What a brow lift does
The eyebrows are not fixed in place: with age, gravity and the gradual loosening of the forehead tissues, they slowly descend – usually more at the outer tail than at the inner end. As they drop, they push skin down onto the upper eyelids, and the forehead muscle works constantly to hold them up, which deepens horizontal lines. A brow lift repositions the brow and forehead tissues to a higher, more natural position and fixes them there.
Botox can soften frown and forehead lines temporarily and even give a slight lift to the tail of the brow, but its effect wears off after a few months. A brow lift, by contrast, repositions the tissue lastingly. The brow lift page of New City Clinic notes that it is often planned together with upper eyelid surgery, because the two problems frequently coexist.
Who is a good candidate?
A brow lift suits people whose eyebrows have dropped, making the upper eyelids look heavy or the face look tired, sad or cross, and those with deep horizontal forehead lines or a furrowed frown. A simple test: look in the mirror, relax your forehead completely and then gently lift your brows with your fingertips. If the "lifted" face looks more like you, a brow lift may be relevant.
It is important to distinguish brow descent from excess eyelid skin:
- If the problem is mainly excess eyelid skin with the brow in a good position, upper eyelid surgery alone may be enough.
- If the brow itself has dropped, eyelid surgery cannot lift it and may even pull the brow lower – a brow lift, often combined with eyelid surgery, is the answer.
- If you want only the outer corner of the eye and the tail of the brow lifted for an almond shape, cat eye surgery may suit you better.
Good candidates are healthy, non-smokers and want a natural, open look rather than a permanently surprised expression.
Endoscopic and other brow lift techniques
| Technique | Incision | Typically used when |
|---|---|---|
| Endoscopic brow lift | A few small incisions hidden in the hair, with a camera guiding the release | Most patients with a normal hairline |
| Hairline (pretrichial) lift | Along the front hairline | A high forehead that should not become higher |
| Temporal / lateral lift | Small incision in the temple hairline | Mainly the tail of the brow has dropped |
| Transblepharoplasty brow fixation | Within the upper eyelid crease | Mild descent, combined with eyelid surgery |
In an endoscopic lift, the tissues of the forehead are released and lifted through access points of about a centimetre or two, then secured in their new position. The aim is a natural arch, not a raised, startled look. Your surgeon chooses the technique according to your hairline, forehead height and brow shape.
Your brow lift in Istanbul, step by step
- Free assessment. Send front and side photos of your face with your forehead relaxed, and one with your brows raised, plus your health history. A doctor reviews them and New City Clinic sends a written plan and quote, usually within 24 hours.
- Arrival. You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
- Examination. Consultation, blood tests and anaesthetic assessment. The new brow position is planned and marked.
- Surgery. About 1–2 hours under general anaesthesia at a licensed partner hospital. Most patients go back to the hotel the same day or after one night.
- Check-up. Dressings and incisions are checked before you fly.
- Home. Total stay of about 6–8 days in Türkiye, with follow-up by photo and video call.
The four-hour flight to the UK or Ireland is usually comfortable. Practical tips are in our trip planning guide.
Recovery
After a brow lift the forehead feels tight and numb, and there may be a mild headache. Swelling can travel downwards towards the eyes in the first days and cause some bruising around them – sleeping with the head raised and cool compresses help. Hair can usually be washed after a few days, as instructed.
- First days: rest, head elevated, avoid bending and heavy lifting.
- Days 7–10: swelling largely settles.
- About ten days: return to desk work.
- Four weeks: sport and exercise resumed.
- Around three months: the brows reach their final position; numbness of the scalp may take longer to fade.
Itching of the scalp during healing is normal and a sign that the nerves are recovering.
Risks
Swelling, bruising, tenderness and numbness of the forehead and scalp are expected. Possible complications include infection, bleeding, asymmetry of the brows, prolonged numbness or itching, hair thinning around the incisions, temporary weakness of forehead movement and over- or under-correction. Every procedure carries risk; your surgeon explains your personal risks at the examination.
The most important aesthetic risk is an over-lifted, surprised look, which is why the lift is planned conservatively. Results vary with anatomy and healing and cannot be guaranteed. For the checks worth making before surgery abroad, see our safety guide.
