A refreshed, alert brow — without looking "done."
Brow lift surgery, also known as a browplasty or forehead lift, surgically corrects a heavy, sagging brow and softens deep forehead creases, restoring a more youthful, alert look to the upper face. Dr. Kim performs brow lift surgery on both women and men, and often combines it with wrinkle fillers and relaxers for a softer, more complete result. This page covers surgical brow lift. If you're looking for an injectable approach instead, see our nonsurgical brow lift page.
A heavy or "angry" looking brow isn't just about skin — it's the result of specific muscles and support structures shifting over time.
The frontalis is the muscle that elevates the brow. As it weakens and the tissue above it loses elasticity, the brow gradually descends, often lowest at the outer corners — creating a tired or sleepy appearance even when well-rested.
These smaller muscles between the brows pull them downward and inward, creating the vertical "11" lines and a furrowed look that can read as anger or worry even at rest.
Sun exposure and age reduce the forehead skin's elasticity, allowing horizontal creases to deepen and the brow-forehead unit to settle lower on the underlying bone.
Several surgical approaches exist, and Dr. Kim selects — or combines — techniques based on your hairline, the amount of excess skin, and your goals:
A meaningful part of what makes a brow lift's results durable is that Dr. Kim doesn't simply pull and tighten the skin — he repositions and, where appropriate, adjusts the underlying frontalis, corrugator, and procerus muscles themselves. Addressing the muscular cause of brow descent and glabellar furrowing, rather than skin tension alone, is part of why surgical results tend to last significantly longer than injectable alternatives.
Brow lift surgery is generally appropriate for patients between roughly 35 and 65 who have visible brow descent, deep forehead lines, or glabellar furrowing that doesn't resolve with a relaxed expression.
One of the most common points of confusion patients bring to consultation is whether they need a brow lift, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), or both. A heavy brow can create the visual effect of "hooded" upper eyelids even when the eyelid skin itself is not significantly excessive — correcting only the eyelids in that situation won't fully resolve the heaviness, since the brow itself hasn't been repositioned. Dr. Kim will examine your brow position and eyelid skin separately at consultation to determine which structure — or combination — is actually responsible for what you're seeing, and the two procedures are frequently combined in a single surgery when both are contributing.
Recovery varies by technique — endoscopic and temporal approaches generally involve less swelling and discomfort than the traditional open approach. There's an on-call physician during off-hours, and every surgical patient has direct access to the surgeon's personal cell phone for surgery-related questions.
Expect swelling and bruising around the brow and sometimes the eyes. Dr. Kim recommends sleeping upright for 3–4 nights, and cold compresses help reduce inflammation. Avoid activities or movements that put stress on the face.
Sutures or staples are typically removed within the first week, depending on technique. Some temporary numbness, tightness, or itching across the scalp and forehead is normal as sensory nerves recover, and can persist for several weeks to a few months.
The typical overall recovery window is around 2–3 weeks. Results are often visible right away, with a softer, more alert look and a noticeable reduction in fine lines and sagging in the upper face as swelling fully resolves.
Cost varies based on the technique used, anesthesia, and facility fees. Dr. Kim will create a personalized treatment plan at consultation and provide a cost estimate, along with payment options and low-interest financing to help make surgery more affordable. It's worth prioritizing an experienced surgeon over the lowest price when comparing options.
This depends on your specific goals and where excess skin and laxity are actually present. Many patients assume they need a facelift when a brow lift is the more appropriate choice, and vice versa. Dr. Kim will listen to your concerns at consultation and help you determine which treatment — or combination — will actually address them.
Injectable ("chemical") brow lift techniques can offer subtle, temporary improvement, but won't provide the same lasting, significant correction as surgery. Dr. Kim will discuss both nonsurgical and surgical options with you at consultation so you understand the trade-offs. See our nonsurgical brow lift page for more detail on the injectable approach.
Because Dr. Kim's technique repositions the underlying muscle rather than relying on skin tension alone, surgical brow lift results are considerably more durable than injectable alternatives — commonly lasting a decade or longer, though individual results vary.
Dr. Kim's goal is a refreshed, alert appearance — not an overly tight or surprised look. He focuses on removing excess skin and smoothing the remaining tissue while preserving natural facial expression and a brow position that looks like you, only rested.
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