technique fits, and whether a brow lift is the right answer at all.
Prefer to talk? Call (559) 890-6500.
Medically reviewed by Parham Mafi, M.D., F.A.C.S., board-certified plastic surgeon at Mafi Plastic Surgery. This page is for education and is not a substitute for a personalized medical consultation.
Last medically reviewed August 2026Updated