A low or descending brow can make the eyes appear smaller, heavier, or more tired. It may also deepen forehead lines and create additional skin over the upper eyelids.
A brow lift, also called an eyebrow lift or forehead lift, repositions the brow and forehead tissues to improve heaviness in the upper face and create a more rested appearance. The amount of elevation is carefully planned according to the patient’s brow shape, eyelid anatomy, forehead, hairline, and facial proportions.
At The Langsdon Clinic in Germantown, Dr. Phillip R. Langsdon and Dr. Sarah E. Langsdon perform brow lift surgery with close attention to the relationship between the brows, eyelids, and surrounding facial structures.
Dr. Phillip Langsdon has devoted his career to cosmetic surgery of the face, nose, eyes, head, and neck and served as President of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Sarah Langsdon completed a six-year integrated plastic surgery residency at the University of Missouri followed by additional fellowship training in facial aesthetic surgery.
Contact The Langsdon Clinic or call (901) 755-6465 to schedule a personalized consultation for brow lift surgery in Memphis, TN. The Langsdon Clinic proudly welcomes patients from the region and across the country seeking facial plastic surgery.
What Is a Brow Lift?
A brow lift is a facial plastic surgery procedure that raises and supports drooping brow and forehead tissues.
As these tissues descend with age, the eyebrows may sit lower on the orbital rim and create more fullness over the upper eyelids. The change can make the eyes appear tired, stern, or less open.
Depending on the patient’s anatomy, a brow lift may:
- Raise a low or drooping brow
- Reduce heaviness above the upper eyelids
- Improve brow symmetry
- Open the appearance of the eyes
- Soften certain forehead and frown lines
- Refresh a tired or stern expression
We adjust the amount and direction of lift to the individual patient, so the brow remains appropriate for the face.
Schedule Your Facial Plastic Surgery Consultation
Board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Phillip R. Langsdon is the only surgeon in the Mid-South whose practice is limited to and specialized in cosmetic surgery of the face, nose, eyes, head, and neck. A former President of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Langsdon has earned unprecedented recognition and praise as one of the best facelift and rhinoplasty plastic surgeons in America.
He is joined by Dr. Sarah E. Langsdon who completed a six year integrated plastic surgery residency at the University of Missouri and an additional fellowship specializing in facial aesthetic surgery.
How Does Your Brow Position Affect Facial Aging?
Brow position plays an important role in the appearance of the eyes and upper face.
With age, changes in collagen, skin elasticity, soft-tissue support, and muscle activity can allow the brow to descend. Genetics, sun exposure, smoking, and other factors may also affect how quickly these changes develop.
A lower brow can increase upper-eyelid hooding, make the eyes appear more deeply set, and contribute to forehead and frown lines.
Patients who are concerned about “tired-looking eyes” may actually have a combination of brow descent and eyelid aging. Evaluating both areas helps determine the right treatment.
What Can a Brow Lift Improve?
Brow lift surgery addresses drooping tissues of the brow and forehead.
It can improve heaviness above the eyes, restore a more favorable brow position, and soften certain forehead or glabellar lines. A brow lift does not remove excess eyelid skin or fat, correct lower-eyelid bags, or eliminate every wrinkle around the eyes.
Additional treatment may include blepharoplasty, Botox®, laser resurfacing, chemical peels, or other facial rejuvenation procedures depending on the concerns being treated.
Do I Need a Brow Lift or Blepharoplasty?
Brow descent and excess upper-eyelid skin can create a similar appearance.
Blepharoplasty treats excess skin and fullness of the eyelids, while a brow lift repositions tissues of the forehead and eyebrow.
Patients with significant brow descent may see improvement in upper-eyelid heaviness once the brow is elevated. If excess eyelid skin remains, blepharoplasty may also be appropriate.
Dr. Phillip Langsdon or Dr. Sarah Langsdon can evaluate the brow and eyelids together to determine which area is contributing most to the patient’s concerns.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Brow Lift?
Candidates are generally healthy adults who are bothered by a low or drooping brow and have realistic expectations about surgery.
