Upper facelift
Often, the appearance of tired-looking eyes or hooded eyelids is attributed to excess skin around the eyes. However, when assessing facial rejuvenation, it is essential to consider the upper third of the face as a whole. In many cases, what we perceive as a drooping eyelid is actually the result of a brow descent, which causes downward pressure on the surrounding tissues.
Why is an accurate diagnosis the key to success? Performing blepharoplasty when the real issue is a drooping brow can lead to incomplete or unnatural results, as removing skin without lifting the base may cause the brow to appear closer to the eye, accentuating the appearance of heaviness.
At HC Aesthetic, we assess each case individually. If the brow has descended due to ageing or genetic factors, a brow lift becomes the essential procedure (with or without blepharoplasty) to open up the eye area and restore the original vitality to the face.
When is a brow lift recommended?
The success of a facial rejuvenation lies in identifying the real cause of the tired look. This procedure is the ideal solution when the lowering of the upper facial tissues affects the expression and harmony of the face.
Brow ptosis
Indicated when the brow droops and hides the eyelid. This procedure eliminates the appearance of constant tiredness and heaviness.
Facial asymmetry
Perfect for correcting brows that are at different heights, achieving a balanced, symmetrical and much more harmonious look.
Opening the eye area
Perfect for patients seeking a more open and clearer look without the need to remove excess skin on the eyelids.
Masculine expression
Effective solution for men with heavy or low- set brows who want to achieve a more vital and masculine appearance.
Forehead and brow position
Ideal for patients with a high forehead or very flat brows that require a strategic repositioning of the upper facial third.
Precise diagnosis
When facial descent originates in the forehead and not in the eyelid, a brow lift is the definitive solution.
Brow lift assessment in Marbella
- Anatomy of the eye: we measure the exact position of the brow in relation to the orbital bone and define its ideal shape (whether lifting the tail or the arch).
- Upper third analysis: we assess the forehead (height, wrinkles and elasticity) and the hairline and density of the hair to select the most discreet surgical technique.
- Brow-eyelid harmony: we evaluate the condition of your eyelids (skin quality, under-eye bags and laxity) to determine whether it is advisable to combine the procedure with a blepharoplasty.
- Planning and expectations: we use precision medical photography to explain where the scars will be placed and to define realistic, natural aesthetic goals together.
State-of-the-art techniques for brow rejuvenation
There is no universal method for a brow lift; the choice of technique depends on your facial anatomy, the height of your forehead and your aesthetic goals. At HC Aesthetic, we select the technique that offers the maximum naturalness with the minimum aesthetic footprint.
This is the technique with the greatest millimetric precision, especially recommended in cases of very heavy brows or marked asymmetries (a frequent profile in male patients).
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- Incision: we make a minimal incision just at the upper border of the eyebrow hair
- Procedure: we remove an ellipse of skin and anchor the brow in a higher and more harmonious position.
- Anaesthesia and duration: it is performed under local anaesthesia and sedation in just 60 minutes.
- Advantages: absolute control over the brow shape and height, with a very fast recovery.
- Limitations: the scar is placed close to the brow (it requires good healing capacity and sufficient hair to be properly camouflaged).
This is the ideal option for patients with mild to moderate laxity in the upper third of the brow who are looking for a comprehensive rejuvenation with maximum discretion.
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- Incisions: we make between 2 and 5 tiny incisions hidden within the scalp.
- Procedure: the tissues of the forehead are released and elevated, fixing the brow and its tail in a more youthful position by means of internal sutures.
- Anaesthesia and duration: it is performed under short general anaesthesia or deep sedation, with a surgical time of between 60 and 90 minutes.
- Advantages: allows for an overall improvement of the forehead and brow with minimal scarring and faster recovery.
- Limitations: it offers a more subtle lift than the coronal technique and is not suitable for reducing the height of very high foreheads.
- Variant: we also offer the temporal lift, focused exclusively on raising the tail of the brow to elongate and open up the gaze laterally.
This technique is the most effective for treating pronounced laxity across the entire forehead or when there is a need to correct a very high hairline.
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- Incision: made from ear to ear; it can be placed within the hair (Coronal) or right at the start of the hairline (Pretrichial) to camouflage it within the hair follicles.
- Procedure: forehead and brow tissues are released and tightened, allowing a forehead reduction (hairline advancement) to be performed if the patient wishes to reduce the height of the forehead.
- Anaesthesia and duration: performed under general anaesthesia; the procedure usually lasts between 90 and 120 minutes.
