Sub-Brow Lift vs Endoscopic Brow Lift

How do the sub-brow lift and endoscopic brow lift compare?

Sub-brow lift vs endoscopic brow lift is a question of where the heaviness begins. Some people have a brow that sits well but excess lid skin that folds over the lashes, especially at the outer third. Others have brows that have descended, which pushes skin down onto the lid and makes the forehead work constantly to keep the eyes clear.

How the sub-brow lift works

In a sub-brow lift, an ellipse of skin is removed just below the lower edge of the eyebrow. Closing this gap shortens the vertical length of upper-lid skin without touching the crease itself. It is particularly useful in thick lids, where removing skin close to the lash line can leave a heavy-looking crease. Because the scar follows the brow margin, it is usually camouflaged well, though people who tattoo or shape their brows should mention this at consultation.

How the endoscopic brow lift works

In an endoscopic forehead and brow lift, small incisions are made within the hairline. A thin camera allows Dr. Kim to release the tissues holding the brow down along the upper orbital rim, soften the muscles that pull it downward, and lift the brow and forehead as a unit. The tissue is fixed at its new height while it heals. This changes brow position rather than lid skin alone.

Which should I choose?

• Where does your brow sit? A brow at or below the bony rim suggests a brow lift.
• Is your forehead working hard? Chronic brow raising and horizontal lines point toward brow descent. See droopy eyebrows.
• Is the heaviness mostly at the outer lid? Lateral hooding with a good brow often suits a sub-brow lift.
• How much downtime can you take? The sub-brow lift is shorter and done under local anesthesia.

When does combining make sense?

A brow lift raises the brow, and sometimes excess lid skin remains afterward. In such cases, a lid procedure can be added then or later. Combining a sub-brow lift with an endoscopic brow lift in the same sitting is uncommon, because lifting the brow changes how much lid skin needs removing. A staged approach, deciding lid skin after the brow has settled, is often more precise.

What does recovery look like?

After a sub-brow lift, swelling and bruising usually settle within one to two weeks, and sutures are typically removed around day five to seven. After an endoscopic brow lift, the forehead may feel tight and swollen for two to three weeks, and bruising can track down to the eyelids. Numbness or tingling in the scalp is common and can take months to resolve. Our forehead lift recovery guide describes the stages; your surgeon will confirm your timeline.

Why brow position changes the whole eye

The brow and the upper eyelid behave as one unit. When the brow descends, it pushes skin down onto the lid, making the eye look hooded even if the lid itself has changed little. Many people then raise their brows all day without noticing, which tires the forehead and deepens horizontal lines. Removing lid skin in this situation can make the brow drop further once the forehead no longer needs to lift it.

On the other hand, when the brow is already in a good position, lifting it can create a surprised, unfamiliar expression. The aim is to find the true source of the heaviness. Our hooded eyes page explains how these patterns look in everyday life and why the same appearance can have different causes.

What are the risks?

Sub-brow lift risks include a visible scar, asymmetry, and a slight change in brow shape if the brow is pulled downward during closure. Endoscopic brow lift risks include asymmetric brow height, temporary or, rarely, lasting numbness, hair thinning at incision sites, and nerve weakness affecting brow movement, which is usually temporary. Individual results vary.

How Dr. Kim decides at consultation

Dr. Kim asks you to relax your forehead completely, then observes where your brows settle relative to the bony orbital rim. He assesses lid skin thickness, the outer hooding, and how the crease would look after each option. He will explain which structure is causing the heaviness and which procedure addresses it directly. If both the brow and the lid contribute, he will describe the order in which they are most sensibly addressed and why, including what each step would change on its own, so you can weigh one procedure now against a staged plan. The decision remains yours, made with clear information.