Sub-Brow Lift (Infrabrow Excision Blepharoplasty)

Sub-Brow Lift (Infrabrow Excision Blepharoplasty)

It makes you look younger
Forehead wrinkles are reduced and double eyelids are widened and rejuvenated

Who is sub-brow lift (infrabrow excision blepharoplasty) suitable for?

  1. For those who want to improve eyelid heaviness
  2. For those who wish to reduce eyelid skin coverage
  3. For those who want to look younger
  4. For those who want to widen their double eyelids naturally
  5. For those who wish to lower their eyebrows

Sub-brow lift (infrabrow excision blepharoplasty) explained

Sub-brow lift (infrabrow excision blepharoplasty) is a surgical procedure in which the skin just below the eyebrow is removed to reduce eyelid skin coverage, widen double eyelids, thin bulging eyelids, and give a younger look.

This surgery is suitable for those with heavy, protruding upper eyelids, those who want to widen their double eyelids, those with a single eyelid who want to enlarge their eyes and widen their field of vision, those who have a habit of looking at things with their eyebrows raised, and those who are concerned about wrinkles on their foreheads.
Sub-brow lift lowers the brow and reduces forehead wrinkles. It is also expected to eliminate forehead tension and reduce headaches and stiff shoulders. The eyes are also lighter and easier to open, giving the impression of larger eyes.

As the upper eyelid becomes more saggy, the eyes become hidden, narrowing the field of vision and worsening the appearance of the eye. The forehead muscles (frontalis muscles) are then used to lift the eyebrows upward to widen the field of vision. This can lead to wrinkles on the forehead, a wider distance between the eyebrows and eyelashes, and a hollow appearance above the eyelids.

Other than sub-brow lift, other options for improving this condition include incisional double eyelid surgery and forehead lift. Incisional double eyelid surgery can be difficult because they leave scars on the eyelids, change the impression of the double eyelid, and tend to have slightly longer downtime.
And forehead lift is unsuitable for those who do not want the distance between the eyebrows and eyelashes to become wider.

Sub-brow lift allows the eyes to naturally enlarge and open more easily.
The distance between the eyebrows and eyelashes becomes narrower, creating a more dignified look.
It also improves wrinkles on the forehead.
As an added benefit, many people experience fewer headaches and less shoulder stiffness.
This is because a constantly strained forehead can easily lead to headaches and stiff shoulders.

Features of our sub-brow lift (infrabrow excision blepharoplasty)

  • For local anesthesia, we use 34G ultra-fine needles (needle thickness 0.2mm) to minimize pain.
  • Surface anesthesia and intravenous anesthesia are used for those who are afraid of even the slightest pain.
  • The incision is cut at an angle, making the scar less noticeable.
  • The day after surgery, you can shower, wash your face, and apply make-up except for on your eyebrows.
  • Sutures can be removed on the fourth or fifth day because they are tightly sewn with 4-0 ultra-fine absorbable thread.
    Scarring will be minimal.
  • Skin suturing with transparent thread is also available.
  • You can apply make-up to your eyebrows the day after your stitches are removed.

Surgical method

The excess skin of the upper eyelid is excised along the lower edge of the eyebrow. Depending on the condition, a width of around 10 mm can be excised. A diagonal incision of the skin is performed (wedge incision) to protect the eyebrow follicles of the eyebrows and make the scar less noticeable.
Suturing is performed using absorbable thread to minimize scarring.
For optimal healing, the wound is internally sutured with high-performance absorbable ultra-fine thread and externally sutured with non-absorbable ultra-fine thread.
We also offer skin suturing with ultra-fine transparent thread.

A new and improved sub-brow lift (infrabrow excision blepharoplasty)

Sub-brow lift (infrabrow excision blepharoplasty) has been widely performed using a method where the skin is excised from the area where the inner brow hairline turns laterally, resulting in less visible scarring.
However, when this method is used in surgery, the outer part of the eyebrow may descend from the center, resulting in a “C” shaped eyebrow.
In addition, the results fall short of the desired lifting of excess skin in the medial portion of the upper eyelid.

We have developed a new method that involves skin excision to the inner brow, preserving good brow morphology and providing a balanced lift effect to the inner upper eyelid skin.
This method, the eyebrow-length sub-brow lift is very effective in obtaining a balanced form while lowering the brow.

