Brow Lift Recovery
What to expect when recovering from brow lift surgery
For most patients, brow lift surgery is a straightforward procedure with a pleasantly quick recovery. Here’s the scoop.
How will I feel after my brow lift?
Expect to feel groggy after your procedure, but you won’t be in pain. Rest mostly for the first few days, but get up and take frequent, easy walks.
Your incision sites will be closed with sutures or surgical clips, and you will have a temporary bandage wrapped around your hairline (like a headband). Your face and brow will feel tight for a few weeks, and post-op bruising and swelling is common. These effects typically resolve over the course of several weeks. If you have a traditional brow lift, post op discomfort, bruising and swelling will last a little longer compared to an endoscopic brow lift.
After brow lift surgery, when can I…
As a general rule, you can expect to return to each of these activities on the earlier side if you have an endoscopic brow lift, the later side if you have a traditional brow lift.
- Take a shower? The day after surgery. Just be very gentle, and towel dry your hair for the first week or so.
- Drive my car? After you are no longer taking prescription pain meds and you can react quickly and safely—usually by the end of the first week or two.
- Go out in public? As soon as you feel okay doing so! Some patients prefer to wait until post-op bruising and swelling is less conspicuous, after about 10 days. However, these effects can often be strategically disguised by makeup (we’ll recommend incision-safe products and techniques) or a hat or scarf.
- Return to work? About 5 to 7 days for a desk job; 2 to 3 weeks for a strenuous job.
- Get my hair cut or colored? It’s usually safe about 4 weeks after an endoscopic brow lift, 6 weeks after a traditional brow lift. BUT, don’t hit the salon without getting the green light from Dr. Clark first.
When will I see final results after a brow lift?
Results are looking great and pretty close to final after about 3 weeks, once the majority of post-op bruising and swelling have gone away. Results keep improving for up to 3 months; they’re pretty much final by this time.
With good skin care habits, your results will last for many years. The natural aging process will keep on happening, but your rejuvenated upper face will look smoother and better refreshed as time goes by, aging naturally with the rest of your face.
The best thing you can do to maintain your more youthful appearance is to take care of your skin. Wear broad spectrum sunscreen daily, eat a healthy diet, and follow a professionally designed at-home skincare routine, complete with antioxidants and moisturizers.
