Facial plastic surgery · London
Endoscopic brow lift, by a specialist facial surgeon.
A day-case forehead rejuvenation that lifts a heavy brow, softens frown lines and opens the upper eye - done through five small incisions hidden in the hairline, by a consultant oculoplastic or facial plastic surgeon with dedicated brow volume.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A named oculoplastic or facial plastic surgeon
Not a generalist. A consultant with a dedicated brow and upper-face practice, on the BAAPS, BAPRAS or BOPSS specialist registers.
- 02
The right operation for your brow
Endoscopic is not always the answer. High-hairline patients may need trichophytic; some patients only need blepharoplasty or Botox. We tell you before you commit.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private endoscopic brow lift costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics - from Cadogan Clinic and HCA The Wellington to London Bridge Cosmetic Surgery and King Edward VII's. We quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
Endoscopic brow lift in our network: £6,500–£11,000, home the same day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultant assessment and photographic planning | £250–£400 | 45–60 min | Same visit |
| Chemical brow lift (Botox to corrugator, procerus, lateral orbicularis) | £350–£650 | 20 min | Same visit |
| Temporal lift only (lateral brow tail) | £3,500–£5,500 | 60–75 min | Day case |
| Endoscopic brow lift | £6,500–£11,000 | 90–150 min | Day case |
| Coronal or trichophytic pretrichial brow lift | £7,500–£12,000 | 120–180 min | Day case |
| Endoscopic brow lift + upper eyelid blepharoplasty | +£3,500–£5,500 | +45–60 min | Day case |
Prices vary by surgeon, by theatre, by anaesthetist and by whether the case is combined with upper eyelid blepharoplasty, mid-face lift or a deep-plane facelift bundle. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The journey
From first photos to final result - what happens, in order.
One team from first message to six-month review - including combined blepharoplasty planning if it fits your face.
- 01
Before
You send us photos and your goals
A short, confidential form with front, oblique and animation photos, plus a note on what bothers you most - brow position, forehead lines, or hooding.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: whether endoscopic brow lift fits, whether upper eyelid blepharoplasty should come first, or whether Botox alone gives you enough lift.
- 03
Before
Consultation and planning
Consultant assessment of brow position versus the supra-orbital rim, hairline height, visual fields if hooding is severe, and a clear plan on fixation.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the theatre
Arrival, marking with you seated upright, consent and a chat with the anaesthetist. General anaesthetic or deep sedation with local infiltration.
- 05
On the day
The endoscopic brow lift itself
90 to 150 minutes. Five small 1 to 2 cm incisions behind the hairline, endoscope-assisted subperiosteal dissection, muscle and periosteal release, Endotine or bone-tunnel fixation.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
A short recovery, a light head dressing, written aftercare and home within a few hours. You will need someone to collect you and stay overnight.
- 07
After
Review, sutures and settle
Sutures out at 7 to 10 days, back to office work at 10 to 14 days, exercise at 4 to 6 weeks. Sensation on the forehead and scalp settles over 3 to 6 months.
When it helps
When an endoscopic brow lift is the right step - and when it is not.
The presentations we see most often, plus the situations where upper blepharoplasty, Botox or a different lift is the better call.
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Brow ptosis with the brow at or below the rim
The brow sits at or below the supra-orbital rim, giving a tired or heavy look that persists even after a good night of sleep.
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Lateral brow drop and hooding
The tail of the brow falls first with age, dragging skin down over the outer upper lid and squeezing the eye shape.
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Pseudo-blepharochalasis from a ptotic brow
What looks like excess upper eyelid skin is actually a descended brow. Removing lid skin alone would drop the brow further.
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Deep glabellar frown lines and 11s
Corrugator and procerus hyperactivity has etched vertical lines that no longer soften fully with Botox alone.
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Persistent forehead lines
Frontalis over-recruitment to hold a heavy brow up leaves permanent horizontal lines across the forehead.
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Functional visual field loss
Severe brow hooding narrows the superior visual field. Formal fields testing may support insurance funding on medical grounds.
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Asymmetric brow position
One brow, often the non-dominant side, sits lower - a targeted lift can rebalance the upper face.
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When blepharoplasty comes first
Isolated upper lid dermatochalasis with a brow already at good height should be treated with upper blepharoplasty alone, not a brow lift.
Procedure options
Brow lift is a family of techniques - and non-surgical options sit beside them.
What each option actually involves - and which fits which face. Ultherapy, Sofwave and Thermage sit alongside surgery for patients who want a subtler, non-surgical lift.
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Endoscopic brow lift
The workhorse. Five 1 to 2 cm incisions behind the hairline, endoscope-assisted subperiosteal dissection, muscle and periosteal release, bio-absorbable Endotine devices or bone tunnels for fixation.
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Coronal brow lift
A long ear-to-ear incision across the scalp. The most durable lift, but a larger scar, potential hair loss along the line and lasting scalp numbness. Reserved for select cases.
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Trichophytic pretrichial lift
A small incision along the frontal hairline for patients with a high forehead who do not want the hairline set further back. Scar hidden as hair grows through it.
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Direct brow lift
Direct excision of skin just above the brow, with a visible but fine scar. Suited to elderly patients with deep forehead lines who want a strong, one-side-only lift.
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Temporal lift only
A short incision in the temporal hair only elevates the tail of the brow. A neat operation for isolated lateral brow drop with a well-positioned central brow.
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Chemical brow lift with Botox
Targeted units into lateral orbicularis, corrugator and procerus produce a 3 to 4 mm subtle lift. Repeats every 3 to 4 months. A good trial before surgery.
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Energy-based lift (Ultherapy, Sofwave, Thermage)
Focused ultrasound or radiofrequency for a subtle non-surgical lift. Best for mild ptosis in patients who are not ready for surgery.
