Short Incision Eyebrow Lift

Short incision brow lift is a surgical procedure that elevates the drooping brow to its position above the orbital rim through a short incision located just above the eyebrow. Excess skin is removed, and the tissue is secured to the periosteum. The result is a lighter appearance of the eyes, elimination of excess skin at the outer corners, and a less melancholic facial expression.

Medically reviewed by BS.Ths.CKII Nguyễn Xuân Vũ — BonBoz Clinic

Mechanism

Drooping eyebrows are caused by the soft tissue of the forehead and temples sagging with age, pulling the eyebrows down below the bony ridge and pressing on the upper eyelid skin. The short eyebrow lift technique targets the eyebrow directly: an incision is made along the upper edge of the eyebrow, a measured strip of excess skin and tissue is removed, and the soft tissue of the eyebrow is lifted and sutured to the frontal bone at a new position. The incision line is mostly concealed by the eyebrow. Some techniques utilize collagen threads to assist in fixation and healing.

Why perform it before or alongside eyelid surgery?

If the upper eyelid skin is removed while the eyebrow is still drooping, the incision will be closed with the skin from the eyebrow, causing the eyebrow to drop lower — shortening the distance between the eyelid and eyebrow, making the eyes appear heavier after swelling subsides. The correct order is to reposition the eyebrow first, then remove the actual excess eyelid skin (which is usually less than initially anticipated).

Indications

Mild to moderate drooping of the eyebrow (especially the tail); sagging skin at the outer corners of the eyes; individuals who need to raise their forehead to open their eyes, creating deep forehead lines; heavy upper eyelids with a test showing that the eyelid skin is significantly less excessive when the eyebrow is held up. Severe drooping of the entire eyebrow along with significant forehead sagging may require a technique involving lifting through the hairline or endoscopy — a separate consultation with the doctor is advised.

Risks to be aware of

Scarring near the eyebrow may appear pink for 1–3 months (more noticeable in individuals with sparse eyebrows), temporary numbness or itching of the forehead skin, the eyebrow may be higher than expected for the first few weeks, asymmetry between the two sides, the eyebrow may sag again with age, hematoma, infection (rare), and very rarely, damage to the branches of the forehead motor nerve.

At BonBoz

The plastic surgeon measures the position of the eyebrow relative to the bony ridge, performs a test to hold the eyebrow to differentiate between the contributions of the eyebrow and the eyelid skin, and checks the eyelid lifting muscle. Options include a simple short eyebrow lift or combining it with the removal of excess eyelid skin in the same procedure. The examining doctor is the one performing the surgery; the incision location is discussed based on your eyebrow thickness, and the designed lift is sufficient to maintain a natural appearance, with the doctor clearly stating that the eyebrow may sag again over time.

Technique variants

Mini 5D Brow Lift

A short incision near the tail of the eyebrow, addressing mild to moderate sagging skin and brow droop.

BonBoz Brow Lift

A short incision close to the eyebrow, utilizing collagen threads for support and healing; suitable for mild skin laxity.

Perfect Brow

Combines brow lifting, fat removal, and suturing within the skin; offers a more comprehensive solution for brow aging.

How is it performed?

Local anesthesia (with possible mild sedation). The doctor marks the incision line just above the eyebrow and the strip of skin to be removed according to the measured lift level, incises, and dissects the soft tissue of the brow upwards, lifts, and sutures the tissue to the new position on the frontal bone (collagen thread may be used for support), removes the excess skin, sutures the dermis, and closes the skin with fine sutures. The procedure takes 60–90 minutes for both sides; eyelid surgery may be performed if indicated in the same session.

Before the procedure

Measure the eyebrow position and perform the eyebrow holding test. Check the eyelid elevator muscle and take standardized photos. Discontinue anticoagulants, alcohol, and smoking as instructed. Avoid trimming eyebrows before surgery to help the doctor determine the incision line.

After the procedure

Apply a cold compress for 48–72 hours and keep your head elevated. Take the prescribed medication and have the stitches removed on day 7. Expect swelling and bruising for 1–2 weeks, and note that your eyebrows may be slightly elevated in the first few weeks before settling into position. Use sunscreen and scar gel. Schedule follow-up appointments on day 7, month 1, and month 3.

Possible risks — your doctor explains them before treatment

Scarring near the eyebrows may appear pink for 1–3 months, more noticeable if the eyebrows are sparse.
Temporary numbness and itching on the forehead.
The eyebrow arch may be higher than expected in the first few weeks.
Asymmetry between the two sides.
Drooping may occur with aging.
Hematoma and infection (rare).
Damage to the frontal nerve branch (very rare).

Who should NOT have this?

The eyebrow is in a normal position, with only excess skin present on the eyelid, indicating that eyelid surgery is sufficient. However, there is severe sagging of the entire eyebrow accompanied by significant forehead laxity, which requires different techniques. Additionally, the eyebrows are too sparse to conceal the incision line and do not tolerate scarring well, showing a pronounced tendency for hypertrophic scarring. Furthermore, there are uncontrolled internal medical conditions and coagulation disorders present.

BS.Ths.CKII Nguyễn Xuân Vũ

Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery

Master of Medicine and Pharmacy — Specialist Level I Surgical Resident, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy (2014–2017)
Specialist Level II Doctor in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery
Specialist Level I in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery — Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine; Specialist Level II in Healthcare Management — University of Public Health
Specialty Certificate in Orthopedics and Traumatology and Certificate in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery (2017)
Medical Practice License No.: 007827/ĐL-CCHN — Issued by Dak Lak Province Department of Health on 04/12/2017
Over 15 years of experience, more than 20,000 surgeries
Specialist Level II Doctor in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery at Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Dermatology (2020–present); previously Lead surgeon for major and minor procedures at Sao Han Hospital (2018–2020)
Member of international humanitarian organizations Operation Smile and ReSurge International — performing pro bono reconstructive surgeries for patients with congenital deformities, cleft lip, cleft palate, and ptosis (2022–present)
Affiliated with Alcon Pharmaceutical (USA)
Member of the Korean College of Cosmetic Surgery (KCCS)
Medical Director of BonBoz Clinic

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Frequently asked questions

Will the brow lift scar be visible?

The incision is made close to the upper brow, mostly concealed by the brow itself; it appears pink for 1–3 months before fading. If the brow is sparse, discuss the incision location with the doctor.

How long will the results last?

For many years, but due to ongoing aging, the brow may gradually sag again. The doctor does not guarantee a fixed number of years.

Will there be any lifting after eye surgery?

In the first few weeks, the brow may appear higher than expected due to swelling and fixation, then it will settle back to its natural position; the lift is designed to be subtle to avoid a surprised look.

Will the forehead numbness go away after surgery?

Mild numbness in the forehead and scalp for a few weeks to a few months is common and will gradually improve.

Can Botox be used as an alternative to brow lifting?

Botox relaxes the lower brow muscles for a slight lift of the brow tail, lasting temporarily for 3–4 months, but it does not remove excess skin. Significant sagging requires a lift.

Is it necessary to perform eyelid surgery as well?

Only if, after repositioning the brow, there is still excess skin on the upper eyelid — a test during the consultation will help determine this.

How long until I can return to work?

Office work can be resumed after 7–10 days; avoid bending over and heavy exercise for 3 weeks.

Can uneven brows be corrected?

Yes; the doctor can elevate each side to different levels to balance them, based on measurements and standardized photos.