Thinking about a brow lift? This popular procedure can smooth forehead lines, lift drooping eyebrows, and give your entire face a more youthful, rested appearance. “A brow lift isn’t just about looking younger—it’s about feeling confident in your own skin,” says Dr. Shervin Naderi, facial plastic surgeon at The Naderi Center.
What to Know About Brow Lift
- A brow lift can smooth forehead lines and lift the eyebrows while creating a more rested appearance which makes people look younger.
- Good candidates are healthy adults who seek treatment for drooping brows, frown lines and heavy brows that obstruct their eyesight.
- Patients normally need one week to recover from their procedure because they can resume their regular activities and work about seven days after the operation.
- The complete healing process and the best treatment outcomes require patients to follow all pre-operative and post-operative instructions.
- Dr. Naderi uses a personalized, facial-balance approach to help patients achieve natural-looking outcomes.
What Is a Brow Lift and How Can It Help You?
A brow lift (or forehead lift) corrects sagging brows, smooths forehead wrinkles, and opens up the eye area. “We often see patients whose brows make them look tired or stressed. Lifting the brow can dramatically improve the harmony of the entire face,” explains Dr. Naderi.
Are You a Good Candidate for a Brow Lift?
You might be a candidate if you have:
- Drooping or low eyebrows
- Deep frown lines between the brows
- A heavy brow affecting your upper eyelids
“Good candidates are healthy adults with realistic expectations,” says Dr. Naderi. “Age matters less than skin quality and muscle tone.”
How to Prepare for Your Brow Lift Procedure
Your recovery process will become easier when you prepare properly. You should not use aspirin, ibuprofen, alcohol, nicotine or caffeine before your surgery. You should buy all necessary prescriptions along with stool softeners, Tylenol and Arnica supplements. “Following pre-op instructions is key to a safe surgery and faster healing,” Dr. Naderi emphasizes.
Pre-Surgery Essentials Checklist
- Comfortable recovery area at home with pillows, blankets, and entertainment
- Gentle hair care supplies like baby shampoo and a large-toothed comb
- Hibiclens wash for the night before and morning of surgery
- Ice packs or frozen peas to minimize swelling
What to Expect During and Immediately After Surgery
Wear loose, comfortable clothing, ideally with buttons or zippers. Remove all makeup, jewelry, hair products, and piercings. “Minimizing anything on the skin or hair helps reduce infection risk and makes the procedure smoother,” says Dr. Naderi.
First Night After Surgery
Your body needs motion! You should walk, do leg and ankle exercises, and practice deep breathing to prevent complications. to avoid problems. For the first one to two weeks, lie on your back but also elevate your head when sleeping. “Keeping upright helps minimize swelling and promotes healing,” Dr. Naderi notes.
Pain Management and Medications
Pain is usually mild and can be controlled with your prescribed medication or Tylenol. Complete your antibiotics as prescribed. For nausea, take medications provided by your surgeon. “Most patients are surprised at how manageable the recovery feels,” says Dr. Naderi.
Foods and Hydration
Start with light meals that contain low fat content. You must drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day and not consume alcohol during your pain medication treatment. The process of recovery requires people to maintain proper hydration levels.
Ready to explore your options for facial rejuvenation?
A personalized consultation with Dr. Naderi is the best way to learn what’s possible for you.
Recovery Timeline and Activity Guidelines
As you start feeling better, you’ll gradually be able to return to many of your normal routines—keeping a few important precautions in mind.
Getting Back to Your Daily Life
Normal activities can resume within a few days, but avoid lifting more than 5 lbs or bending for 1–2 weeks. The first week requires you to avoid all clothing items that need to be pulled over your head. The schedule allows for light exercise to begin after 2-3 weeks, while more intense workouts will start after 4-6 weeks.
Hair, Makeup, and Skin Care
You should wash your hair and face gently two days after your surgery. You must wait 4 to 6 weeks before you can use hair color products and chemical hair treatments. The first 4 days require you to avoid makeup and face creams while you need to wait 1 week before you can tweeze your eyebrows.
Driving and Returning to Work
Do not drive until off pain medication for at least 24 hours. Most patients return to work in 5–7 days, depending on their job.
How to Care for Incisions
Staples or sutures are removed at follow-up appointments. Some crusting may occur—do not pick. Minimize sun exposure and always use SPF 30 or higher. “Proper incision care helps ensure your scars are minimal and heal beautifully,” Dr. Naderi explains.
Swelling, Bruising, and What’s Normal
Drainage and bruising are normal in the first week or two. Swelling can cause tightness or unevenness temporarily. Itching, numbness, and slight hair thinning near incisions are also common. “These symptoms are all part of normal healing,” says Dr. Naderi.
Tips to Reduce Discomfort
Lightweight cold compresses help with swelling and soreness. Benadryl can ease itching. “Patients often feel much better after the first few days when swelling begins to settle,” notes Dr. Naderi.
When to Call Your Surgeon
Call 703-481-0002 or seek immediate care for signs of infection, severe bleeding, chest pain, shortness of breath, or unusual leg swelling. “Early intervention is key to preventing complications,” Dr. Naderi advises.
Long-Term Results You Can Enjoy
A brow lift can last 10–15 years depending on lifestyle and skin quality. Protect your skin with sunscreen and maintain a healthy skincare routine using ZO Skin Health products for optimal results.
Complementary Treatments
Many patients combine brow lifts with other procedures like upper eyelid surgery or facial fillers for full facial rejuvenation. “Our goal is always a balanced, natural outcome tailored to your face,” Dr. Naderi says.
Patient Experiences
Recovery varies, but most patients experience minimal pain and are thrilled with their brow lift results. “Seeing patients smile after a brow lift is one of the most rewarding parts of my work,” Dr. Naderi shares.
Take the Next Step Toward a More Refreshed You
A brow lift procedure helps to restore facial harmony while it makes your appearance more youthful and confident. The use of expert surgical techniques along with customized methods produces results that maintain a natural appearance throughout an extended period.
People who want to undergo brow lift surgery can make an appointment to see Dr. Shervin Naderi at The Naderi Center. The patients who visit us at our Chevy Chase and Reston locations will receive assistance in discovering their treatment options. You can begin the process by contacting us today.