FACESURGICAL
Brow Lift in Delafield
A raised brow position and a more open upper face
A brow lift raises drooping eyebrows and reduces horizontal forehead wrinkles, frown lines, and furrows between the brows. The surgery repositions the brow tissue to create a more youthful, rested appearance. Techniques include endoscopic, coronal, and temporal approaches, each suited to different anatomy and aesthetic goals. Brow lifts are often performed alongside blepharoplasty or a facelift. At Consona in Delafield, Wisconsin, the approach is selected from brow position and forehead anatomy.
At a Glance
- ASPS member surgeons performed approximately 13,621 forehead lift procedures in 2024[7]
- Endoscopic brow lift produces median elevations of approximately 2.5 to 2.9 mm at key measurement points[6]
- Initial wound healing typically takes 10 to 14 days, with most patients returning to normal activities within that timeframe
Overview
A brow lift addresses sagging eyebrows, horizontal forehead creases, and vertical frown lines between the eyebrows. Gravity, sun exposure, and natural aging can cause the brow to descend over time, creating a tired or angry expression the person does not feel. Surgery raises the brow to a more youthful position and smooths forehead wrinkles.
Several techniques are available. An endoscopic brow lift uses small incisions hidden behind the hairline and a tiny camera to guide tissue adjustment. A coronal lift uses a longer incision extending from ear to ear across the top of the scalp. The temporal, or anterior hairline, approach places incisions along the hairline and can be useful for patients with high foreheads. Hair pattern, forehead height, and the amount of correction needed determine which approach fits.
Dr. Boehm offers two brow lift operations. His standard surgical approach is the temporal brow lift. He also performs a direct brow lift in the office rather than the operating room, using an incision at the brow instead of behind the hairline. The choice between them depends on hairline position, forehead height, and how much correction the brow needs.
What to expect
- A consultation to discuss your aesthetic goals, review medical history, and determine the most appropriate surgical technique
- Preoperative photographs and facial analysis to plan brow positioning
- Administration of intravenous sedation or general anesthesia
- Incisions are made according to the chosen technique (endoscopic, coronal, or temporal)
- For endoscopic approaches, a small camera is inserted to visualize the tissue planes
- Forehead tissues are elevated from the underlying periosteum
- Muscles contributing to frown lines may be weakened or partially released
- The brow is repositioned and secured at the desired height
- Excess skin is trimmed if necessary (coronal or hairline techniques)
- Incisions are closed with sutures, skin adhesives, or surgical clips
- A light dressing or bandage is applied to the forehead
How a brow lift works
- The forehead structures are reached through incisions placed within or near the hairline, depending on the technique. Forehead tissues are carefully elevated from the underlying bone, allowing muscles to be repositioned and excess tissue contributing to wrinkles and brow sagging to be removed.
- The corrugator supercilii and procerus muscles, which contribute to frown lines, may be weakened or partially released to reduce dynamic wrinkling. The brow is then raised and secured at the planned height with sutures, small fixation devices, or absorbable anchors. The skin is redraped and the incisions are closed.
- For Dr. Boehm’s standard temporal brow lift, the incisions sit within the hairline at the temples. The lift is directed toward the outer brow, where descent tends to become visible first.
- The in-office direct brow lift skips the hairline. Skin is removed immediately above the eyebrow, and the brow is raised without working back across the forehead. It is a shorter procedure, with a scar at the upper brow margin rather than within the hairline.
When it's recommended
- Sagging or drooping eyebrows that create a tired or angry appearance
- Horizontal wrinkle lines across the forehead
- Vertical frown lines (glabellar lines) between the eyebrows
- Furrows or wrinkles on the bridge of the nose
- Upper eyelid hooding caused by low brow position (secondary dermatochalasis)
- Brow asymmetry
Is a brow lift right for you?
Reach out to learn more from Dr. Lucas Boehm.
Concerns it addresses
Concern
Learn moreFacial Aging
Facial aging is a progressive, multifactorial process involving changes to the skin, soft tissue, and underlying bone structure of the…
Concern
Learn moreBrow Ptosis
Brow ptosis is the descent of one or both eyebrows from their normal anatomical position to a lower level on the forehead. It most often…
Recovery & aftercare
- Initial wound healing typically takes 10 to 14 days, during which sutures or clips are removed
- Swelling and bruising around the forehead and eyes are common in the first 1 to 2 weeks
- Most patients return to work and normal activity within 10 to 14 days
- Vigorous physical activity and heavy lifting are typically avoided for several weeks
- Complete healing and final results may take several months as residual swelling resolves
- Incision lines continue to fade and refine over the following months
Alternatives
- Botox or other neuromodulators for temporary brow elevation and wrinkle reduction
- Dermal fillers to restore volume and improve brow contour
- Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) if the primary concern is upper eyelid heaviness
- Laser skin resurfacing for surface-level wrinkles
- Thread lift for modest, temporary brow elevation
Related treatments
How much does a brow lift cost?
