A brow lift in New York City raises a sagging forehead and eyebrow position, reduces upper eyelid hooding, softens horizontal forehead creases, and restores a more rested appearance. The endoscopic approach uses three to five small incisions hidden within the hairline and a micro camera to reposition the deeper tissue, resulting in less visible scarring and a faster recovery than the traditional coronal technique.
Most patients are back to work within 7 to 10 days, and results typically last for a decade or longer. Surgery generally takes one to two hours and is performed on an outpatient basis, so you go home the same day.
As we age, our foreheads drop, causing hooding of the upper eyelids. It is important to emphasize that hooding of the upper eyelids may not be caused by excess upper eyelid skin but may indeed be caused by a sagging upper forehead.
A forehead lift restores the brow to a more balanced position with the rest of your face.
The procedure will not make you look surprised. Your forehead creases smooth out, which gives you a more relaxed and energetic look. Best of all, the restored eyebrow position gives you a natural appearance that truly reflects the way you feel.
These browlift surgery before-and-after pictures are of actual patients from Dr. Kopelman. They will help you to set realistic goals for your own surgical outcome. Click on a patient to learn more about their eyelift surgery.
“Thank you for the wonderful results of my browlift and eyelift. I can truly say that when I look in the mirror, I now look as good as I feel. I was surprised the recovery was easier than I thought it would be. I can’t say enough about the kindness and professionalism you and your staff showed throughout the entire process.”
~ Annie L. ~
The brow lift technique we recommend depends on the anatomy and concerns of each individual patient. Eyebrow position shapes expression more than almost any other feature of the upper face, which is why the evaluation begins there rather than with the eyelid skin alone.
When you meet with the doctor for a consultation, his first priority will be to develop a strategy to achieve a great outcome for you. It is very common to combine forehead surgery with other procedures such as eyelid surgery or a facelift. Dr. Kopelman will craft the best treatment plan for you to help you achieve optimal cosmetic results.
Ideal Browlift Candidate
Browlift Benefits
Browlift Techniques
An eyebrow lift raises the brow, brightens the eyes, creates facial balance, and boosts your confidence.
An endoscopic brow lift is our preferred method. It involves minimally invasive incisions and is performed under anesthesia. Small incisions are hidden in the hairline, and using a micro camera called an endoscope, the surgeon elevates and re-suspends the deeper brow tissue.
We prefer this approach to a coronal lift because it requires fewer, shorter incisions, produces less scarring, and allows for a faster healing time. Surgery typically lasts one to two hours, or longer when combined with eyelid surgery or a facelift. It is performed on an outpatient basis, so you return home the same day with a companion.
Dr. Kopelman prefers this procedure to get the best brow lift results rather than a coronal browlift because of the fewer incisions needed, decreased scarring, and faster healing time.
Not every forehead needs the same approach. The table below outlines the three most commonly used techniques and where each fits.
| Technique | Incision Approach | Best Suited For | Typical Return to Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endoscopic | Three to five short incisions concealed inside the hairline, guided by a micro camera | Mild to moderate brow descent with forehead lines; the most commonly performed option | 7 to 10 days |
| Temporal (lateral) | Two small incisions within the hairline above the tail of the brow | Outer brow heaviness and lateral eyelid hooding, with little central forehead change needed | 5 to 7 days |
| Coronal | A longer incision running across the scalp behind the hairline | Advanced brow droop with deep forehead furrows, where maximum exposure is required | 10 to 14 days |
Most patients describe the recovery as easier than expected. Discomfort is usually mild and controlled with oral medication, and the swelling that does occur is concentrated in the forehead and around the eyes during the first few days.