Sub-brow lift (infrabrow excision blepharoplasty) videos

Aftercare for sub-brow lift (infrabrow excision blepharoplasty)

《After surgery》

Condition of the affected area

The wound is below the eyebrow, it can extend inwards or outwards.
The suture is made with black thread, and the stitches are usually removed in 5-7 days.
Post-operative edema may make the eyelids slightly heavy and difficult to open. Bruising may occur around the eye, but it will usually disappear in 1-2 weeks.
The shape of the eyebrows changes. They may be linear, or falling downwards around the end of the eyebrow.
The double eyelid line also changes depending on the area to be lifted.
It becomes wider, shallower, and laterally shorter.
A skin elevation called dog ear forms at both ends of the wound.
Botulinum toxin can be injected intraoperatively into the forehead (at a 50% discount). This inhibits nerve transmission, suppresses muscle movement, and keeps the wound at rest.

Post-operative checkup and aftercare

You will be examined by the doctor just before you go home after surgery.
Antibiotics, painkillers (the pain is usually mild, but we prescribe them just in case) and gastric medicine will be prescribed for 3 days after surgery.
Improving the eye opening may cause temporary dryness of the eyes. We will prescribe eye drops and an ointment for this.

Lifestyle advice

You can wash your hair and take a shower on the same day after surgery.
Please only wash your face with water, not soap. You can use soap or facial cleansing foam from the next day onwards. However, please do not rub the wound. If the thread gets stuck or it tears, it may bleed. Please do not pick the scab or any other part of the wound, and try to rest.
Please do not apply any make-up to the affected area until the stitches are removed.
Please refrain from taking a bath or doing any strenuous exercise for about a week.
Make-up can be applied after surgery except around the eyebrows.
When sleeping, please use cushions to elevate your upper body and head.
Please refrain from drinking alcohol and smoking for about a week.
Contact lenses can be worn from the day after surgery if there is no discomfort. They certainly can’t be worn 2-3 hours after surgery due to the effects of anesthesia.

《Days 5-7 after surgery》【Please book an appointment for stitches removal】

Condition of the affected area

Swelling will go down in a week or two. Things will completely settle down in about 6 months.
Initially, the scar will be red and raised. The redness and elevation of the scars will vary from person to person, but this will settle down in 1-2 months.
In rare cases, there may be a slight bump, due to sutures or edema.
Bruising may occur around the eye, but it will disappear in 1-2 weeks.
The effect of botulinum toxin injections makes it difficult to elevate the eyebrows. They are used for wound rest.

Post-operative checkup and aftercare

You will be examined by a doctor, and your stitches will be removed.

Lifestyle advice

Eye make-up, skin lotions and creams can be applied after stitches removal.
Please do not rub the eyebrows.
From the 7th day after surgery, you will be able to bathe and exercise as usual.
After removal of stitches, please keep the scar moisturized and UV protected. Our wound cream (1,100 yen inc. tax) can be applied to make the wound less prominent.

《1-3 months after surgery》【It is recommended that you visit for a checkup at this time】

Condition of the affected area

The wound will gradually heal completely, but there will be some swelling for a while.
The redness and elevation of the scars will vary from person to person, but this will settle down in 1-2 months.
If the eyebrow is shaved, the scar will be more noticeable.
In rare cases, the suture thread may come out. Since it is a fine absorbable thread, it can be left untreated in most cases, but if you are concerned about it, we will remove the stitches.

Post-operative checkup and aftercare

You will be examined by a doctor.
There is no post-operative procedure.

Lifestyle advice

Please continue to moisturize and UV-protect your scars.

《6 months after surgery》【It is recommended that you visit for a checkup at this time】

Condition of the affected area

The wound has almost fully healed.

Post-operative checkup and aftercare

You will be examined by a doctor.
There is no post-operative procedure.

Lifestyle advice

You can resume all of your daily activities.

FAQ

How do you manage pain during surgery?

Pain will be minimal because our local anesthetic contains extra agents to reduce any discomfort.
To minimize injection pain, the amount of anesthetic used is kept to a minimum of 1-1.5 cc for both eyelids.
Pain is also minimized by using an ultra-fine 34G needle, as well as a new needle for each eyelid, and by administering the local anesthetic very slowly.
For those who are still afraid of pain, we offer intravenous anesthesia, where you will be unconscious and breathing as usual.

