1. What is an Endoscopic Forehead Lift?
The Endoscopic Forehead Lift uses approximately 1.5 cm incisions at 4 points within the scalp (5 points in male patients with M-pattern hair loss as an exception). An endoscope is inserted to precisely lift the forehead and brow.
The core purpose of the procedure is to restore drooped brows to their original anatomical position — a brow lift. When the brow droops, the eyes look heavy and the patient instinctively raises the brow using the frontalis muscle, which gradually creates persistent deep forehead wrinkles. The Endoscopic Forehead Lift addresses this root cause and produces a naturally brighter, younger appearance.
Core Advantages
Virtually invisible scars
All incisions are made within the scalp, completely hidden by hair — invisible from the outside.
Precision surgery
High-magnification endoscopic visualization allows safe preservation of important nerves and vessels while dissecting precisely.
Multiple effects in one procedure
Brow lifting, forehead wrinkle improvement, and glabellar (frown) line improvement can all be achieved in a single surgery.
2. Who Is It For?
Drooped brows make eyes look heavy
For patients whose brows have descended, making the eyes look small or strained. Restoring the brow to its natural position opens up the eyes.
Deep forehead wrinkles
For patients whose habit of raising drooped brows with the frontalis muscle has produced deep forehead wrinkles. Addressing the root cause improves the wrinkles fundamentally.
Severe glabellar (frown) lines
The corrugator and procerus muscles that create glabellar lines are directly weakened intra-operatively — effective even for deep frown lines that botox alone cannot resolve.
Tired-looking impression
For patients who look tired and older than they are even when well-rested. Brow and forehead sagging are often the cause — a forehead lift restores a bright impression.
⚠ Common Botox Misconception
Some patients think that "botox raises the brows" — this is not true. Botox paralyzes muscles, which actually prevents the brow from being raised any further.
When the brow droops with age and starts blocking the visual field, patients instinctively develop the habit of raising the brow to lift the drooped skin away from the eyes. The muscle that performs this lifting is the frontalis (forehead muscle). Over time, this habit creates deep, permanent horizontal forehead wrinkles.
💡 Why does the "botox raises the brow" illusion arise?
When botox is injected only into the central forehead, only the central frontalis is paralyzed. In a patient with the habit of raising the brow, the central brow stays still while only the more drooped outer brow is raised. This asymmetric movement creates the illusion that the brow is "lifting up". Check the area above the outer brow in the mirror — you will likely see many fine wrinkles that have formed from this lifting habit.
The root cause of forehead wrinkles is "the instinctive habit of trying to lift the drooped brow." Botox paralyzes the frontalis to block this habit and prevent the wrinkles from getting deeper — it does not lift the brow itself.
✓ The Endoscopic Forehead Lift Solves the Root Cause
The Endoscopic Forehead Lift structurally repositions the brow to its original anatomical location, eliminating "the instinctive habit of trying to lift the drooped brow" itself.
After surgery, the frontalis is no longer overused, so forehead wrinkles naturally improve and botox is no longer required.
3. Surgical Method
~1.5 cm scalp incisions at 4 points
Approximately 1.5 cm incisions are made within the scalp at 4 points
(5 in male patients with M-pattern hair loss).
The endoscope is inserted through these incisions; the surgeon dissects under high-magnification visualization
in the subperiosteal or subgaleal plane,
safely elevating the forehead and brow soft tissue.
Fixation with absorbable devices
The lifted tissue is secured at the desired position with absorbable fixation devices (e.g., Endotine).
The fixation devices are gradually absorbed by the body while the tissue heals and adheres in its new position.
Virtually invisible scars
All incisions are within the hair-bearing scalp, so they are essentially invisible from the outside.
Compared to the traditional coronal incision, this approach achieves comparable or better results with dramatically smaller incisions.
4. Effects of Brow Lifting
An open, refreshed gaze
The drooped brow lifts, relieving eyelid heaviness and opening the eyes. Hidden double-fold lines may reappear in patients who previously had visible double folds.
Improved forehead wrinkles
With the habit of overusing the frontalis muscle gone, horizontal forehead wrinkles improve naturally — a smooth forehead without relying on botox.
Improved glabellar lines
The muscles producing glabellar (frown) lines are directly weakened, providing a deeper and more lasting improvement than botox.
A brighter, younger impression
Comprehensive improvement of the brow, forehead, and glabella creates a brighter, more youthful look that lasts naturally.
5. Recovery Guide
Recovery time may vary depending on individual health and constitution.
Day 1 after surgery
Drain (if placed) is removed. Dressing change visit. Swelling may be moderate; cold compresses and prescribed medications help.
Day 12 after surgery
Staples within the scalp are removed (D+10 if unavoidable). Most major bruising has resolved.
2 weeks after surgery
Major swelling has mostly subsided; daily life and social activities can resume. Recovery is generally faster than other anti-aging surgeries.
Final Result
Over 1–3 months the residual swelling resolves and the lifted brow settles into a natural, refreshed appearance.
Note: Bruising, swelling, and changes in sensation vary by individual. A return-to-activity plan tailored to your occupation and lifestyle will be discussed during consultation.
Book a Forehead Lift Consultation
Restore an open gaze and a smooth forehead
with ROI Plastic Surgery's safe Endoscopic Forehead Lift.