- Advantages: offers the greatest lifting capacity, eliminates deep forehead wrinkles and allows excessively high foreheads to be reduced.
- Limitations: involves a more extensive scar and temporary numbness in the area; it requires a thorough assessment in patients at risk of alopecia.
Can a brow lift be combined with blepharoplasty?
This is often the ideal treatment option. If in addition to a brow descent there is excess skin or under-eye bags, we can perform both procedures in the same surgery.
This allows us to open up and refresh the eye area in a comprehensive fashion without the need to remove excess skin from the eyelid, achieving a much more balanced, natural result with a single recovery period.
What to expect after brow lift surgery
The key to an excellent result lies not only on surgical precision but also on a thorough postoperative follow-up, ensuring a safe recovery and a gradual return to your daily life.
The process is generally comfortable, with any discomfort being easily managed using prescribed medication.
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- Swelling and bruising: these may appear during the first 48-72 hours. They will improve day by day.
- Discomfort / headaches: mild during the first few days (well tolerated with oral analgesics).
- Sutures: following a direct brow lift, sutures are removed after 5-7 days. For endoscopic/coronal lifts, sutures or staples are removed within 7–10 days (depending on the area treated).
- Postoperative care: sleep with your head elevated during the first week. Apply intermittent cold compresses. Wash your hair after 48-72 hours, according to indication. Avoid intense frowning/brow movements during the first week.
- Return to work: 7-10 days (office-based) following a direct brow lift. Slightly longer in the case of a coronal brow lift.
- Physical activity: walking is recommended from the first day. Light cardio at 2-3 weeks. Strength/impact training at 4-6 weeks.
- Results: clearly visible in 2-3 weeks; settling over 3-6 months.
We design each surgical approach to ensure that scars are virtually unnoticeable once healing is complete.
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- Direct brow lift: the scar is placed exactly at the upper border of the brow, camouflaging naturally with the brow hair itself.
- Endoscopic brow lift: the incisions are minimal and completely hidden within the hair, remaining invisible even with updo hairstyles.
- Coronal/Pretrichial brow lift: the incision line is placed within the scalp or right at the hairline (trichophytic technique), allowing the hair to grow through the scar to conceal it.
To ensure optimal healing and an almost imperceptible mark, we establish a care protocol based on gentle hygiene, use of gels or silicone sheets to improve the texture of the skin and application of sun protection for 12 months to prevent pigmentation changes.
After surgery, the use of complementary treatments such as laser therapy may also be considered.
Although brow lift is a safe procedure, as with any intervention, there are associated risks that our medical team rigorously monitors:
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- Haematoma/seroma: haematomas, seromas or slight infections may occur, especially following a direct brow lift.
- Alopecia along the incision edges: there is a minimal risk of hair loss (incisional alopecia) along the edges of the incision, more likely in coronal procedures in predisposed individuals.
- Temporary scalp numbness: it is common to experience temporary numbness of the scalp, particularly following coronal/pretrichial procedures. This improves over time.
- Injury to the frontal branch of the facial nerve: exceptionally, temporary weakness may occur when raising the eyebrow (this usually resolves on its own).
- Harmony and results: we work meticulously to prevent asymmetry or over/under-elevation by means of precise pre-operative markings in the operating theatre. However, it is important to remember that the natural ageing process continues and tissues may present subtle changes over the years.
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Frequently asked questions about brow lift surgery
Restoring a refreshed and vibrant eye appearance often generates specific questions about the techniques and the final result. Here we answer the most common concerns to show you how we achieve a natural and balanced rejuvenation:
The choice depends on your needs. The endoscopic brow lift is the most discreet, as the incisions are minimal and are hidden within the hair. The direct brow lift places the mark at upper border of the brow (ideal for men with dense brows), while the coronal or pretrichial brow lift involves a more extensive scar, but is the only one that allows for deep corrections and reduction of a very high forehead.
Although tissue repositioning offers a very long-lasting and satisfying result, the natural ageing process continues. Over the years, it is normal that the tissue may become slightly saggy, but the benefit of having restored structure remains. Maintaining a healthy skin care routine and healthy habits will help prolong the results of your surgery.
The main objective is to refresh the eye area and to raise the brow to its ideal anatomical position without altering your natural expression or creating a ‘surprised’ appearance. To achieve a full and harmonious opening of the eyes, we often recommend combining the brow lift with a blepharoplasty, precisely adjusting the eyelid for a rejuvenated and balanced face.
With the HC seal
Every detail reflects our commitment to excellence, safety and professionalism. At HC Aesthetic, our exclusive and personalised care transforms each treatment into a unique experience.