What does a brow lift do?
A brow lift, often called a forehead lift, raises eyebrows that have dropped over time or have simply always been set low. In the description given by MedlinePlus, the operation corrects sagging of the forehead skin, brows and upper lids, and it may also soften forehead creases and the frown lines between the eyes.
Low brows can make someone look tired, unhappy or cross, and they press skin down onto the upper lids. For some people this weight becomes heavy enough to cut off the top part of their vision.
Who tends to be suited to a brow lift?
Most people who have a brow lift are between their forties and sixties, although younger adults whose brows are low or heavy by nature can also be suitable.
| Points in favour | Points to clarify first |
|---|---|
| Brows that have descended, particularly at their outer ends | Past upper eyelid surgery, after which eye closure has to be checked |
| Upper lid hooding that comes from a low brow | Surplus lid skin with brows in a normal position, where eyelid surgery may fit better |
| Deep horizontal forehead creases or frown lines | A very tall forehead or receding hairline, which needs careful choice of method; forehead reduction may be an option |
| A tired, sad or cross look at rest | Poorly controlled health problems or heavy smoking |
| A goal of a natural brow height | Hoping for brows raised dramatically, giving a startled look |
MedlinePlus notes that a brow lift may be advised against if you have had upper eyelid surgery before, as it could affect how well your eyes close. Dr. Yazır checks this carefully during the examination.
What techniques can be used for a brow lift?
A narrative review of brow lift methods found that none is flawless; each brings its own benefits, limits on how long it lasts and possible complications. The endoscopic method is the one used most widely today, while the direct brow lift still has a place for selected patients – for example people with facial palsy, or men with a high hairline who are willing to accept a visible scar.
| Approach | Principle | Usually considered when |
|---|---|---|
| Endoscopic brow lift | Short cuts behind the hairline let the brow be freed and raised under camera guidance | The forehead is of normal height, as in most patients |
| Temporal (lateral) brow lift | Cuts at the temple raise the outer third of the brow | The drooping is mild to moderate and mainly at the outer brow |
| Hairline (pretrichial) brow lift | An incision runs along the front of the hairline, and skin can be taken away to shorten the forehead | The forehead is tall |
| Coronal brow lift | An incision crosses the top of the head | Sagging is marked; it is used less often today |
| Direct brow lift | Skin is cut away right above the eyebrow | Facial palsy, very heavy brows, or older men who accept a scar |
| Browpexy via the eyelid | The brow is steadied through the incision of an upper eyelid operation | Small corrections at the time of eyelid surgery |
A systematic review from 2026 that compared conventional open methods with endoscopic ones reported that endoscopic and less invasive approaches achieved similar or better cosmetic outcomes with fewer complications. Its authors warned that varied study designs weaken how firmly this can be stated.
What happens during the operation?
- Assessment and planning. Dr. Yazır examines brow position, eyelids, forehead and hairline and plans the direction and extent of the lift.
- Anaesthesia. General anaesthesia is usual; local anaesthesia with sedation is an alternative.
- Entry and release. According to the method, short cuts are made inside the hair or along the hairline, and the tissues that hold the brow down are freed.
- Lifting and securing. The brow is moved to the planned height and held there with stitches or a dissolvable fixation device.
- Closure. The incisions are closed with stitches or clips and a light dressing is put on. Many patients go home on the same day or after a single night.
How does the healing period go?
| Stage | Typical experience |
|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Forehead and eye area are swollen and bruised; you keep your head raised |
| Days 7–10 | Stitches or clips are taken out and the bruises are fading |
| Week 2 | Office work and most social plans are possible again |
| Weeks 4–6 | Sport and heavy exercise can be restarted |
| Months 3–6 | Feeling returns gradually and the brow settles at its final height |
In the first few days the swelling can travel down towards the eyes and cheeks. While the incisions heal, an itchy or numb scalp is common, and this generally eases with time.
How should I organise my visit to Izmir?
Patients travelling from abroad usually set aside 7 to 10 days. Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) is roughly 25–30 minutes by car from Konak, where the clinic is located in the Egeperla building.
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | You land in Izmir; consultation, examination and pre-operative tests |
| Day 2 | Operation; you go home the same day or after one night in hospital |
| Days 3–6 | Resting at the hotel, short walks and a check-up as scheduled |
| Days 7–10 | Stitches or clips out, a last review and your flight home once Dr. Yazır agrees |
Before you travel, photos sent by WhatsApp allow an initial opinion. The plan is only confirmed after Dr. Yazır has seen you in person.
Which risks come with a brow lift?
A systematic review covering 76 studies of brow lift methods showed that each method has its own pattern of complications. Among them, the hairline approach had the most revisions, the direct brow lift the most numbness, the temporal brow lift the most asymmetry and the endoscopic brow lift the most hair loss along the incisions. The reviewers added that randomised studies in this area are lacking.
Complications that can occur:
- Swelling, bruises and reduced feeling in the forehead and scalp
- Brows that are not level with each other
- Weakness of the forehead muscle, usually temporary and rarely permanent
- Hair loss along the incision lines
- Scars that are noticeable or have widened
- The brow dropping back, which sometimes needs a revision
- Haematoma, infection or slow wound healing
- Uncommon problems linked to anaesthesia
Dr. Yazır explains the risks that apply to you during the examination and the informed consent discussion.
Is the result long-lasting?
How well a brow lift holds over time has long been debated in this field. A meta-analysis from 2025 that pooled 12 studies found that endoscopic brow lifts kept a measurable rise in brow position at long-term follow-up, with the outer brow lifted a little more than the inner brow. As the face goes on ageing, some lowering over the years is still to be expected.
What do ENT and facial plastic surgery training add here?
Brows, eyelids and the upper face function together, and the nerves that move the forehead and supply feeling to the scalp pass through the areas involved in surgery. Dr. Yazır's background in otorhinolaryngology and head & neck surgery, together with his focus on facial aesthetic surgery, helps him assess the brow alongside the eyelids and midface, so that the procedure – or combination of procedures – chosen fits your face.