Common concerns include:
- Brows that sit lower than they once did
- Upper-eyelid hooding associated with brow descent
- A tired or stern expression
- Deep forehead or frown lines
- Brow asymmetry
- Difficulty applying eye makeup because of tissue heaviness
Brow shape, forehead height, skin quality, hairline position, muscle activity, and eyelid anatomy are all considered during surgical planning.
Patients who smoke or vape may be asked to stop before and after surgery to support proper healing.
Which Brow Lift Technique Is Right for Me?
Several brow lift techniques are available, and the surgical approach is selected according to the patient’s anatomy and the amount of correction required.
Endoscopic Brow Lift
An endoscopic brow lift uses several small incisions, usually concealed within the hairline. An endoscope allows the surgeon to work beneath the forehead tissues and reposition the brow. Skin is generally not removed with this technique.
Hairline or Behind-the-Hairline Brow Lift
The incision may be placed within or directly in front of the hairline. These techniques allow the surgeon to reposition the brow and, when needed, remove excess skin. Hairline position and forehead height help determine which incision placement is more appropriate.
Direct Brow Lift
A direct brow lift places the incision along the upper border of the eyebrow or within a natural forehead crease. This approach provides direct control over brow elevation and may be useful in selected patients.
Transblepharoplasty Brow Lift
A transblepharoplasty brow lift is performed through an upper-eyelid incision when blepharoplasty is being performed at the same time. This technique may provide additional brow support without a separate forehead incision. Elements of more than one approach may be used when appropriate.
What Happens During Brow Lift Surgery?
The Langsdon Clinic generally performs brow lift surgery in its outpatient surgical center. Twilight sedation supplemented with local anesthesia is commonly used.
The surgeon releases and repositions the brow and forehead tissues through the selected incisions. Some techniques remove excess skin, and deeper sutures may support heavier brow and forehead tissues.
The specific steps depend on the surgical approach, the degree of brow descent, and the patient’s anatomy.
Can a Brow Lift Be Combined with Eyelid Surgery?
Yes. Brow lift and blepharoplasty are frequently considered together because aging often affects both areas.
A brow lift improves brow position and forehead descent, while blepharoplasty treats excess eyelid skin and fullness.
Combining the procedures may provide a more complete improvement when both brow descent and eyelid aging contribute to heaviness around the eyes.
What Other Procedures Can Be Combined With a Brow Lift?
Brow lift surgery can also be performed with other facial rejuvenation treatments, including:
- Blepharoplasty
- Mid-face lift
- Facelift
- Botox® Cosmetic
- Laser skin resurfacing
- Chemical peels
- FaceMD™ skincare
Each treatment addresses a different component of facial aging, so recommendations are based on the areas the patient wants to improve.
What Are Your Non-Surgical Brow Rejuvenation Options?
Patients with mild brow descent or forehead lines may be candidates for nonsurgical treatment.
- Botox® Cosmetic can relax selected muscles that pull the brow downward and may provide a small temporary elevation while softening frown lines.
- Laser resurfacing and chemical peels can improve skin texture and fine lines.
- FaceMD™ skincare can support skin quality as part of an ongoing facial rejuvenation plan.
These treatments do not physically reposition the brow to the degree achieved with surgery.
What Is Brow Lift Recovery Like?
Recovery depends on the surgical technique and whether other procedures are performed at the same time.
A typical recovery may include:
- First several days: Swelling, bruising, tenderness, and tightness are common. Physical activity should remain limited.
- One to two weeks: Swelling and bruising continue to improve. Makeup may usually be used once the incisions have healed sufficiently.
- Following weeks: The brow settles into its new position, and incision lines begin to soften.
- Following months: Scars continue to mature and become less noticeable.
After a direct brow lift, flesh-colored tape may temporarily cover the incision near the eyebrow or forehead. Incisions in the forehead can take time to soften because the skin in this area is relatively thick. Light dermabrasion may occasionally be recommended for a direct brow lift scar.
When Will I See My Brow Lift Results?
The brow is elevated immediately, but swelling and bruising can temporarily affect its position and overall appearance. Most visible signs of surgery improve within a few weeks, and makeup can usually be used after one to two weeks once the incisions have healed sufficiently.
