Brow Lift, Also Known as Forehead Lift or Temporal Lift
A brow lift is a plastic surgery procedure designed to raise drooping eyebrows to a higher, more refreshed position. Also referred to as a forehead lift or temporal lift, a brow lift may help smooth forehead wrinkles, reduce frown lines between the brows, and address a heavy or tired appearance in the upper face.
If sagging brows are affecting how rested or alert you look, a brow lift may be a suitable option to discuss with your surgeon.
What Does a Brow Lift Address?
A brow lift procedure is designed to address:
- Drooping or low-set eyebrows
- Deep horizontal forehead lines
- Frown lines (glabellar lines) between the brows
- A heavy or hooded appearance above the eyes
- Asymmetry of the eyebrows
In some cases, a brow lift may reduce the appearance of hooded upper eyelids. Your surgeon will assess whether a brow lift alone is appropriate or whether eyelid surgery may also be recommended.
Planning Your Brow Lift Surgery
The Consultation
Every brow lift begins with a thorough consultation. Your surgeon will ask about your general state of health and carefully analyse your eyebrows, forehead, and upper eyelids. The position of your hairline and brow will be studied, and the findings will be discussed with you to help plan your brow lift treatment.
We will listen to your concerns, discuss your expectations, and help you make a well-informed decision. The brow lift procedure will be described in detail, and you will receive advice on how to prepare for surgery and how to support your recovery. A GP or specialist referral is required before a cosmetic surgery consultation in Australia, and a mandatory cooling-off period applies.
Learn more about Dr Barnouti and his approach to facial plastic surgery.
The Brow Lift Procedure
A brow lift can be performed under local anaesthesia with sedation or under general anaesthesia.
The incision is approximately 5 cm long and is placed at the top of the head behind the hairline, resulting in a scar that is typically concealed within the hair. Through this incision, the skin and fascia of the forehead, brow, and eye area are elevated and repositioned.
The brow lift procedure takes approximately 60 minutes, and you will generally be able to return home the same day.
After Your Brow Lift
When you return home after your brow lift, you will receive an aftercare information sheet, a follow-up appointment, and Dr Barnouti’s private phone number so you can contact him day or night if medically required.
Due to local anaesthesia, the area will remain numb for approximately 6 hours after surgery. Once the anaesthetic wears off, you may experience mild pain, swelling, and bruising. These symptoms typically improve with simple analgesics and head elevation. Temporary bruising around the eyes may occur for a few days.
The stitches used in a brow lift are dissolvable and do not require removal.
Recovery and Return to Activities
You will need rest for 1–2 days following your brow lift, followed by light duties. Most patients return to normal activities within 10–14 days, though individual recovery may vary.
Combining a Brow Lift with Other Procedures
A brow lift is often performed alongside other facial rejuvenation procedures to address multiple areas of the face. Procedures commonly combined with a brow lift include:
- Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) — to address puffiness, excess skin, or under-eye bags
- Face and neck lift — for mid- and lower-face rejuvenation
- Deep plane face and neck lift — for more comprehensive facial repositioning
- Fat injection (lipofilling) — to restore volume to temples, cheeks, or under the eyes
- Thread lift — a less invasive lifting option
Dr Barnouti will advise you on the most suitable combination of procedures for your individual situation.
Final Thoughts
A brow lift is a well-established procedure for addressing drooping eyebrows, forehead lines, and frown lines in the upper face. At Sydney Plastic Surgery®, every brow lift is planned individually. Dr Barnouti will take the time to understand your concerns, explain the procedure, and develop a plan tailored to your goals and anatomy.
If you are considering a brow lift in Sydney, the next step is to book a consultation. There is no obligation — just honest, personalised advice.
Frequently Asked Questions (Brow Lift)
Yes. In strict alignment with the latest AHPRA and Medical Board of Australia cosmetic safety directives, a valid referral from an independent General Practitioner (GP) is mandatory prior to coordinating your first clinical assessment with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon. Additionally, a mandatory 7-day cooling-off period must take place post-consultation before your surgery can be legally scheduled.
Dr Barnouti places the main incisional entrance discreetly within or behind the natural hairline (typically spanning roughly 5 cm at the top or sides of the scalp). Because the entry pathways are masterfully aligned with your hair pattern, any resultant scarring is safely concealed within your hair, rendering it virtually unnoticeable once fully healed.
Due to localized anaesthesia techniques, the operative field remains comfortably numb for about 6 hours post-surgery.
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Initial Downtime: You will need strict clinical rest for 1 to 2 days with your head elevated.
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Returning to Work: Most patients resume light, desk-based occupations within 10 to 14 days, once baseline post-operative swelling and minor bruising around the eye orbit drop down.
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Sutures: The fine closure stitches used by Dr Barnouti are advanced dissolvable structures that do not require painful clinical extraction.
A brow lift raises the entire brow and may smooth the forehead, while eyelid surgery addresses excess skin and fat on the eyelids. In some cases, a brow lift alone may improve hooded upper lids. Dr Barnouti will assess whether you may benefit from a brow lift, eyelid surgery, or both.
Brow lift results are generally long-lasting, though the natural ageing process continues over time. Sun protection, a healthy lifestyle, and following your surgeon’s aftercare advice may help maintain your results. Individual outcomes vary.
According to our structured cosmetic fee frameworks, surgical pricing for a brow lift is starting from $6,990 to $7,990. This complete surgical framework encompasses your specialist surgeon’s fee, the medical anaesthetic fee, the day surgery facility costs, and six weeks of comprehensive post-operative clinical care.
Yes. Brow lift surgery is performed on both men and women. For male patients, care is taken to maintain a natural brow shape appropriate to masculine facial proportions.
They are fundamentally the same procedure. While “brow lift” targets the position and contour of the eyebrows, “forehead lift” refers to the broader refinement of the upper face, including smoothing out horizontal lines and vertical glabellar (frown) lines between the eyes. Depending on your baseline anatomy, a temporal lift may also be performed to target the outer corner of the eyes and brows specifically.
How much does a brow lift cost?
| Procedure | Price Estimate | Conditions / Comments |
|---|
| Brow Lift | $6,990 - $7,990 | This price includes surgeon fee, anaesthetic fee, day surgery fee & 6 weeks follow up. |
Page Content Clinically Reviewed by Dr Barnouti
Dr. Barnouti (MED: 0001192783) is a Board-Certified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with 25 years of experience performing advanced cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), a member of ASAPS, and serves as a Senior Lecturer at the University of NSW.
Dr. Barnouti operates out of leading, fully accredited Sydney hospitals with a strict focus on patient safety.
Dr. Barnouti (MED: 0001192783)