How long will swelling last after surgery?

The swelling around the eyelids will usually go down in 3-4 days.

When can I wear make-up again after surgery?

Make-up can be applied immediately after the surgery except for the wound area.
Stitches are usually removed 4-5 days after surgery.
The day after they are removed, you can apply make-up to your eyebrows.

Will the scars be noticeable?

For 1-3 months after surgery, there will be some redness and stiffness. Redness can be concealed with make-up.
We use sutures with absorbable thread (6-0 PDS) which results in a clean scar.
If you have persistent redness, we will provide appropriate treatment at the post-operative checkup (free of charge).

How do you manage pain after surgery?

Post-operative pain is usually very mild.
We will prescribe a mild analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs just in case.

How long will surgery last?

About 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Is it possible to cure eyelid sagging?

The advantage of sub-brow lift (infrabrow excision blepharoplasty) is that it removes the flabbiness of the skin above the eyelid.
For those who dislike the narrowing of the double eyelid line due to skin covering, sub-brow lift can improve this problem.

Should I practise any post-operative care?

We will prescribe eye drops and eye ointment for dry eyes.

Fees

Sub-brow Lift (Infrabrow Excision Blepharoplasty) ¥385,000

All fees displayed include tax.

Risks and side effects

Underneath is a list of things that may occur.
In order to prevent any of these symptoms from occurring, we take safety measures and perform treatment with the utmost care.
We will always improve your symptoms.

Normal post-operative symptoms

Swelling

Major swelling will go down in 7-10 days after surgery. Any mild swelling will be noticeable for another week or two.
Things will completely settle down in about 6 months.

Bruising

There may be bruising around the eye, but it will disappear in a week or two.

Eyelid discomfort

Immediately after sub-brow lift (infrabrow excision blepharoplasty), the eyelids will feel strange, but this will disappear over time.

Scar redness

You will see some redness for 1-2 months after surgery, but it will become less noticeable over time.
In rare cases, there may be a slight bump.

Risks and complications

Exposure of buried absorbable sutures

If this happens, we will remove them.

Infection

Although rare, there is risk of infection with any surgery.
If infection occurs, it may be necessary to treat it with antibiotics or remove any pus by small incisional drainage.

Change in eyebrow shape

The eyebrows may become linear.
If the eyebrow is shaved or plucked, the scar may stand out more.

Change in double eyelid line

The double eyelid line can become too wide, or too shallow, etc.
Adjustments can be made to correct this.

Changes in eyelid morphology

When the lateral part of the eyebrow is resected, the eyes may appear more slanted.
Adjustments can be made to correct this.

Dry eyes

As the eyelids become larger and the eyes open more easily, they may dry out more.
Eye drops and eye ointment will be prescribed for this.

Dog ear

A skin elevation called dog ear is created at both ends of the suture from excess skin.
The shorter the incision, the more visible the dog ear will be.
By lengthening the incision line, the dog ear will be less noticeable.

Poor eyelid closure

If too much skin is removed, it may be difficult to close the eyelids.
Adjustments can be made to correct this.

Scars

If white, shiny scarring occurs, it may be more noticeable in certain light, and it may make it slightly harder to apply make-up.
The scar may also be red and raised.
The wound is treated with creams, injections, and oral medication.

Supervising Doctor

Under the supervision of our plastic surgeons, we operate our website in accordance with medical advertising guidelines.

NORIHIRO OHBA M.D. Ph.D.
HEAD DIRECTOR/DIRECTOR

Qualifications and Academic Affiliations

Doctor of Medicine
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Board Certified Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon, Japanese Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Board Certified Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon, Japanese Society of Aesthetic Surgery
Anesthesiologist certified by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
Member of International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
International Member of American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Member of Japan Society of Cranio-Maxillo Facial Surgery
Member of Japan Society of Laser Surgery and Medicine

Career

Graduated from Osaka City University Faculty of Medicine, 1996
Osaka City University Hospital Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 1996-1999
Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1999-2003
Osaka City University Hospital Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2003-2005
Sano Memorial Hospital Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2003-2005
Daito Central Hospital Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2003-2005
Ritz Cosmetic Surgery Tokyo Clinic, 2005-2008
Primo Azabujuban Clinic, 2009~
Head Director, Primo Medical Corporation, 2011~
Head Director/Director, Primo Azabujuban Clinic, 2020~