Understanding Scarring After Brow Lift Surgery
All surgeries leave behind scars, but worrying about them is not a priority when you require an emergency or life-saving procedure. When it comes to plastic surgery, however, patients understandably want to know where and how noticeable their scars will be. Happily, most brow lift scars are minimal, well-hidden, and, like all scars, will fade with time. The exact location of your scars will depend on the surgical technique employed during your surgery.
Although your brow lift scars will be minimal, you will still have them. In this guide we’ll walk you through scar locations, healing, and appearance. We’ll also provide tips that will help your scars fade more quickly.
Where Are the Scars Located After a Brow Lift?
Your surgeon will choose the best brow lift technique for you based on your unique features and aesthetic goals. That technique, in turn, will determine where your scars will be located. Each technique has its own scar pattern. Most, however, are not visible when someone is eye level with you or looking at you from the front.
Endoscopic Brow Lift Scars
An endoscopic brow lift allows for the smallest incisions. Three to five of these tiny, 1 to 2 cm long incisions are placed in the scalp, just behind the hairline. They are usually spread out, with one over each brow, one near each of the temples, and another in the center of the forehead. Unless you shave your head or experience thinning hair, these scars are virtually invisible, even in a ponytail or other updos that pull your hair back.
Coronal (Classic) Brow Lift Scars
During this type of brow lift, the surgeon makes an incision across the top of your scalp that runs from one ear to the other. The incision is hidden deep within your hair rather than running along the hairline. This type of incision is hidden well unless your hair becomes extremely thin. It may take a bit longer to heal, though, because of its considerable length.
Pretrichial (Hairline) Brow Lift Scars
Similar to a coronal brow lift, a pretrichial lift also creates a long incision. In this case, it runs across your entire forehead but is hidden in the hairline. This is often the best choice for patients with a high or receding hairline. This scar is visible at first but will fade over time. It can also be hidden with the right hairstyle or makeup.
Temporal (Lateral) Brow Lift Scars
As its name may seem to imply, a temporal brow lift involves a short incision placed at each temple, just behind the hairline. This type of lift raises only the outer third of the brow, making it a subtle lift with minimal scarring. While not right for everyone, this is an excellent choice if you have only minor forehead sagging.
What Do Brow Lift Scars Look Like at Each Stage?
Scars aren’t static, and they’ll change as they heal. It can take up to a year for that to happen completely, so try to be patient if your scars are more visible than you would like. They may fade in time. Remember too, that scars are more noticeable to you because you know exactly where they are. Others may not find them as obvious. Here is an outline of how you can expect your scars to look at various stages of healing:
- Weeks 1–2 (Early Healing Phase)
- Scars may appear red, raised, or slightly crusted as healing begins
- Mild swelling, bruising, and scalp tightness are common
- Itching is a normal sign of healing, but please resist the urge to scratch
- Weeks 3–6
- Incisions begin to flatten and lighten
- Some residual redness is common, especially in patients with lighter or more sensitive skin
- Months 2–6
- Scars continue to fade and soften in texture.
- Redness fades into a pink or light tan tone depending on skin pigmentation
- Most scars are barely noticeable by month six
- Months 6–12 and Beyond
- Final scar maturation can take up to a year
- For many patients, scars become nearly invisible or indistinguishable from the scalp or hairline
How to Minimize Brow Lift Scars: Brow-Specific Scar Care Tips
Good care at home immediately after your surgery and for about a year after your procedure can have a big impact on the appearance of your scars. There are several steps you can take to help your scars heal and fade more quickly.
Be Gentle With the Forehead and Scalp Area
Scarring can sometimes be worse in high-movement areas where the skin is subjected to being pulled as it heals. The forehead is one of these areas, so try and be gentle with it. Use caution when brushing your hair so as not to brush over or place tension on your incisions. Try and avoid overly animated facial expressions as well.
Apply Silicone-Based Scar Treatments (Once Cleared)
Silicone scar sheets and creams are effective for scars on the hairline and scalp. Once your incisions are completely healed, you can begin using them daily. If you wish, you may use a Q-tip or small makeup brush to apply the cream and minimize the amount that gets in your hair. Your doctor will usually OK the use of silicone treatment two or three weeks after your brow lift.
Protect the Scalp and Hairline From UV Exposure
Exposure to sunlight can significantly darken scars, making sun protection important for the first year after surgery. Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. If you have a coronal scar on the top of your head, consider wearing a scarf or hat when outdoors.
Maintain a Scar-Friendly Hair Care Routine
For at least four to six weeks after your brow lift, use gentle shampoo and avoid hair dye, heated styling tools, and tight hairstyles. Avoid direct contact between any styling tool and your incision or subsequent scar for several weeks as well. This is especially important after pretrichial and temporal lifts.
Avoid Smoking and Alcohol During Recovery
Smoking constricts your blood vessels, and this slows recovery by limiting the amount of oxygen and nutrients that your body can deliver to healing incisions and scars. Alcohol, on the other hand, increases inflammation, which can also interfere with tissue repair. It’s best to avoid smoking, vaping, and drinking after your brow lift if you wish to reduce the visibility of your scars.
Stay Ahead of Inflammation With Anti-Swelling Protocols
You can’t completely avoid swelling and inflammation after surgery, but you can limit them. Try to stay ahead of them by using cold compresses as advised by your surgeon, sleeping with your head elevated, and avoiding salty foods. Salty foods increase fluid retention and tension around the incisions, both of which can prevent scars from being as flat and light as they could be.
Will My Brow Lift Scars Be Visible Long-Term?
We can’t promise that your brow lift scars will ever be invisible, but in time they will be very difficult to see. Endoscopic and temporal lifts both create scars that are virtually undetectable after they heal. Coronal and pretrichial scars fade significantly in most cases, as well, and are strategically placed for optimal camouflage.
Patients with light skin, fair hair, or thin hair may need to give scars some additional time to heal and should be extra diligent about following scar care directions. In rare cases, keloids and hypertrophic scars can occur. This is usually caused by poor healing but can fortunately be treated with scar revision surgery or steroid treatments.
What if I’m Prone to Scarring?
Tell your surgeon if you have a history of keloids, hyperpigmentation, or thick scars. This allows them to devise the best surgical plan for you. Your personalized plan may involve adjusting incision placement or using preventive pre-treatment therapies to try and help stop scars before they start. Choosing a highly qualified plastic surgeon experienced in aesthetic facial surgery further minimizes the risk of unattractive or noticeable scars.
Recap: Brow Lift Scars Are Manageable With the Right Care
When performed by an experienced surgeon and followed by proper aftercare, brow lift scars are small, discreet, and fade beautifully. Knowing what to expect at each stage of healing and being proactive with scar care treatments can dramatically improve your final outcome. Most patients report that scars are not an issue, and they are quite happy with the lifted, youthful appearance a brow lift provides.