As swelling resolves, the brow settles into a more natural position, and the upper face begins to look more open and rested. Incision lines continue to soften and fade over the following months. After a direct brow lift, the scar may take longer to mature because the forehead skin is relatively thick; in selected cases, light dermabrasion may later be used to improve the appearance of the incision.
How Long Do Brow Lift Results Last?
Brow lift results are long-lasting, although the forehead and surrounding tissues continue to age. Skin quality, genetics, sun exposure, smoking, and other lifestyle factors can influence how the brow changes over time.
Why Choose The Langsdon Clinic for Brow Lift Surgery?
Phillip R. Langsdon, M.D.
Dr. Phillip R. Langsdon is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon whose practice has long focused on cosmetic surgery of the face, nose, eyes, head, and neck.
He served as President of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and has spent decades performing facial rejuvenation procedures and participating in physician education.
His background in facial plastic surgery provides extensive experience evaluating the relationship between the brow, forehead, eyelids, and surrounding facial structures.
Sarah E. Langsdon, M.D.
Dr. Sarah E. Langsdon completed a six-year integrated plastic surgery residency at the University of Missouri followed by additional fellowship training in facial aesthetic surgery.
Her training includes facial rejuvenation procedures involving the brow, eyelids, and surrounding tissues. She approaches surgical planning with close attention to facial proportions, symmetry, and the anatomical changes responsible for each patient’s concerns.
Eyebrow Lift Before and After Images
Schedule a Brow Lift Consultation in Memphis
A well-planned brow lift can change the entire expression of the upper face, opening the eyes, easing heaviness, and restoring a more rested appearance without making the brows look over-elevated or artificial.
At The Langsdon Clinic, Dr. Phillip Langsdon and Dr. Sarah Langsdon take a detailed look at the brow, eyelids, forehead, hairline, and overall facial balance before recommending treatment. That evaluation helps determine whether a brow lift alone, blepharoplasty, or a carefully planned combination of procedures is the right fit.
Schedule a private consultation at The Langsdon Clinic in Germantown to receive a personalized recommendation for upper-face rejuvenation, or call (901) 755-6465.
Memphis Eyebrow Lift FAQs
Various factors will affect your final price tag. Dr. Langsdon can give you an accurate cost estimate after meeting with you in person, evaluating the degree of aging you’re experiencing, and discussing your expectations for your brow lift outcomes.
After your brow lift, you’ll enjoy long-lasting results. Dr. Langsdon uses his skills to raise the brow area to a more youthful position. Following brow lift surgery, your well-rested expression can last a decade or more. While it’s essential to note that a brow lift does not halt the natural aging process, you can extend your results by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, getting plenty of sleep, avoiding stress, eating a balanced diet, and using sun protection. Patients who follow a consistent skincare regimen typically look younger than those who don’t.
Dr. Langsdon will perform your brow lift procedure while you’re anesthetized, so you won’t feel any pain during the surgery itself. Throughout your recovery process, you may feel some discomfort and a sensation of tightness throughout your forehead. If necessary, Dr. Langsdon can prescribe you pain medication, or you can manage any discomfort with over-the-counter solutions like acetaminophen or naproxen sodium or cold compresses.
While a brow lift repositions the forehead and makes you look less fatigued, it doesn’t address excess skin and fat on the upper and lower eyelids. A straightforward procedure called a blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift, will take care of those issues. If your upper eyelid skin is sagging and obscuring your vision, you’re likely an ideal candidate for upper blepharoplasty. If you have puffy undereye bags, you may wish to consider lower eyelid surgery. You can also choose to have an upper and lower blepharoplasty done simultaneously to give your eyes a brighter, more alert, and approachable appearance. During your consultation, ask Dr. Langsdon about combining a brow lift and a blepharoplasty if you want to address eyelid-related issues.
Brow lift technique selection depends on your hairline, brow shape, degree of descent, and skin quality. During your consultation, Dr. Langsdon will explain whether an endoscopic brow lift, coronal brow lift, temporal brow lift, pre‑trichial, direct, or transblepharoplasty approach is best for your anatomy based on your medical history.
