Will I have pain after a brow lift?
⚠️ When to contact your surgeon
If you experience severe or worsening pain, unusual swelling, signs of infection such as redness, warmth, or discharge at the incision site, or any sudden vision changes after a brow lift, contact your surgeon right away or go to an emergency room.
Short answer
Some pain after a brow lift is normal, but most patients find it manageable and short-lived. About 89% of patients needed pain relievers for less than one week after an endoscopic brow lift, and surgeons have many effective tools to keep discomfort under control.
What the research shows
A survey of 57 patients who had an endoscopic brow lift found that the vast majority tolerated recovery well: 89% needed pain medication for less than one week, and 96% said they would recommend the procedure to others [6]. This suggests that while some discomfort is expected, it tends to be mild and brief for most people.
Surgeons recognize that managing post-operative pain well is important. A review focused specifically on brow lift and other facial rejuvenation procedures outlined a range of options including long-acting local anesthetics, intravenous acetaminophen, anti-inflammatory medications like ketorolac, and newer drug delivery systems. Using several of these approaches together, called multimodal pain management, can significantly reduce discomfort and may lower the need for stronger opioid medications [1].
Pain medications after surgery
When stronger relief is needed, opioid pain pills are sometimes prescribed after a brow lift. A survey of surgeons found that attending physicians prescribed an average of about 13 opioid pills following a brow lift [3]. However, modern pain management aims to minimize opioid use by combining different types of medications and techniques, so many patients may need fewer or none at all [1].
What this means for you
Most people recover from a brow lift with manageable discomfort that improves within the first week. Your surgeon can tailor a pain management plan to your needs using a variety of safe and effective options. Be sure to ask your surgeon ahead of time what to expect and what medications will be prescribed, so you feel prepared and comfortable going into surgery [1] [6].
What to ask your surgeon
- What pain management plan do you use for brow lift patients?
- Will I need opioid medications, or are there alternatives?
- How long should I expect soreness to last?
- What level of pain would be a reason to call your office?