Brow Lift
Lifted and Refreshed
Are you tired of deep creases across your forehead? Do your brows sit low or make the upper-eye area appear hooded? Do others sometimes perceive your expression as tired, stern, or angry?
Do you notice heaviness or excess tissue around your upper eyelids? A brow lift performed by Houston facial plastic surgeon Dr. Raghu Athré can elevate the brows and create a more refreshed appearance.
“Couldn't be any more pleased! I came in with a mindset of what I was expecting and they surpassed my expectations!”
– Julie P. (Houston, TX), facial plastic surgery patient
About Brow Lifts
What is a brow lift?
The eyebrows frame the eyes and help shape the overall look of the face. Because the eyes are a central facial feature, changes in the brow and forehead can influence how the entire face is perceived.
Brow lift surgery has many synonyms, including forehead lift, eyebrow lift, and cat eye surgery. The purpose of a brow lift procedure is to lift the brows, open the eyes, and make the eyes seem more awake and alert.
Key Takeaways
- Rejuvenate the upper face: Reduce forehead wrinkles, frown lines, and a sagging brow line for a more youthful appearance.
- Minimally invasive options: Choose from endoscopic techniques for a quicker recovery and minimal scarring.
- Long-lasting results: Enjoy a refreshed, lifted look that lasts several years.
- Boost your confidence: Look and feel your best with a youthful and energetic appearance.
- Natural-looking results: Dr. Athré prioritizes techniques that achieve a subtle lift, harmonizing your facial features.
Before & After Photos
Brow Lift Gallery
About the Procedure
Brow/Forehead Anatomy
A brow lift repositions descended brows closer to a more youthful, natural position.
Underneath the skin of the forehead is a tissue layer and a muscle layer. The muscle layer, or the frontalis muscle, holds the brows up. This muscle is active when we raise the eyebrows or make a surprised expression. The tissue layer is made up of a matrix of collagen and elastin, which gives the forehead its youthful fullness. As aging occurs in this area, the collagen and elastin degrade. Gravity exerts a downward pull, which causes the brow tissues to descend.
To compensate, the frontalis muscle contracts to lift the brows up. Initially, the muscle is able to compensate for the downward pull of the brows. Over time, the chronic contraction of the frontalis muscle causes furrows or lines in the skin of the forehead.
Eventually, the frontalis muscle is not able to compensate, leading to:
- A lowered position of the brows
- Increased fullness in the brow region
- Increased fullness of the upper eyelid region
A well-planned and executed brow lift procedure will account for both the tissue and muscle layers. The goal is to subtly elevate the brows, smooth the forehead skin, and achieve an appearance that looks naturally more youthful.
Natural-looking Results, Lasting Improvement
Endoscopic Brow Lift and Modified Endoscopic/Temporal Brow Lift
A brow lift can address a variety of concerns in the upper face, ultimately leading to a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance. For some patients, the procedure may also affect how rested or approachable they feel they appear. Here's a closer look at how Dr. Athré approaches brow lift surgery for natural-looking facial rejuvenation in Houston patients:
Restore a Youthful Look
Over time, the skin loses elasticity, and the brows can begin to droop. A brow lift addresses these concerns by strategically lifting and smoothing the forehead skin and brow line. This reduces the appearance of forehead wrinkles, frown lines, and a tired or angry expression, creating a more refreshed and youthful look.
Boost Your Confidence
Looking your best can have a significant impact on how you feel. Addressing a concern that causes self-consciousness may improve a patient’s satisfaction with their appearance. A brow lift can address visible signs of aging that can contribute to feelings of self-consciousness. By restoring a more youthful and energetic look, a brow lift can boost your confidence and help you feel more empowered in your everyday life.
Enjoy Long-Lasting Results
Modern brow lift techniques offer long-lasting results. While individual results may vary, the effects of a brow lift can be enjoyed for several years. Results may remain visible for several years, although natural aging continues.
Minimally Invasive Options for Faster Recovery
Brow lift procedures have evolved significantly. Dr. Athré offers minimally invasive endoscopic techniques that create smaller incisions and result in a quicker recovery with minimal scarring. Smaller incisions may reduce recovery time compared with more extensive open techniques.
Natural-Looking Enhancements for a Harmonious Appearance
At Athré Facial Plastics, achieving natural-looking results is paramount. Dr. Athré prioritizes techniques that subtly lift and smooth the brow line, ensuring the final outcome complements your unique facial features and maintains a balanced and harmonious appearance.
Types of Brow Lift Surgery
Surgical Options
Endoscopic Brow Lift and Modified Endoscopic/Temporal Brow Lift
An endoscopic brow lift uses several small incisions concealed within the hairline. Normally, four incisions are used. The first two incisions are directly above the medial portion of the brow within the hairline. The other two incisions are placed at approximately a 45-degree angle from the outer brow, near the junction of the hair-bearing and non-hair-bearing skin. The endoscopic brow lift is the technique that Dr. Athré uses most frequently to lift the brow complex.
The advantage of this technique is that the incisions are completely hidden inside the hairline. This placement allows the incisions to remain concealed within the hairline and may produce a less visible scar. Earlier endoscopic brow lift techniques were sometimes criticized for limited durability. These less durable results were often associated with incomplete tissue release and reliance on a single absorbable fixation point.