Brow lift price and package
A brow lift is quoted individually, because the cost depends on the technique and whether it is combined with eyelid surgery or a facelift. For orientation, eyelid surgery has an illustrative package price of €3,300 and a facelift €3,000 with New City Clinic. Flights are not included.
The package normally includes surgery at an authorised partner hospital, hospital accommodation if needed, hotel, airport–hotel–hospital transfers, pre-operative tests where specified, a coordinator and interpreter, and complication insurance. Privately in the UK and Ireland, a brow lift is often quoted at approximately £5,000 to £8,000 or more – an indication only. Compare on our prices page and the New City Clinic price list.
Combining a brow lift with other facial procedures
Because ageing affects the face as a whole, a brow lift is frequently combined: with upper eyelid surgery when there is both brow descent and excess lid skin; with a facelift to rejuvenate the upper and lower face in harmony; or with fat transfer to the temples. One recovery period is convenient, but a longer operation is not always the wiser choice – the surgeon weighs both after examining you.
Why we recommend New City Clinic as the best clinic in Turkey for a brow lift
For us, the best option in Istanbul for a brow lift is New City Clinic – not because of slogans, but because of facts you can verify yourself. New City Clinic is authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health and registered with HealthTürkiye, holds TÜRSAB licence no. 17659 and is certified to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27001:2022, ISO 10002:2018 and ISO 31000:2018 (see the New City Clinic certificates). Patients looking for the best clinic in Turkey for a forehead lift also value what comes with every New City Clinic quote: a licensed partner hospital named in writing, a specialist surgeon, complication insurance, an itemised price and a coordinator who stays with them throughout.
New City Clinic is a health-tourism agency in Bakırköy, Istanbul, authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health (HealthTürkiye) and licensed by TÜRSAB (no. 17659). Operations are performed by specialist surgeons – such as Op. Dr. Fatih Kılıç, plastic, reconstructive and oncological surgeon – at licensed partner hospitals including Acıbadem, Medipol and Medical Park.
You receive the hospital and surgeon's name in writing with an itemised quote, a coordinator who speaks your language looks after you in Istanbul, and follow-up continues remotely. The agency's licences are on our licences and certificates page, and the partner hospitals of New City Clinic are described on the clinic's site.
Request your free brow lift quote
Send New City Clinic front and profile photos with your forehead relaxed and one with your brows raised, and tell us what bothers you – heavy lids, forehead lines or a tired look. A doctor reviews them free of charge and explains whether a brow lift, eyelid surgery or both suit you. A written quote usually follows within 24 hours via the form or WhatsApp.
Choosing the best plastic surgeon in Istanbul and the best clinic in Turkey is a personal decision – take your time, ask questions and compare written plans. When you are ready, the Brow lift page of New City Clinic and the New City Clinic team on WhatsApp are one message away.
Frequently asked questions
Brow lift or eyelid surgery – which do I need?
If the brow itself has dropped, an eyelid operation alone cannot lift it. If the brow is in a good position and the problem is excess lid skin, eyelid surgery may be enough. The surgeon assesses which you need, and the two are often combined.
Will the scars be visible after a brow lift?
With the endoscopic technique, the incisions are small and hidden in the hair. A hairline lift leaves a fine scar along the front hairline, which usually fades well.
How long do I stay in Istanbul for a brow lift?
Usually about 6 to 8 days. Most patients go home the same day or after one night in hospital, and the surgeon checks you before you fly.
When can I go back to work after a brow lift?
Desk work is usually possible within about ten days, once the swelling has largely settled. Sport is resumed after about four weeks.
Is a brow lift better than Botox?
They do different things. Botox softens lines temporarily and can slightly lift the brow tail for a few months. A brow lift repositions the tissue lastingly. Many people use Botox first and consider surgery when the effect is no longer enough.
Will I look surprised after a brow lift?
The aim is a natural, open look, not a surprised expression. The lift is planned conservatively and the new brow position is marked with you before surgery.
How much does a brow lift cost in Turkey?
It is quoted individually after a free medical assessment, because the price depends on the technique and any combined procedures. New City Clinic sends you an itemised written quote; flights are not included.
When will I see the final result?
The first change is visible as swelling settles; the brows reach their final position in about three months. Results vary and cannot be guaranteed.