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Combined with upper blepharoplasty
A brow lift plus an upper eyelid blepharoplasty in the same sitting - correcting the brow first, then trimming only the true excess of lid skin.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of facial plastic and oculoplastic surgeons, we picked them.
Consultants at Cadogan Clinic, London Bridge Cosmetic Surgery, HCA The Wellington, King Edward VII's and London Facial Plastic Surgery - selected on dedicated brow volume and consistent aesthetic outcomes.
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BAAPS, BAPRAS or BOPSS oculoplastic and facial plastic consultants
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Dedicated brow and upper-face volume, not occasional cases
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CQC-registered theatres with consultant anaesthetist cover
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Combined pathways with upper blepharoplasty, mid-face lift and deep-plane facelift when indicated
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Endoscopic brow lift is a well-established operation. The things worth planning are your fixation choice, the swelling and bruising window, and the timeline for sensation and animation to settle.
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Over-elevation and the surprised look
Too much lift, especially medially, produces a permanently startled look. Careful marking with you seated upright avoids it.
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Asymmetry
Small pre-existing brow asymmetries can be accentuated. We photograph and measure in advance and discuss what is achievable.
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Sensation change on forehead and scalp
Numbness or altered sensation is common for weeks. It usually settles by 3 to 6 months. Occasional persistent patches of numbness can remain.
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Alopecia around incisions
Small patches of hair loss can occur around incision lines, more often with coronal incisions. Trichophytic closure reduces the risk.
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Endotine palpability
The bio-absorbable fixation device can be felt under the scalp for several weeks or months before it dissolves. It is not visible.
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Hairline distortion in coronal lifts
A coronal lift lifts the hairline as well as the brow - relevant for anyone with an already-high forehead. Trichophytic incisions are chosen to avoid this.
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Mild frontalis paresis
Temporary weakness of forehead animation is common in the first weeks and settles as nerve branches recover.
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Revision surgery
A small number of patients need a touch-up for under-correction or asymmetry, usually addressable through the same incisions.
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Recovery timeline
Swelling and bruising for 2 to 3 weeks, sutures out at 7 to 10 days, back to office at 10 to 14 days, cardiovascular exercise at 4 to 6 weeks.
Reading your operation note
Your brow lift note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever technique was used, the note the surgeon sends you keeps to the same shape.
- 01 Header
Diagnosis and brow position measurements
Brow height versus the supra-orbital rim, hairline position, forehead height and visual field notes if hooding is severe.
- 02 Technique
Approach, dissection plane and fixation
Which incision pattern, subperiosteal versus subgaleal plane, muscle release and whether Endotine devices or bone tunnels were used.
- 03 Findings
Combined procedures and asymmetries
Any concurrent upper blepharoplasty or mid-face work, and any pre-existing asymmetry that was addressed intra-operatively.
- 04 Impression
Aftercare, review schedule and revisions
Read this first: suture removal date, sleep and exercise restrictions, review schedule and the plan for any touch-up if needed.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cosmetic brow lift is self-funded. Insurance may consider cover where severe brow hooding causes documented visual field loss. We help pre-authorise.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about brow lift.
Quick answers on scars, Botox, recovery, insurance and combining with upper blepharoplasty.
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Can Botox give me a brow lift without surgery?
A chemical brow lift with Botox to lateral orbicularis, corrugator and procerus can give a subtle 3 to 4 mm lift that lasts 3 to 4 months. It is a good trial before surgery, but it will not correct significant brow ptosis or hooding. If your brow sits at or below the supra-orbital rim, a surgical lift is the only reliable option.
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What scars will I have after an endoscopic brow lift?
Five small 1 to 2 cm incisions hidden inside the hairline. They fade to fine lines that are invisible once hair grows over them. Coronal and trichophytic lifts leave longer visible scars along the scalp or hairline, which is why they are reserved for specific anatomy.
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How long is the recovery?
Swelling and bruising for 2 to 3 weeks, sutures out at 7 to 10 days, back to office work at 10 to 14 days, and cardiovascular exercise at 4 to 6 weeks. Sensation on the forehead and scalp can feel altered for 3 to 6 months while nerves recover.
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Will my insurance cover a brow lift?
Cosmetic brow lifts are self-funded. Cover may be considered where severe brow hooding causes documented visual field loss and the operation is coded as a functional procedure. We help you gather the evidence and pre-authorise where appropriate.
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How long does an endoscopic brow lift last?
Most patients get 7 to 10 years of visible benefit. Ageing continues, so the brow will gradually descend again, but usually not back to its starting point. Coronal lifts have the longest durability but the greatest trade-offs.
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Should I have an upper eyelid blepharoplasty at the same time?
Sometimes. If your brow is at good height and only the upper eyelid skin is redundant, blepharoplasty alone is the right operation. If the brow is descended and dragging skin down, lifting the brow first and then trimming only the true excess of lid skin gives a more natural result than blepharoplasty alone.
Ready to talk to a surgeon?
Send your photos. We come back within a working day with a plan and a firm quote.
Independent, discreet and free. Consultants from BAAPS, BAPRAS and BOPSS - matched to your anatomy, not to a clinic's calendar.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
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Upper eyelid blepharoplasty
Removing true excess upper eyelid skin - often combined with a brow lift.
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Deep-plane facelift
Structural facial rejuvenation for the mid and lower face.
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Mid-face lift
Restores volume and lift to the cheek and lower orbit.
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Anti-wrinkle Botox
Chemical brow lift and treatment of glabellar and forehead lines.
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Ultherapy facial HIFU
Non-surgical focused ultrasound for a subtle brow and jaw lift.
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Sofwave skin tightening
Non-surgical ultrasound skin tightening across the upper face.
Learn more