Face · Brow lift

Brow Lift Techniques Compared: Endoscopic, Temporal, Hairline and Direct

Patient guide prepared for the practice of Op. Dr. Esin Özlem Atmış · Updated: 5 November 2026

A brow lift raises the soft tissues of the forehead and brow to correct low or uneven eyebrows and a tired look around the eyes.¹ But there is no single “brow lift”: there are five main techniques that differ in incision, amount of lift and scarring.¹

This guide explains who each technique suits, when it is avoided and how recovery progresses. The right technique depends on forehead height, hairline, which part of the brow has dropped and the state of the eyelids.

Key points

Five main techniques: endoscopic, temporal, coronal, hairline (pretrichial) and direct brow lift.¹
Endoscopic approach: done through small incisions in the hair; less invasive, with patient satisfaction reported above 98%.²
The hairline matters: with a high forehead a hairline technique is often considered; with a short forehead, the endoscopic approach.^1,2
Female and male brows differ: a gentle arch in women, a flatter brow at the level of the brow bone in men.²
Eyelid health affects the choice: dry eye, incomplete eye closure and previous eyelid surgery need caution with the endoscopic approach.²

Techniques at a glance

Technique	Incision	Often considered for
Endoscopic	Small incisions in the hair, with a camera¹	Short to medium foreheads; people wanting less scarring²
Temporal	Small incisions in the hair at the temples¹	Mainly a low outer brow¹
Coronal	Across the top of the head, inside the hair¹	May be avoided with a high hairline, thin hair or risk of hair loss¹
Hairline (pretrichial)	Along the hairline¹	High foreheads; people who also want a shorter forehead¹
Direct	Just above the eyebrow¹	Bushy eyebrows; a shorter procedure¹

Endoscopic brow lift

In the endoscopic technique, small incisions are made behind the hairline and a thin tube carrying a camera helps the surgeon lift the forehead tissues and anchor them in their new position.¹ According to StatPearls, it is less invasive than open approaches, has a lower complication profile and patient satisfaction above 98%.² It is particularly suitable for short foreheads, with less than 6 cm between the brow and hairline.²

Open approaches are thought to give a stronger or more durable lift, but there is very little data on this.² Situations where the endoscopic approach is avoided include incomplete eye closure, a history of dry eye, previous eyelid surgery, brow asymmetry greater than 3 to 4 mm, a markedly receding hairline and a strongly curved forehead.²

Open techniques: coronal, hairline and direct

In the coronal technique the incision runs across the top of the head inside the hair, and excess scalp is removed. It may be avoided in people with a high hairline, thin hair or a risk of hair loss.¹

In the hairline (pretrichial) technique the incision follows the hairline and a small amount of forehead skin is removed, which also shortens a high forehead. A scar may show along the hairline.¹

In the direct technique skin is removed just above the eyebrow. It is usually used for people with bushy eyebrows and is a shorter procedure.¹

Why female and male brows are planned differently

There is no universally accepted ideal brow shape. In women the highest point of the brow is usually aimed between the outer edge of the iris and the outer corner of the eye, slightly above the brow bone; in men the brow is generally flatter and sits at the level of the brow bone.² Over-lifting or arching a male brow can change facial expression. Other male-specific differences are discussed in facelift for men.

Brow or eyelid?

A low brow can make it look as if there is too much skin on the upper eyelid and can narrow the field of vision.² In that situation, eyelid surgery alone can pull the brow down further. A brow lift can be done alone or together with eyelid surgery or a facelift.¹ How to tell the difference is explained in eyelid surgery or brow lift.

Risks and recovery

Risks include visible scarring, numbness of the forehead or scalp (often improving within weeks, sometimes longer), uneven brows, a raised hairline or hair loss at the incisions, bleeding and infection.¹ Injury to the nerve that moves the forehead is the most feared but less common complication; temporary weakness is far more common than permanent paralysis.²

When	What usually happens
First 1 to 2 days	Discomfort similar to a tension headache; cold packs around the eyes²
Days 1 to 3	Bandages removed¹
First week	Sleep with the head raised; stitches or staples removed around days 7 to 10^2,1
Week 2	End of the period avoiding vigorous activity²
One month	Hair colouring considered safe²
Weeks to months	Swelling and numbness ease¹