A sagging brow can affect your confidence, how others perceive you, and, in some cases, your health. Over time, factors like aging, genetics, and exposure to the sun can cause the skin around your forehead and eyebrows to lose elasticity, giving you a tired or stern look. Fortunately, there are treatments you can undergo to lift the brow area to achieve a more youthful appearance.
In this article, we’ll explore the causes of a sagging brow, discuss popular treatment options, and provide tips for maintaining long-lasting results.
Sagging Brow Causes
A sagging brow, also known as brow ptosis, is caused by factors related to aging and genetics. Over time, the skin and underlying tissues in your forehead lose elasticity, causing your brows to droop. This natural decline is often exacerbated by the weakening of facial muscles and a decrease in collagen and elastin production, which are needed to keep your skin firm.
Additionally, repetitive facial expressions like frowning or raising your eyebrows can create wrinkles and lead to sagging over time. Other factors that cause a sagging brow include sun damage, smoking, and certain medical conditions that can affect the nerves in the brow area. Together, it’s this mix of genetics, lifestyle factors, and natural aging that causes sagging brows.
Sagging Brow Treatment
One of the best sagging brow treatment options is an endoscopic brow lift.
An endoscopic brow lift, sometimes also called an endoscopic forehead lift or simply a brow lift, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that addresses sagging brows, forehead wrinkles, and frown lines. It involves using an endoscope—a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light attached—to lift and reposition the brow area through small incisions.
The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. During the procedure, several small incisions (typically less than an inch long) will be made behind your hairline to keep the scars hidden. Your surgeon will insert the endoscope through one incision to see the underlying tissues and muscles on a monitor. Then, they’ll use specialized tools through the other incisions to lift and reposition your brow tissue. Excess skin may also be trimmed.
Once your brows have been repositioned, your surgeon will secure them in their new, elevated position using sutures. Your doctor will close the incisions, and a bandage may be applied. From start to finish, the procedure usually takes one to two hours.
What are the Benefits of a Brow Lift?
There are many benefits to undergoing sagging brow treatment, especially for people who want a minimally invasive way to fix sagging brows and frown lines. Here, we cover a few of the main benefits our patients see when they undergo a brow lift at our center.
Minimally Invasive
During your sagging brow procedure, we use small incisions hidden within the hairline that give you minimal and inconspicuous scars. Our minimally invasive approach lowers the risk of complications like bleeding or nerve damage, and it also means there is less tissue disruption compared to other brow lift techniques.
Our smaller incisions and less invasive techniques result in reduced downtime compared to traditional brow lifts. Most of our patients are able to return to work and normal activities within one to two weeks.
Natural-Looking Results
Our procedure gives you a subtle and natural lift, avoiding the “overly pulled” appearance that can happen with more invasive procedures. We also make sure your brows and forehead allow you to keep your natural facial expressions.
Smoother Forehead and Reduced Wrinkles
Our endoscopic brow lift procedure softens horizontal forehead lines and vertical frown lines (the “11s” between the eyebrows). This gives our patients a smoother, more youthful appearance.
Long-Lasting Results
Our clinic offers brow lifts with results that typically last several years or longer, especially when combined with a healthy lifestyle and good skincare.
Improved Self-Confidence
Undergoing a brow lift will reverse visible signs of aging in your face, helping you feel more refreshed and confident in your appearance. An endoscopic brow lift is suitable for a wide range of ages, from younger patients looking for a preventive solution to older individuals who want to fix established signs of aging.
Recovery from Sagging Brow Procedures
We recommend endoscopic brow lifts for patients who want to rejuvenate their appearance with less downtime. This is because recovery after a brow lift is typically faster and less invasive compared to other procedures.
Here, we break down what you can expect during the recovery process.
First 1-3 Days
Right after your procedure, you can expect mild to moderate swelling and bruising around the forehead and eyes. This should subside over the first week. You may also have some tightness, mild pain, or tenderness in the forehead area. Over-the-counter medication can help manage discomfort.
First Week
During the first week, you should keep your head elevated (even while sleeping) to reduce swelling. Avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, or bending over, as these can increase swelling or pressure in the surgical area. If stitches were used, these are usually removed within 7-10 days after the procedure.
Week 2-3
Most swelling and bruising should significantly improve during this time. Many patients can return to non-physical jobs within 1-2 weeks.
First Month
Over the next three to four weeks, you’ll be able to gradually resume light exercise but should avoid high-impact activities until you’re fully cleared. The small incisions hidden within your hairline will continue to heal and fade over time. You can use recommended scar treatments if necessary. It’s also important to protect your skin from direct sunlight with sunscreen and hats to promote healing and prevent discoloration.
Learn More About Sagging Brow Procedures
Achieving a lifted, youthful brow has never been more accessible thanks to treatments like endoscopic brow lifts. At the Center for Cosmetic and Laser Surgery located in Naperville, IL, we love helping our patients feel more confident in their skin. Schedule a consultation with our experienced specialists today to explore your options and take the first step toward the new you.