Sutures placed within the hairline are removed at the office roughly seven to ten days after surgery. Because the incisions sit behind the hairline, they are not visible once healed.
| Timeframe | What to Expect | Activity Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1 to 3 | Peak swelling and bruising; a small drain placed during surgery is removed the following day | Rest with the head elevated; cold compresses; no bending or lifting |
| Days 4 to 7 | Swelling begins to settle; bruising starts to fade and can be covered with makeup once cleared | Light walking; short outings; continue avoiding strenuous effort |
| Days 7 to 10 | Sutures removed at the office; most patients feel presentable | Return to desk work for most patients; light cardio may be cleared |
| Weeks 2 to 3 | Residual swelling and some scalp numbness or tightness, both of which resolve | Gradual return to strenuous exercise once cleared at follow-up |
| Months 1 to 3 | Final contour settles as the last of the swelling resolves; sensation normalizes | Full activity; consistent sun protection to preserve the result |
To reduce swelling and bruising, blood-thinning medications and supplements are stopped two weeks before surgery, and arnica montana is provided beforehand. A tiny drain placed beneath the skin during the operation clears any blood-tinged fluid overnight and is removed the next day.
Some patients benefit from eyebrow surgery alone. More often, residual upper eyelid skin laxity persists even after the brows are repositioned, which is why a combined brow-eyelid lift is such a common plan in our practice.
When both are indicated, they are performed on the same day under one anesthetic. That approach consolidates the recovery into a single period rather than two, and it lets the surgeon judge eyelid skin removal against the brow’s new position instead of guessing at it.
Forehead surgery also pairs well with a facelift or with laser resurfacing when etched forehead lines will not respond to repositioning alone. Deep static creases sometimes require resurfacing in addition to lifting, and that decision is made during your evaluation.
An endoscopic lift repositions the deeper tissue layers rather than simply tightening skin, which is why the correction holds so well. Most patients maintain a meaningfully improved brow position for 10 to 15 years, and many maintain it longer.
Aging continues after surgery, so the brow will still gradually descend over time from its new starting point. Sun protection, a consistent skincare regimen, and avoiding tobacco all help preserve the outcome.
The upper face is unforgiving. Lift too much, and the result reads as surprised; lift asymmetrically and the difference is visible in every photograph. The judgment involved in deciding how much to raise each side, and where, matters more than the instrument used.
Look for a surgeon who is board-certified, performs eyelid and brow surgery routinely rather than occasionally, and operates in an accredited facility. Ask to see before-and-after photographs of patients whose starting anatomy resembles yours, and ask specifically how the brow position influenced the eyelid plan.
An oculoplastic background adds a further layer, since it means training in the function of the eyelid and orbit, not only its appearance. Vision and eye health remain part of the assessment even when the goal is entirely cosmetic.
Frequently asked questions
about Browlifts
To get a picture of what a brow lift can do for you – lift your eyebrows upward. You can see immediately that gravity has pushed a fold of your eyelid skin downward. By raising your brow you can appreciate that much of the lax upper eyelid skin that you see stems from your sagging eyebrows not your eyelids! Now raise just one eyebrow and compare it to the opposite side-see the difference. At that time of your consultation Dr. Kopelman will discuss the surgical options that apply to your specific individual characteristics and together a plan of action will be devised which will achieve your goals.
Two weeks prior to surgery, Dr. Kopelman will instruct you to stop taking all medications that could potentially thin your blood. These medications include Plavix, Coumadin, Pradaxa, aspirin, Advil, Motrin, Aleve, fish oil, ginko, multiple vitamins, vitamin E, and other drugs. Prior to surgery you will receive a homeopathic drug called arnica montana to reduce post operative swelling. In addition, during the procedure Dr. Kopelman will insert a tiny drain beneath the skin. This will remove blood tinged fluid that may accumulate overnight. The tube will be removed in the office the next day. All these steps will greatly reduce swelling and bruising and allow you to resume your daily activities more quickly.
There are some patients who will benefit from eyebrow surgery alone. However, most patients will still have residual eyelid skin laxity even after the brows are repositioned. At the time of your consultation, Dr. Kopelman will determine if both a brow lift and eyelid surgery will be necessary to reach your aesthetic goals. If both surgeries are indicated then both procedures can be performed on the same day. ​
To schedule a private consultation with Dr. Kopelman, please call the office or request an appointment online.
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