Forehead lift surgery is a powerful and effective cosmetic procedure designed to rejuvenate the upper face by targeting sagging forehead skin, deep wrinkles, and muscular laxity. Often combined with brow lift surgery, this technique offers a more youthful, refreshed, and natural appearance to patients who experience visible signs of aging or tension in the forehead region.
A forehead lift, also referred to as an upper face lift or forehead rejuvenation, is performed to tighten and elevate the skin and underlying tissues of the forehead. The procedure smooths out deep horizontal lines, reduces forehead sagging, and provides a lifting effect that can also subtly elevate the eyebrows.
While brow lift and forehead lift are frequently performed together, forehead lift surgery focuses primarily on enhancing the forehead zone, making it especially effective for patients whose concerns lie in wrinkles, sagging, and skin laxity above the brows.
Smooths deep horizontal forehead lines (static wrinkles)
Lifts sagging forehead tissue and skin
Helps elevate drooping eyebrows indirectly
Improves overall upper facial symmetry
Enhances facial expressions by reducing a tired or stressed appearance
Can be customized to correct asymmetry or muscle tension
Although they share similar techniques and outcomes, the key difference lies in the area of focus:
| Aspect | Forehead Lift | Brow Lift |
|---|---|---|
| Focus Area | Forehead skin and muscles | Eyebrow position and symmetry |
| Goal | Reduce wrinkles and sagging in the forehead | Elevate and reshape the eyebrows |
| Common Patients | Aging concerns, forehead lines, tension headaches | Facial feminization, low brow position, asymmetry |
| Effect on Brows | Indirect elevation | Direct reshaping |
For comprehensive upper facial rejuvenation, both surgeries can be combined during the same session.
Individuals with deep horizontal forehead wrinkles
Patients with drooping forehead skin or a heavy, tired look
People suffering from muscular tension in the forehead region
Anyone who wants to achieve a smoother, refreshed appearance
Two main approaches are used depending on hairline position and desired results:
Ideal for patients with a normal or high hairline
Access through a coronal incision behind the hairline
Allows full release and lifting of the forehead skin and muscles
Does not alter the frontal hairline position
Enables direct modification of frown muscles (procerus & corrugator)
Recommended for patients with a low hairline
Minimally invasive: performed via 3 small incisions within the scalp
Lifts the forehead and anterior hairline upward
Less invasive with faster recovery time
One of the most artistic aspects of forehead lift surgery is its ability to customize lifting direction and tension. For example:
A lateral lift (slanted upwards to the sides) provides a natural, youthful slope
Precision muscle modification reduces angry or worried expressions
Each procedure is personalized based on the patient’s anatomy and goals
For transgender women or anyone undergoing facial feminization, the forehead lift is often combined with brow ridge reduction and brow reshaping. This creates a softer, more feminine appearance by elevating the brows and smoothing the masculine bony contour.
Forehead lift surgery is more than just a cosmetic procedure — it’s a rejuvenation technique that restores balance, smoothness, and youthfulness to the upper third of the face. Whether performed alone or in combination with a brow lift, this surgery can deliver stunning and natural-looking results when tailored to your individual facial structure.
