Which ​Type of Brow Lift May Be Best for You

When your brows sit lower than they used to, the change can affect your expression in ways that are easy for you to notice but hard to pinpoint. Some people see heavier upper eyelids. Others feel like their face looks tired or stern, even when they feel fine.

At his practice in San Mateo, California, board-certified facial plastic surgeon R. James Koch, MD, makes brow lift recommendations based on how your brow position, forehead movement, and eyelids work together. 

Understanding how these factors interact helps clarify which approach is right for you.

What changes when your brow droops

Most brow changes happen over time. As the area settles, your upper face can take on a heavier look, and your eyes may seem less open.

You may notice:

• Heavier upper eyelids
• Deeper horizontal forehead lines
• A tired or stern resting expression
• Brow height that differs from side to side

These changes don’t always mean surgery. Injectables or eyelid surgery may be enough. But if your brow has dropped, lifting it can help the upper face look more open again.

How brow lift options differ

There isn’t a brow lift technique that works for everyone. Hairline height, forehead length, skin quality, and brow shape all influence which approach is best. 

Dr. Koch most often performs brow lifts using minimally invasive options, including endoscopic techniques with small incisions hidden in the hair-bearing scalp. In select cases, other methods offer better correction, especially when brow descent is more pronounced or uneven.

Popular types include:

Endoscopic brow lift

An endoscopic brow lift uses a few small incisions behind your hairline. An endoscope provides visibility beneath the skin so Dr. Koch can lift and secure the brow with minimal surface disruption. 

Lateral (temporal) brow lift

A lateral lift focuses on the outer portion of your brow. This area often drops sooner than the center, creating heaviness over the outer eyelids and deepening lines at the temples. A lateral lift can help open the eye area without changing your entire forehead.

Direct brow lift

A direct brow lift uses an incision just above your brow. Dr. Koch reserves this option for specific situations because the incision needs thoughtful placement. 

Hairline or coronal brow lift

These techniques use longer incisions along the front or top of the scalp to lift both the forehead and brow. 

How Dr. Koch helps guide the decision

During your consultation, Dr. Koch evaluates:

• Brow height at rest and with expression
• Upper eyelid skin and lid position
• Forehead muscle activity
• Hairline location and density

This broader assessment helps avoid overcorrection and supports results that look balanced and natural.

What to expect after a brow lift

Recovery varies depending on the approach, but most patients notice swelling and bruising early on that improves during the first week. Dr. Koch typically performs brow lift procedures on an outpatient basis with twilight sedation, allowing you to return home the same day.

Most people need about a week away from work and strenuous activity. Follow-up visits help Dr. Koch monitor healing and guide your return to normal routines.

Discuss brow lift options in San Mateo, California

If your brow position has changed and your upper face feels heavier or less open, an in-person evaluation can clarify what’s causing the change and which approach fits your anatomy.

To schedule an appointment with R. James Koch, MD, call 669-279-3663, text the office, or book online at drkochfacialplasticsurgery.com.