Direct Brow Lift Shows Durable Results and High Satisfaction in Prospective Study
Key Takeaways
- A prospective study of 41 patients found the direct brow lift produced statistically significant and durable elevation of the brow head and tail through 12 months.
- Patient-reported satisfaction scores improved across all follow-up points, while scar perception scores improved over time.
- The procedure demonstrated minimal positional change at the brow body, suggesting targeted correction primarily at the brow head and tail.
A prospective study published online ahead of print in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery evaluated the long-term efficacy, scar-related outcomes, and patient satisfaction associated with the direct brow lift using the Castanares technique.1
The monocentric study included 41 patients who underwent direct brow lift surgery between September 2020 and April 2024. Concurrent upper blepharoplasty was performed in 35 patients. Investigators assessed brow position using standardized photographic analysis with ImageJ software at baseline (T0), 1 month postoperatively (T1), and 12 months postoperatively (T12).
Objective morphometric analysis demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the distance from the brow tail (point A) and brow head (point C) to the interpupillary line at 1 month after surgery. Although investigators observed a slight decrease in these measurements by 12 months, the changes suggested durable positional stability over time. In contrast, the brow body (point B) showed minimal variation throughout follow-up.
Long-Term Brow Position Stability Observed After Direct Brow Lift
Patient-reported outcomes also improved following the procedure. FACE-Q “Satisfaction with Forehead and Eyebrows” scores increased across all postoperative assessments and patient subgroups. Scar-related perceptions, measured using the SCAR-Q questionnaire, also improved over time, suggesting progressive patient acceptance of postoperative scarring.
The investigators analyzed outcomes using repeated-measures ANOVA. Limitations of the study included its single-center design and relatively small sample size.
“The direct brow lift is a reliable and effective technique for achieving stable, long-term correction of brow ptosis,” the authors wrote. “It demonstrates high patient satisfaction and acceptable scar perception over time.”1
Reference
- Marangi GF, Gratteri M, Porso D, et al. Direct brow lift: a prospective study on aesthetic, long-term efficacy, scar-related outcomes and patient satisfaction. Aesthet Plast Surg. Published online May 18, 2026. doi:10.1007/s00266-026-05909-w