Endoscopic Brow and Temple Lift: Lifting the Upper Third of the Face

When people think of a facelift, they usually picture the jawline and neck. Yet for many, the first change they notice is higher up: brows that sit lower, a heavier look over the eyes, outer corners drooping towards the temples. An endoscopic brow and temple lift addresses exactly this zone. This guide explains what the operation can realistically change, who it suits, how it is done and what recovery looks like.

Signs that the problem sits in the brow, not the eyelids

The upper third of the face ages quietly. Over the years the brows, especially their outer tails, gradually descend. The skin of the upper eyelids then looks fuller, the eyes appear smaller and the face can look tired or stern even when you feel fine. Horizontal forehead lines and frown lines often deepen because people unconsciously lift their brows to open up the eyes.

A simple mirror test helps. Gently lift the outer half of your brows with your fingertips to where they sat in older photos. If the heaviness over the eyes largely disappears, the descent of the brow is a major part of the problem.

Typical signs that point towards the brow:
• the outer ends of the brows sit lower than the inner ends;
• the upper eyelid fold looks crowded mostly at the outer corner;
• you notice that you raise your brows to see better, especially when tired.

If the heaviness remains even with the brows lifted, there may be genuine excess eyelid skin, which a brow lift alone will not remove. This is why an examination matters: a surgeon looks at the whole upper face before recommending a specific operation.

How the endoscopic technique works

An endoscopic brow lift avoids the long incision across the scalp that older techniques used. Instead, the surgeon makes several short incisions hidden behind the hairline. A thin camera, the endoscope, is introduced through one of them, so the surgeon can see the tissues beneath the forehead skin on a screen.

Working through these small openings, the surgeon releases the tissues that hold the brow in its lower position, adjusts the muscles responsible for frown lines where needed and lifts the brow and temple tissue to a higher, natural position. It is then fixed so that it can heal in place. The temple part of the lift is especially useful for the outer tail of the brow and the area beside the eyes.

City Medical Centre in Moscow lists the endoscopic brow and temple lift as one of its four options, alongside a SMAS facelift of the mid and lower face, a full facelift and a lower face and neck lift. On its facelift page with all four surgical options the clinic states that operations are done under general (inhalation) anaesthesia, with an inpatient stay that includes round-the-clock monitoring and meals.

Because the incisions are short and hidden in the hair, the scars are usually hard to see once healed.

What a brow lift can and cannot change

Being clear about the limits is the best protection against disappointment. An endoscopic brow and temple lift works on the upper third of the face. It can raise and reshape the brows, open up the area around the eyes, soften horizontal forehead lines and frown lines, and lift the outer corner of the eye region.

It does not treat:
• jowls, a loose jawline or neck skin, which belong to the lower face and neck;
• deep nasolabial folds and marionette lines, which relate to the mid and lower face;
• large amounts of excess upper eyelid skin, which may need a separate eyelid operation;
• fine skin texture and pigmentation, which are skin-care questions rather than surgical ones.

For some people the brow lift is the whole answer, often relatively early, when ageing shows mainly around the eyes. Others have changes at several levels. In that case the surgeon may suggest a full facelift, which covers the forehead, temples, mid and lower face and neck. City Medical Centre says a facelift can sometimes be combined with other surgery, decided at the consultation.

A natural result means a brow that sits where it did years ago, not a permanently surprised expression. Ask the surgeon to show you, using your own photos, how high they intend to lift and why.

Recovery: the first weeks after an endoscopic brow lift

The clinic describes a common recovery pattern for its facelift procedures: 7–10 days of rest with a compression bandage and reduced activity, swelling and bruising that fade over two to four weeks, the first clear changes after three to four weeks, a final look at three to six months and full recovery in about two months.

For the brow area, a few specific points are worth knowing. Swelling often moves downwards with gravity, so bruising may appear around the eyes even though the surgery was higher up. Sleeping with the head raised helps. The scalp and forehead may feel numb or tight for some time; sensation usually returns gradually as the nerves recover.

Practical tips for the first fortnight:
• plan quiet time and avoid bending, lifting and strenuous exercise until the surgeon allows it;
• follow the instructions on washing your hair and caring for the incisions exactly;
• use cool compresses only as advised;
• arrange help for the first few days, especially if you are recovering away from home.

As with any operation, complications are possible, such as bleeding, infection, temporary weakness of forehead movement, asymmetry or hair thinning near an incision. Ask how the surgeon prevents them and what happens if one occurs.

Price, follow-up and planning from abroad

At the time of writing (October 2026), City Medical Centre lists all four facelift options, including the endoscopic brow and temple lift, from $2,400. The final cost is set after an examination, and 0% in-house instalments are available. The price for your case depends on the exact scope, for example whether the brow lift is done on its own or together with another procedure.

The clinic offers a free first consultation and includes a year of follow-up by the operating surgeon. It states that the effect of its facelift procedures usually lasts 7–10 years, although skin quality, lifestyle and genetics always play a part. Surgery of this kind is usually recommended from around 40, sometimes from 35, and the decision is made individually.

If you are travelling from abroad, the clinic's facelift information for patients in Toronto is a useful starting point. Before booking, prepare:
• recent photos of your face from the front and side, plus one from about ten years ago;
• a list of medicines, supplements and previous operations;
• your main concern, written down in one sentence.

Ask how long you should stay after surgery for the early check-ups; the clinic does not publish a fixed number of days, so the coordinator and the surgeon will advise. Then decide once the plan, the scope and the price are all clear.