Men often experience significant brow descent with age. If you feel your forehead detracts from your appearance, a brow lift can restore a more open, alert appearance without feminizing your face. Dr. Langsdon will tailor his surgical technique to match your hairline and brow shape.
A brow lift can significantly improve the appearance of the upper eye area by relieving the heaviness and hooding that results from a descended brow, making your eyes appear more open and defined without changing their shape or structure. However, it does not remove excess upper eyelid skin or address puffiness and bags beneath the eyes. For patients with both brow descent and eyelid concerns, Dr. Langsdon frequently combines a brow lift with an upper or lower blepharoplasty to achieve a more complete and cohesive rejuvenation of the entire eye area.
Most patients feel comfortable returning to work within a week to 10 days, depending on their healing response. Swelling and bruising or tightness and forehead numbness will continue to improve on their own over the next several weeks as your tissues soften and settle into their long-term position.
We encourage you to take light walks early in recovery to improve your circulation. However, please avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and other activities that raise your blood pressure for about three to four weeks, or until Dr. Langsdon clears you.
Dr. Langsdon takes great care to place brow lift incisions in discreet locations, typically within the hairline or within natural forehead creases, where they are well concealed and fade significantly over time. The specific incision placement will depend on the technique selected – whether endoscopic brow lift, coronal brow lift, temporal brow lift, or another approach – based on your hairline, brow shape, and degree of descent. Most patients find their scars to be virtually undetectable once fully healed with proper scar care, skincare, and sun protection.
There is no “ideal” age for a brow lift or a forehead lift. Candidates range from their 30s to 70s depending on genetics, lifestyle, and how early brow descent develops.
Many patients benefit from a combination approach. Dr. Langsdon will recommend the most effective sequence to achieve a refreshed, cohesive result.
You can usually wash your hair within a few days of surgery using a mild product like baby shampoo. Dr. Langsdon will provide specific instructions based on your incision placement.
A brow lift, also referred to as a forehead lift, is a cosmetic procedure designed to reposition descended brow tissue, smooth forehead lines and furrows, and restore a more open, alert, and youthful appearance to the upper face. As we age, the brow naturally descends due to weakening of the forehead muscles and the effects of gravity, contributing to a tired, stern, or sad expression. Dr. Langsdon uses his expertise to elevate the brow to a more natural, refreshed position that complements your overall facial features.
A brow lift procedure focuses exclusively on the upper third of the face, specifically the forehead, brow position, and glabellar lines between the brows. A facelift, by contrast, addresses sagging in the mid and lower face, including the cheeks, jowls, and jawline. For patients experiencing aging throughout multiple facial zones, Dr. Langsdon may recommend combining a brow lift with a facelift, neck lift, laser skin resurfacing, or other facial rejuvenation procedures to achieve a more balanced, comprehensive result.
Good candidates for brow lift surgery are men and women who are bothered by a heavy, descended brow, deep forehead creases, frown lines between the brows, or an overall tired or angry expression that does not reflect how they actually feel. Candidates should be in good overall health, non-smokers or willing to quit well in advance of surgery, and have realistic expectations for their outcomes. Dr. Langsdon will evaluate your brow position, hairline, skin quality, and degree of descent during your consultation to determine whether a brow lift is the most appropriate approach for your needs.
Most brow lift patients feel comfortable returning to light activity and desk work within one to two weeks. Swelling, bruising, tightness, and temporary forehead numbness are normal during the early recovery period and will continue to improve gradually in the weeks that follow. Strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and exercises that elevate blood pressure should be avoided for three to four weeks, or until Dr. Langsdon clears you. It’s important to rest with the head elevated. While improvement is visible early on, the final result continues to refine as swelling fully resolves over the coming months.
Yes. A brow lift is commonly combined with complementary procedures such as upper or lower blepharoplasty, a facelift, neck lift, fat grafting, or laser skin resurfacing to achieve a more complete facial rejuvenation. Addressing multiple areas of concern in a single surgical session can reduce overall recovery time and produce a more balanced, harmonious result. Dr. Langsdon will discuss which combination approach best aligns with your anatomy and aesthetic goals during your consultation.