The brow lift at a glance
- Duration1 hour
- AnaesthesiaGeneral or local with sedation
- Hospital stayDay surgery or 1 night
- Social downtime15 days
- How long the result lasts4 to 12 years
- Price€5,000 to €10,000
The brow lift raises drooping eyebrows, which give a tired or sad look, and softens horizontal forehead lines and frown lines. It is performed endoscopically (3 to 5 incisions of 1 cm in the hair, with no skin removed) or by the coronal approach (one continuous incision in the hair, with removal of excess skin). The operation takes 1 hour, under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation, as day surgery or with one night’s stay at Clinique Oxford in Cannes. Social downtime is 15 days; the final result is reached at 6 months and lasts 4 to 12 years.
Price: €5,000 to €10,000, on a written quote after a consultation (€100).
Who is it for?
The brow lift treats ageing of the upper third of the face, usually from the age of 40:
- low eyebrows, which give a tired or sad appearance;
- deep horizontal forehead lines;
- marked frown lines;
- a short forehead, in young adults.
If the upper eyelid is heavy while the eyebrow is well positioned, an upper blepharoplasty is indicated; if only the tail of the eyebrow droops, a temporal lift may be enough. Dr Médard de Chardon assesses which applies at consultation.
Before: low eyebrows, horizontal forehead lines and frown lines. The arrows show the direction of the lift.
Endoscopic, coronal or botulinum toxin?
| Endoscopic | Coronal | Botulinum toxin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scar | 3 to 5 incisions of 1 cm in the hair | One continuous incision in the hair | None |
| Skin | Fully preserved | Excess skin removed | — |
| Indication | Drooping eyebrows, little excess skin | Significant excess skin, deep lines | Limited indication, forehead and frown lines |
| Social downtime | 15 days | 15 days | None |
| How long the result lasts | 4 to 12 years | 4 to 12 years | 2 to 6 months |
Dr Médard de Chardon determines at consultation the technique suited to your forehead and your eyes. When the indication is limited, botulinum toxin injections may be enough.
The two approaches to the brow lift
The endoscopic approach uses 3 to 5 incisions of 1 cm in the hair and preserves all the skin. The coronal approach uses one continuous incision in the hair, from one ear to the other, and removes excess skin.
The two approaches
The two approaches: On the left, the endoscopic approach; on the right, the coronal approach. In both cases, the incisions are hidden in the hair.
How does the operation take place?
- ConsultationAt the practice, 101 rue d’Antibes, Cannes (€100): analysis of the forehead and eyes, choice of technique, information on the risks, written quote. Statutory 15-day cooling-off period.
- Anaesthetic consultationWith an anaesthetist.
- OperationAt Clinique Oxford in Cannes, under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation, lasting 1 hour, as day surgery or with one night’s stay.
- TechniqueThe muscles that pull the eyebrows down and deepen the lines are weakened; the skin and deep tissues are raised and then fixed to the bone. With the coronal approach, excess skin is removed. No dressing, no stitches to remove.
- Follow-upCheck-up consultations on day 7, day 15 and at 1, 3 and 6 months.
What is the recovery like?
- Swelling: 7 to 15 days, mainly during the first 24 to 48 hours.
- Bruising: 7 to 15 days.
- Social life: 15 days of social downtime.
- Work and sport: 15 days.
- Result visible immediately, final at 6 months. It can be subtle or more marked, depending on your face and the goals agreed at consultation.
Where will you be?
14 days after the procedure
What are the risks?
Like any surgery, the brow lift carries risks, which are rare and explained at consultation:
- haematoma;
- temporary numbness of the forehead and scalp;
- localised hair loss along the scars;
- asymmetry of the eyebrows;
- injury to the frontal branch of the facial nerve, exceptional and usually temporary.
Choosing a qualified, experienced and reputable surgeon reduces these risks, and can even eliminate some of them.
Which procedures is it combined with?
The brow lift can be combined with a temporal lift, an upper blepharoplasty, a midface lift or a face and neck lift (deep plane), for harmonious rejuvenation of the face. See also the overview of all facelifts.
Dr Médard de Chardon’s experience
- Qualified plastic surgeon specialising in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, former Chef de Clinique (university hospital senior registrar), Nice Faculty of Medicine; in practice in Cannes since 2011; member of SOFCEP (French Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery), SOFCPRE (French Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery) and ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery).
- More than 1,000 facelifts performed.
See the before and after photos of facelifts.
How much does a brow lift cost in Cannes?
€5,000 to €10,000
€5,000 to €10,000, on a written quote after the consultation (€100). A cosmetic facelift is not reimbursed by the Assurance Maladie or by mutuelles (top-up health insurance).
Book an appointment: +33 (0)4 93 68 86 68 or Doctolib.
Frequently asked questions about the brow lift
What is the difference between an endoscopic and a coronal brow lift?
The endoscopic lift uses 3 to 5 small incisions of 1 cm in the hair and preserves all the skin. The coronal lift uses one continuous incision in the hair and removes excess skin.
Are brow lift scars visible?
No. With both techniques, the incisions are hidden in the hair.
How long does the result of a brow lift last?
4 to 12 years, depending on the quality of the tissues.
How long does recovery from a brow lift take?
Swelling and bruising last 7 to 15 days, peaking in the first two days. Social downtime is 15 days; work and sport resume at 15 days.
Can Botox replace a brow lift?
When the indication is limited, botulinum toxin injections smooth forehead and frown lines for 2 to 6 months. They do not raise drooping eyebrows for the long term, which is what a brow lift does.
How much does a brow lift cost in Cannes?
The price is set on a written quote after the consultation (€100). It ranges from €5,000 to €10,000. A cosmetic facelift is not reimbursed by the Assurance Maladie or by mutuelles.