Forehead Lift Vs. Endoscopic Forehead Lift?

There are several approaches to rejuvenating the forehead including endoscopic and open approaches. The best approach usually accounts for several factors:Hairline- Patients with high hairlines may benefit from a hairline lowering procedure (open approach), while some endoscopic techniques can alter hairline. Concomitant Procedures- Patients with an endoscopic midface lift are often best served with an endoscopic browlift. Office Setting vs Operating Room- Some patients may wish for only lateral brow elevation. This can be done in an office setting quite comfortably for the patient.

Endoscopic means we use small cameras to do most of the lifting and work through small incisions. This allows a quicker recovery, less scar but at the same time less longevity and precision.I prefer a direct (Open) forehead lift. It is more predictable, longer lasting and more effective in my hands.Every patient is different though and the endoscopic approach is right for some.The best advice is to get a facial analysis by an experienced surgeon who can give you realistic expectations.Hope this helps.Best of luck,Drc

Thank you for your question. A forehead or brow lift can be performed using a variety of techniques. A coronal brow lift is the traditional method, which involves an incision across the entire brow within the hairline. It is reserved for patients in need of the most correction - I rarely use this technique. The endoscopic brow lift uses smaller incisions and specialized tools to produce the lift patients want. This procedure results in shorter recovery times for many patients and less scarring after surgery. This is the technique I use for the majority of my patients. For patients requiring minimal correction, I also offer the one-centimeter brow lift, which features the smallest incisions and the shortest recovery period. This technique is offered by few surgeons, but can be an excellent option for patients who want improvement but can't afford the time off for a more extensive procedure. I recommend scheduling a consultation with an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon who can assess you in person, discuss your concerns and goals at length, and tailor the best surgical plan for you.

There are many different ways to perform a brow or forehead lift. Endoscopic approach has become very popular, it results in very little scars that are hidden in the hair line. Open brow leaves a long scar either at hair line or behind the hairline. I prefer the endoscopic approach if a patient is a candidate, due to both less scarring and quicker recovery. In experienced hands they both should result in excellent outcome in the right patient.

The answer really comes down to how much of a forehead lift you need, and if you have a place to hide an incision.  There are several ways to perform a forehead lift (we do it 9 different ways in our office).  The deciding factor has to do with how much of a lift the person needs.  An endoscopic browlift, which is very popular, is minimally invasive, doesn't raise the hairline, gives a 2-3 mm raise, and lasts about 5 years on average.  A trichophytic browlift (second most popular) creates an incision across the hairline but gives a higher raise, lasts longer, but can create some more downtime and a bigger scar that is usually not a problem in most individuals but still a consideration. 

Hi there, I recently wrote a three part editorial series on Forehead lifting as well as eyebrow procedures. I discuss in great detail how this works. I think rather than repeat myself, you can check out the link below. I am sure you will find it helpfull.Dr James P. BonaparteFacial Cosmetic and Reconstructive SurgeryHead and Neck SurgeryOttawa, Ontario, Canada

The difference between a forehead lift and an endoscopic forehead lift is the type of incision that is utilized. In an endoscopic forehead lift, several small incisions are placed behind the hairline. In a direct lift, the incision is played above the eyebrow, in a trichophytic lift, it is placed at the hairline and in a coronal forehead lift, it is placed across the top of the head. The benefit of the endoscopic approach is similar results with fewer incisions and less dissection.

I have had good success with the endoscopic browlift.  Like any procedure, how the surgeon executes it makes the difference.  There are different forms of fixation, or securing, and I like the endotines.  Endoscopic lifting has the appeal of minimal incisions and also minimal numbness of the scalp like some of the other procedures.  However there are times when other options may be better.  When a patient has a high hairline, it may be better to place the scar along the hairline or even in a deep wrinkle of the forehead.  These scars can be very inconspicuous when properly placed, with careful monitoring of the healing process.

There are a number of techniques and modifications that are used by plastic surgeons.All are useful but should be viewed as tools  to achieve your goal and one technique is NOT superior to the others for all situations. You have to individualize.. You need to use the right tool for the right job. The most important part is to they match the patient’s desires and requirements such as lowering the hairline, or lifting just the outside of the brow which often droops before the middle part.  This will determine where the incision is placed.   It is important to select a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in all of these techniques, so the procedure can be individualized to your needs.  For example, if you have a high hair line or a receding hair line, the incision will be made at the hair line.  By using a beveling incision technique under magnification to preserve maximum hair follicles, the scar will be minimized as individual hairs will grow into the scar camouflaging it in many cases so that you could wear your hair pulled back.

Endoscopic brow lifts are also commonly performed by plastic surgeons.  The operation is done using an endoscope (a narrow hollow surgical telescope with a fiber optic light source and camera) and a small specialized instrumentation.  Endoscopic forehead-lifts use several short incision placed behind the hair line. 

Endoscopic advantages:


Shorter incisions

Less numbness

Less pain


Endoscopic disadvantages:


Shorter longevity

Potential to raise hairline


Open advantages:


Greater longevity

Better control of hairline (can shorten or lengthen)


Open disadvantages:


Longer incisions

More numbness

More pain