Dr. Athré’s modified endoscopic/temporal technique is designed to provide concealed incisions, a natural-looking result, and durable brow support.
Brow Lift Anesthesia
Most brow lift procedures are performed under local anesthesia with oral sedation.
The brow area is relatively easy to anesthetize with local blocks. Advantages of local anesthesia include a quicker immediate recovery and the ability to assess brow symmetry during the procedure.
For patients who are extremely anxious, the brow lift surgery may be performed under general anesthesia. The main factors influencing this decision are:
- Patient medical history
- Patient comfort with local anesthesia
- Patient anxiety and personal preferences
Nonsurgical Options
The primary nonsurgical therapies for aging brows are BOTOX®, Dysport™, and other neuromodulators.
In early brow aging, BOTOX may soften forehead lines and produce a modest change in brow position by relaxing selected muscles. If injected carefully, BOTOX can relax forehead lines and result in a smoother forehead. BOTOX can also be injected into selected brow-depressor muscles to create what is commonly called a ‘BOTOX brow lift.’ Injecting these muscles can reduce their downward pull and may elevate the brows by approximately 1–2 millimeters.
BOTOX cannot be used to treat moderate or severe brow aging.
e.l.f. Brow Lift and Makeup Techniques
Patients primarily wanting to shape their brows may use makeup products such as e.l.f. Brow Lift Gel. These types of products, including tattoos, do nothing to actually lift the brows. They can create the appearance of a more defined or lifted brow but do not reposition the underlying tissue.
Endoscopic Brow Lift Cost
An endoscopic brow lift is an advanced, minimally invasive technique that lifts and rejuvenates the entire brow area.
The surgeon uses a small endoscopic camera to view the underlying tissues and guide their repositioning, resulting in minimal scarring and a quicker recovery.
Performed under general anesthesia, the endoscopic brow lift typically involves about one week of downtime, with results becoming more apparent as the initial swelling diminishes.
Endoscopic Brow Lift
$10,000 Starting Range
- + Facility Fees ($1,750)
- + Anesthesia (Local $1,500), (General $2,500)
Temporal Brow Lift Cost
A lateral brow lift is an effective solution for those looking to address sagging or drooping at the outer edges of the eyebrows, which is often one of the first areas to show signs of aging.
By elevating the outer brow, the procedure can create a more open appearance around the eyes and improve the contour of the lateral forehead.
Typically performed under local anesthesia with minimal discomfort, a lateral brow lift requires minimal downtime.
Temporal Brow Lift
$5,500 Starting Range
- + Facility Fees ($1,750)
- + Anesthesia (Local $1,500)
Watch a video of a brow lift surgery.
Brow Lift Process
What is the brow lift procedure like?
Before their brow lift consultation, Houston patients will be asked to bring in a photograph of themselves between the ages of 20 and 25. The photograph may help Dr. Athré understand the patient’s earlier brow position and plan an individualized approach. Some patients have a genetic low brow with increased fullness of the upper eyelid area. Functional, anatomical, and aesthetic goals are all reviewed to ensure a positive result. In some cases, eyelid surgery may also be performed to further “open up” the eye area.
Immediately prior to the procedure, the amount of brow lifting and the arch and contour of the eyebrow are specifically marked on the forehead. The procedure elevates the brow by releasing and repositioning selected forehead tissues. Several brow lift techniques exist, and the choice of technique is tailored to each patient after considering the patient’s anatomy, gender, natural brow shape, and background.
Ideal Candidates for a Brow Lift
You may be a candidate for a brow lift if you:
Patients with certain medical conditions, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or those with unrealistic expectations about the results of a brow lift may not be a good fit. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Athré to discuss your goals and determine if this procedure is right for you.
Brow Lift Recovery & Results
Patients typically return home the same day.
Initial recovery typically takes about one week, although healing varies by procedure and patient. Incisions may become less noticeable during the first several weeks as swelling and redness improve. Patients can return to full normal activity near the 5 to 7-day mark. Swelling and bruising resolve to the point where makeup can be worn within 7 days.
Results:
Swelling should largely dissipate within a few weeks, although complete healing and the final results may take several months.
Why Dr. Athré?
Dr. Raghu Athré is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon known for combining technical precision with a highly individualized approach to patient care.
His background in engineering and reconstructive surgery informs an approach focused on facial structure, function, and long-term balance—not only surface-level changes. Every patient experience begins with a thorough consultation designed to understand aesthetic goals, functional concerns, and personal priorities. Dr. Athré takes the time to walk patients through each step and clearly explain all treatment options, both surgical and nonsurgical, so they can make informed decisions with confidence.
Located in Houston’s Heights area on Ella Boulevard, Dr. Athré serves patients throughout Houston and the surrounding region. His approach attracts patients looking for precise, natural-looking results and a clear, well-structured treatment process.
Brow Lift FAQs
See below for frequently asked questions about brow lifts.
Patient Review
“Couldn’t be any more pleased! I came in with a mindset of what I was expecting and they surpassed my expectations! His staff made me feel so comfortable along the way. Dr. Athré was so kind and makes sure you know what’s going on during the procedure. To anyone contemplating a procedure, go in for a consult and just do it!"
