Tulsa Surgical Arts

7322 E 91st St, Tulsa, OK 74133 · 918-392-7900 · tulsasurgicalarts.com

Oklahoma Surgical Arts · 12400 Saint Andrew’s Dr, Oklahoma City, OK 73120 · 405-751-0042

Brow Lift (Forehead Lift)

Plain-language patient guide

What this surgery is

A brow lift raises the brows to a rested, natural position. It treats a heavy brow that pushes down on the upper lids. It can soften deep forehead lines and frown lines.

It is often paired with an eyelid lift for a balanced result.

What happens during it

You get anesthesia (medicine that makes you sleep) or deep sedation.
The surgeon makes small cuts hidden in the hair above the forehead.
A thin camera (an endoscope) may be used to see under the skin through those small cuts.
The tissues that pull the brow down are released.
The brow is lifted and held in its new position with small anchors or stitches.
The cuts are closed. Surgery takes about one to two hours.

Main risks

Every surgery has risks. Here are the main ones for this surgery, in plain words. We will go over all of them with you in person.

A numb or itchy scalp for weeks to months.
Thin hair along the small scars. It usually recovers.
Brows that sit unevenly and may need a touch-up.
A surprised look if lifted too far. Careful planning avoids this.
Bleeding. Some bleeding can need another trip to the operating room.
Infection. Signs are spreading redness, warmth, pus, or fever.
Scars. Every cut leaves a scar. Most fade over a year. Some stay raised or wide.
Numb skin near the cuts. Feeling usually returns over months. Small areas can stay numb.
Blood clots in the legs. A clot can travel to the lungs. That is an emergency.
Problems from anesthesia (the medicine that makes you sleep). These are rare in healthy people.
Uneven results. The two sides of the body are never a perfect match.
The need for another surgery to fix a problem or improve the result.

What recovery is like

First few days: Tight forehead feeling, swelling, and some bruising near the eyes. Keep your head raised.
One week: Clips or stitches in the hairline come out. Most swelling fades.
Two weeks: Back to work and normal daily life for most people.
Six weeks: Full exercise. Scalp feeling keeps improving for months.

When to call us right away

In any emergency, call 911 first.

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department now — do not drive yourself, do not wait:

Chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, or trouble breathing.
Fainting, sudden confusion, or weakness on one side of the body.
You have chest pain or trouble breathing.
One leg swells, or one calf hurts more than the other.
Blood soaks a bandage and does not slow down with gentle pressure.

Otherwise call us at 918-392-7900, day or night, if:

You have a fever of 101.5°F (38.6°C) or higher.
Redness spreads out from a cut, or you see pus.
Your pain gets much worse instead of better.
A wound pulls open, or stitches come apart.

Reviewed and approved by Austin Kluis, MD — 2026-08-23.