Procedure guide
Forehead & Brow Lift in Korea
A forehead (brow) lift raises low or heavy brows and softens forehead and frown lines, opening up the upper face. Korean surgeons offer endoscopic (small incisions), hairline/trichophytic, and limited-incision approaches, plus non-surgical brow lifting with threads for milder cases.
| Surgery time | Roughly 1–2 hours (thread lift is shorter) |
|---|---|
| Anesthesia | General anesthesia, or sedation with local |
| Hospital stay | Outpatient to a short overnight |
| Back to routine | About 1–2 weeks |
| Final result | Brow position and sensation settle over months |
General information, not medical advice. Suitability, outcomes, and risks vary by individual — discuss your case with a board-certified surgeon. Seoul Medical Insider matches patients to accredited clinics and does not perform procedures.
How it works
A forehead/brow lift raises the brows and smooths the forehead. The sequence depends on the approach:
- Planning: brow position, hairline, and approach (endoscopic, hairline, or thread) are chosen.
- Anesthesia: general anesthesia, or sedation with local.
- Endoscopic: a few small incisions behind the hairline let a camera and instruments release and re-fix the brow higher; or
- Hairline/open: an incision at or behind the hairline lifts and trims excess forehead skin; thread lifts use sutures under the skin.
- Closing: incisions are sutured or clipped and removed per the surgeon.
Your surgeon picks the approach for your brow and hairline.
Cost · as of 2026
Through Seoul Medical Insider patients pay no markup — accredited-clinic pricing is passed through transparently, and you get a written all-in quote before deciding.
What drives the price: approach (endoscopic vs. hairline vs. thread), whether combined with upper-eyelid surgery, anesthesia, and surgeon.
For current, itemised ranges and how to avoid hidden fees, see our facial-lift guides and all-in cost breakdown. Pricing changes over time — reviewed 2026.
Who it is for
Considered for heavy or sagging brows, deep forehead lines, or a tired upper-face look — often when eyebrow position (not just eyelid skin) is the issue. A surgeon checks brow position, hairline, and skin to choose the approach.
Recovery
- Week 1–2: swelling/bruising around the forehead and eyes; possible scalp numbness; sutures/clips removed per surgeon.
- Weeks 3–6: swelling settles; return to routine.
- Months 1–6: sensation and final brow position settle.
Plan your stay for suture removal and a check. Timelines vary.
Risks & considerations
Possible risks include swelling, bruising, temporary scalp numbness or itching, hairline/scar visibility, asymmetry, a raised hairline, or (rarely) nerve-related changes affecting brow movement. Your surgeon explains risks for the chosen approach. Accredited setting recommended.
Korea trip checklist
- Match the approach (endoscopic vs. hairline vs. thread) to your brow position and hairline.
- Verify the surgeon’s credentials and that the operating clinic is accredited.
- Confirm in writing who performs the surgery (avoid undisclosed substitution / "ghost surgery").
- Get an itemised, all-in quote in writing (surgery, anesthesia, facility, aftercare).
- Arrange medical interpretation and a clear post-op contact for questions back home.
- Plan your stay for suture removal and a follow-up.
Clinical details are summarized from materials provided by SMI's partner clinics and published guidance from the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (KSPRS). Technique selection is determined by your surgeon during consultation. SMI is a registered patient-facilitation agency, not a medical provider, and does not offer medical advice.
Before & after results
See real before-and-after results for this procedure, each naming the accredited Seoul clinic that performed it.
View Forehead & Brow Lift in Korea resultsRelated guides
- Full Facelift in Korea: A Complete Guide for International Patients in 2026 Full facelift in Seoul, 2026: techniques, surgeon credentials, cost ranges, recovery timeline, and how international patients book safely with SMI.
- Thread Lift in Korea: Cost, Results, and Who It's Really For What a thread lift in Korea can and can't do — thread types, typical cost and downtime, how long results last, and the honest line where a surgical lift makes more sense.
- How Long Should You Stay in Korea After Plastic Surgery? A logistics hub for international patients — typical recovery-stay windows by procedure, when you can safely fly home, and the visa and interpreter basics for a trip to Seoul.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
- Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea
- Medical Korea (KHIDI)
- Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI)
- Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (KSPRS)
- International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
Read our editorial policy to learn how we source and verify information.