A brow lift at Consona with Dr. Boehm costs around $5,800. The exact amount depends on your unique goals and treatment needs. Schedule a consultation today to learn more and receive a personalized quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
- A brow lift is surgery that raises drooping eyebrows and smooths forehead wrinkles. It repositions the brow to a more youthful height and can reduce frown lines between the eyebrows. Available techniques include endoscopic, coronal, and temporal approaches.
- The procedure is performed under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, so patients typically do not feel pain during surgery. Mild to moderate discomfort, tightness, and forehead numbness are common early in recovery and can generally be managed with prescribed medication.
- A brow lift is generally considered safe when performed by a board-certified surgeon experienced in facial procedures. It still carries potential surgical risks, which are listed in the risks section on this page.
- Results can last for many years, although natural aging continues. Sun exposure, genetics, and skin quality affect long-term durability. Some patients may consider revision surgery after several years.
- Initial wound healing takes approximately 10 to 14 days, and most patients return to work within that period. Swelling and bruising gradually improve over the first few weeks. Complete healing and the final result may take several months.
- People with uncontrolled medical conditions, an active infection near the surgical site, or a bleeding disorder may not be suitable candidates. Individual health and aesthetic goals are reviewed during consultation to determine whether a brow lift is appropriate.
- He performs both, and they are different operations. The temporal brow lift is his standard surgical approach, with incisions placed within the hairline at the temples. The direct brow lift is performed in the office through an incision at the eyebrow itself. It is a shorter, simpler procedure, but the scar sits at the brow rather than being hidden in the hair. Hairline position, forehead height, and the correction needed determine which approach fits.
- Yes. The two procedures are frequently planned together because a low brow and excess upper eyelid skin can look similar from the outside. Raising the brow changes how much eyelid skin actually needs to be removed. Dr. Boehm performs both, and his published eyelid surgery cases include work completed alongside a brow lift. Assessing the brow and eyelids together avoids using eyelid surgery to correct heaviness that begins higher on the face.
- The $5,800 ballpark applies to the temporal brow lift performed in the operating room. The shorter, in-office direct brow lift is priced lower. The final quote depends on which operation the brow needs and whether eyelid surgery is performed in the same sitting, since blepharoplasty is quoted separately. The two brow lifts appear as separate procedures on Consona’s pricing sheet, so the direct lift is not a discounted version of the temporal lift.
Brow Lift risks & candidacy
Who should avoid this
- Uncontrolled medical conditions that increase surgical risk
- Active infection at or near the surgical site
- Bleeding disorders or use of anticoagulant medications that cannot be paused
- Unrealistic expectations regarding surgical outcomes
- History of poor wound healing or keloid formation in the scalp area
Possible risks
- Temporary numbness or altered sensation along the forehead and scalp
- Swelling and bruising around the forehead and eyes
- Hematoma (collection of blood under the skin) requiring drainage
- Infection at the incision sites
- Visible scarring, particularly with hairline or direct approaches
- Temporary or rarely permanent hair loss near the incisions
- Brow asymmetry requiring revision
- Injury to branches of the facial nerve, which may cause temporary muscle weakness
- Overcorrection or undercorrection of brow position
Your surgeon
Care that respects what makes you, you.
Dr. Lucas Boehm is a Wisconsin native, board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon and the founder of Consona Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics. His practice is dedicated exclusively to aesthetic surgery of the face, nose, breast, and body, with particular expertise in deep plane facelifts, rhinoplasty, and aesthetic breast surgery. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and completed his plastic surgery residency there as well. He then pursued an Aesthetic Society-endorsed fellowship in aesthetic surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Bradley Calobrace in Louisville, Kentucky. Known for meticulous attention to detail, he approaches each case with precision and intention. His philosophy emphasizes harmony and balance – enhancing what is already beautiful while ensuring every change feels natural, thoughtful, and uniquely you.
- Board-certified
- Am. Board of Plastic Surgery
- Fellowship-trained
- Aesthetic surgery
- 12+ years
- In practice
Sources & references
This article draws on 7 sources, including peer-reviewed research, leading medical institutions.
Government & research
Medical institutions
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lucas Boehm, MD · Last reviewed: 2026-09-12