Brow Lift
A gentle lift to the brow and eye area, without surgery.
- Treatment time
- 30–45 minutes
- Results
- Immediate lift; refines over 2–3 months
- Longevity
- Typically 6–12 months
- Downtime
- 2–3 days; gentle care for 2 weeks
- Price
- £250
About Brow Lift
In a thread brow lift, short lifting threads are placed just above the outer end of the brow to raise it and open up the eyes. A stronger lift gives what's known as a 'fox eye' or 'cat eye' look; a gentler one simply makes you look fresher and more awake. It's an option when an anti-wrinkle brow lift doesn't give enough lift, and when you'd rather avoid surgery.
John only offers this after assessing you. The anatomy around the brow and temple is delicate, and he'll recommend it only where it suits your features.
Before & after
Key Benefits
- 01Raises the outer brow and opens up the eyes
- 02Eases a heavy or hooded appearance
- 03Adjustable from a gentle lift to a lifted 'cat eye' look
- 04No operation and no scars
- 05Encourages collagen around the temple and brow
- 06Can be paired with anti-wrinkle brow treatment for a balanced look
Is this treatment right for me?
Brow threads are a good fit if the outer brows have dropped, or if you want a more lifted, open look around the eyes than an injectable lift can give by itself. Whether they suit you depends on where your brows sit, how thick your skin is and the shape of your temples, which John checks at consultation.
You may be suitable if…
- The outer ends of your brows sit low or look heavy
- You want your eyes to look more open
- An anti-wrinkle brow lift didn't give you enough lift
- Your skin has a fair amount of thickness and elasticity
Your consultation will consider…
- The amount of looseness in the skin and how much lift threads can honestly deliver
- How thick and healthy your skin is, since threads hold best where the skin has some support
- Which approach looks most natural for you: filler, threads or a mix
- Your health history, current medication and anything you've had done in the area before
What to expect
Before treatment
Your first appointment is a consultation with John, who looks at how much lift is achievable, which threads suit the area, and whether threads, filler or both will serve you best. If it's safe for you, stop alcohol, aspirin, ibuprofen and blood-thinning supplements for a week before treatment, and leave at least two weeks between dental work and your appointment.
During treatment
After cleansing and marking the area, John numbs it with local anaesthetic injections so you stay comfortable throughout. Each thread goes in beneath the skin through a fine needle or cannula and is set in place to lift or support the tissue. The entry points are tiny and don't need stitches. Most sessions last 45–60 minutes. For the brows, short lifting threads go in at the temple and are set to raise the outer brow on each side. It's faster than a full-face lift, at around 30–45 minutes.
After treatment
The lift shows straight away, together with some swelling and a feeling of tightness. For a few days the area can feel sore or a little pulled while the threads bed in. John talks you through aftercare and arranges a review appointment.
Watch
See this treatment in the clinic, in short videos on John’s aesthetics site, Trusted Touch Aesthetics.
Watch 10 videos →Results & longevity
The lift is visible as soon as the tissue is moved back into place, and it looks its best once the swelling has gone down, usually after two to three weeks. Across the next two to three months, the threads trigger collagen around them, so the result becomes firmer and more refined. Although the threads dissolve within about six months, the collagen they leave keeps the effect going for typically six to twelve months, and sometimes longer. How long it lasts depends on the type of thread, the quality of your skin and your age.
Recovery, side effects & aftercare
In the first week, threads ask for a bit more care than injectable treatments. Expect swelling, tenderness and a tight feeling, and possibly some bruising where the threads went in. Most people feel fine to go back to work after a day or two, and everything has fully settled by two to three weeks.
Side effects
You should expect swelling, bruising, soreness and a tight or tugging feeling, all of which fade over a few weeks. The skin can sometimes dimple or pucker along a thread; this usually smooths out by itself. Now and then the end of a thread can be felt or seen, and a small adjustment fixes it. Less common risks are infection, a thread shifting, or the two sides looking uneven for a while as they settle at different speeds. Nerve irritation is rare and normally passes.
Aftercare
During week one, sleep on your back with your head propped up, keep mouth movements small, skip chewing gum and very hard foods, and leave the area alone rather than rubbing or massaging it. For two weeks, steer clear of hard exercise, saunas, steam rooms and sunbeds. Hold off on facials and dental work for three to four weeks. Keep the entry points clean and wear SPF every day.
Get in touch with the clinic if pain is getting worse, redness or warmth is spreading, an entry point is weeping, a thread end has become visible, or any dimpling is still there after two weeks.
- Downtime
- 2–3 days of swelling and tenderness
- Redness
- Mild at entry points
- Swelling
- Common for 3–7 days
- Bruising
- Possible, fades within 1–2 weeks
- Normal activities
- Light activity next day; no strenuous exercise for 1–2 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
How much lift should I expect?
A few millimetres at the outer end of the brow, which makes a clear difference to how the eyes look. The amount can be adjusted, so let John know whether you'd like it subtle or more defined.
Should I choose threads or an anti-wrinkle brow lift?
Anti-wrinkle treatment relaxes the muscles that drag the brow down, giving a gentle lift. Threads raise the brow physically and give more lift. You can also have both.
Will it hurt?
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic, so during treatment you'll notice pressure and movement rather than pain. Expect it to feel sore for a few days afterwards.
How long will the lift last?
The threads themselves dissolve over roughly six months, yet the collagen they trigger keeps the lift in place. Most results last six to twelve months, and sometimes more, depending on the type of thread, your skin and your age.
Where do the threads go?
PDO is the material used in dissolvable surgical stitches. Your body slowly breaks it down and absorbs it over about six months, and new collagen is left behind where it sat.
How soon can I return to work?
Most people need a day or two off. After that, swelling and any bruises can usually be covered with make-up, but leave two weeks before an important event.
Your Practitioner
John Dixon
Founder & Aesthetician
John founded Banana Beauty Lab and runs his aesthetics practice, Trusted Touch Aesthetics, here. He specialises in facial balancing and harmonisation, alongside wrinkle reduction and skin rejuvenation. His training is CPD-certified, he is fully insured, and is known for taking the time to assess your face properly, explaining every option honestly and never over-treating — the aim is always a natural result that still looks like you. Clients regularly mention his calm manner, attention to detail and the aftercare follow-up that checks in on how you're healing.