Skip navigation

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/presentations/100020.htm

Forehead lift - series—Procedure

Procedure

Overview

Many surgeons used local infiltration anesthesia combined with a sedative, so the patient is awake but sleepy and insensitive to pain. Some patients request a general anesthesia, so they will sleep through the operation.

Sections of hair will be held away from the operative area. Hair immediately in front of the incision line may need to be trimmed but the head will not need to be shaved.

The incision is made at the level of the ears and continues across the top of the forehead at the hairline. This avoids making the forehead appear too high. If the patient is bald or balding, the surgeon may utilize a mid-scalp incision, eliminating a visible scar.

The forehead skin is elevated and measured for removal of excess tissue, skin, and muscle. The incision is closed with stitches or staples. This procedure may also be done using an endoscopic with a smaller incision.

Review Date 12/10/2021

Updated by: Tang Ho, MD, Associate Professor, Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Related MedlinePlus Health Topics