Sub-Brow Lift FAQ

A sub-brow lift is surgery that removes sagging upper eyelid skin through an incision just below the eyebrow and lifts the eyelid, and it is also called subbrow blepharoplasty. Unlike a direct brow lift, which removes skin above the eyebrow to raise the brow itself, it removes skin just below the eyebrow. It is considered when eyelid skin sags over the eyes, the outer corners look droopy, or the skin at the outer corners becomes irritated. Because it does not touch the double eyelid crease, it can improve sagging while keeping your existing eye shape. The incision sits along the lower border of the eyebrow, so the scar is usually not very bothersome after recovery.

The biggest difference is that a sub-brow lift removes sagging eyelid skin through an incision below the eyebrow, while upper blepharoplasty does so through an incision along the double eyelid line. A sub-brow lift is well suited to improving sagging toward the outer corner without greatly changing the double eyelid line or eye shape, while upper blepharoplasty can create a new double eyelid line along with removing the sagging skin. The choice depends on the distance between the eyebrow and the eye, eyelid thickness, and whether you want a double eyelid.

A sub-brow lift removes skin just below the eyebrow to directly reduce upper eyelid hooding, while a brow lift raises the entire forehead to lift the position of the drooping brows themselves. A sub-brow lift is often suitable when the brow position is fine and only the eyelid skin has sagged, and a brow lift when the brows themselves have dropped and forehead wrinkles and eyelid hooding appear together. Either surgery may also be combined with upper blepharoplasty, and the decision is made after identifying the cause of the sagging during consultation.

A sub-brow lift involves a skin incision, so it does leave a scar, but because the incision follows the lower border of the eyebrow, it is often hidden by the eyebrow or not very noticeable after recovery. Redness may be present early on and gradually fades over several months, and how noticeable the scar becomes depends on skin type, constitution, and aftercare.

Returning to daily life after a sub-brow lift usually takes about 1 week, and stitches are removed 7 days after surgery. Swelling and bruising peak on days 2–3 and mostly disappear in about 1–2 weeks. Face washing is OK from the day after stitch removal, and eyebrow makeup and tattooing, saunas, strenuous exercise, alcohol, and smoking are best avoided for 4 weeks.

Besides temporary swelling, bruising, and reduced sensation around the incision, a sub-brow lift can rarely cause a widened or raised scar, asymmetry, or a change in eyebrow shape. Reduced sensation usually recovers over several months, and scarring varies with constitution and aftercare. It is important to accurately assess the eyebrow position and degree of skin sagging before surgery to decide how much skin to remove.

A sub-brow lift is decided by the degree of eyelid skin sagging rather than age, so it can be considered even in your 20s or 30s if excess eyelid skin covers the eyes or hides the double eyelid. Men often want to remove only the sagging skin without creating a double eyelid, so a sub-brow lift, which does not touch the double eyelid line, is often a good fit. However, if the eyebrows are naturally low or the space between the eyebrows and eyes is narrow, a brow lift may be more suitable.

The cost of a sub-brow lift depends on the extent of skin removal, whether combined procedures such as upper blepharoplasty or fat removal are included, and whether it is a revision. The scope of surgery differs depending on your eyelid condition, so an exact cost can be provided after a consultation.