Summary

• Brow Lift surgery addresses drooping and heavy eyebrows
• The recovery time after Brow Lift is typically 4-6 weeks
• Resting, cold compresses and sleeping on your back can accelerate the Brow Lift healing process
• Cadogan Clinic provides comprehensive recovery and aftercare support with all Brow Lift procedures, including post-operative appointments and 24-hour nurse support

What is a Brow Lift?

A Brow Lift is a surgical procedure which involves lifting the position of the eyebrows to increase the space between the upper eyelid and the eyebrow. This achieves an open appearance to the upper face, increases the field of vision and improves facial expression.

Cadogan Clinic is a specialist surgical hospital, based in Chelsea, London, working with a team of the best Consultant Facial Surgeons in the UK. Our Clinic’s leadership have been rated Outstanding by the CQC, and 100% of our surgical patients would recommend us to their family and friends.

The brow area can be affected by several factors, including ageing, genetics, weight loss, and conditions such as facial palsy. The most common concern affecting the brow area is brow ptosis, causing the eyebrows to drop, resulting in a heavy and unbalanced appearance.

A Brow Lift can be combined with other procedures such as Facelift or Blepharoplasty to enhance the final results. Between 2024 and 2025, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) reported a 27% increase in the number of Brow Lift procedures performed in the UK, showing that relatively small, but highly transformative procedures are increasingly popular.

Cadogan Clinic’s team of surgical advisors are experts in supporting patients throughout their surgical journey, and are available to answer your questions and match you with one of our UK-leading Consultant Facial Surgeons.

A Brow Lift is a surgical procedure which increases the distance between the upper eyelid and the eyebrow, achieving a more open eye appearance and enhancing facial expression and balance.

Brow Lift Recovery Tips

During recovery from Brow Lift surgery, it is essential to follow your surgeon’s recovery and aftercare instructions to prevent complications and achieve your desired results.

Your Consultant Facial Surgeon will discuss what you should expect during your Brow Lift recovery, during your consultation, but you will also receive wrap-around support from your personal surgical advisor and pre-operative team to ensure you feel fully prepared.

What You Should Do During Brow Lift Recovery

• Sleeping position: Your surgeon will ask you to sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated for around the first 2 weeks after your Brow Lift
• Cold compresses: Applying a cold compress to the upper face, being careful to avoid your incisions can help to reduce bruising and swelling after Brow Lift surgery
• Take prescribed medication: Take any medication your medical team has prescribed to manage discomfort and aid healing
• Be communicative: Your Consultant Facial Surgeon, and Cadogan Clinic’s expert surgical nurses are on hand to support you throughout your Brow Lift recovery. It is important to stay in touch with them, especially if you have any questions

What You Shouldn’t Do During Brow Lift Recovery

• Strenuous activity and exercise: Avoid any exercise or strenuous activities, such as heavy lifting, to prevent strain from being placed on your incisions
• Sunlight and heat: Protect your incisions from direct sunlight and avoid hot showers and saunas to help your Brow Lift scar to fade
• Cosmetic products: Avoid applying makeup or skincare around the incision sites until cleared by your surgeon
• Eating a high salt and sugar diet: Excessive salt and sugar may impact healing time and the quality of the final result due to dehydration and collagen breakdown

Your Consultant Facial Surgeon will provide you with comprehensive Brow Lift aftercare advice ahead of your procedure to allow you to fully prepare and ensure your recovery is smooth.

Is a Brow Lift Painful?

It is normal to experience some discomfort during the early stages of Brow Lift recovery, but most patients find that this can be managed with standard pain relief medication. 

Sensations that patients experience during the Brow Lift healing process include tightness, numbness, itching and tingling. In the vast majority of cases, these will be short-term, resolving within a couple of weeks, and if you are concerned about any long-term side effects, it is important to speak with your surgeon and nurses.

Bruising and swelling after Brow Lift around the upper face are normal during the early stages of recovery and healing. This can take 2-3 weeks to fully resolve and your surgeon may recommend techniques such as a cold compress to accelerate healing.

Some discomfort after any surgical procedure is normal, but if you notice any concerning signs, or are worried you can contact the Clinic at any time for further Brow Lift aftercare support.

Any slight discomfort after a Brow Lift is normal and usually easily managed. Your personal medical team at Cadogan Clinic will be on hand to assist you throughout your Brow Lift recovery to ensure you achieve your desired results.

What Brow Lift Aftercare Support Does Cadogan Clinic Provide?

Cadogan Clinic, London provides comprehensive recovery and aftercare support with every surgical Brow Lift procedure. High quality aftercare support is essential to protect patient safety, prevent complications and achieve the best possible results.

By prioritising recovery and aftercare support, Cadogan Clinic maintains industry-leading safety standards:

• 0.01% surgical infection rate, compared with a national average of 4.7%
• 0.8% surgical revision rate, compared with an average of approximately 10%

When you are discharged after your Brow Lift, you will be given the number for Cadogan Clinic’s 24-hour recovery line, allowing you to speak with our specialist surgical nurses whenever you require.

You will also have at least two post-operative appointments with our nursing team and your Consultant Facial Surgeon to monitor your healing progress and results. We emphasise the importance of attending these appointments in person, at our award-winning Clinic to maintain the best communication between you and your medical team.

For over 20 years, Cadogan Clinic has emphasised the importance of wrap-around recovery and aftercare support following Brow Lift surgery to maintain high patient safety standards.

Frequently Asked Questions