Forehead Lift in Turkey
Forehead lift in Turkey: an open (hairline or coronal) lift that raises the whole brow, smooths deep horizontal forehead lines by treating the muscle, and can lower a high hairline; 1 hospital night and 5 hotel nights. Versus endoscopic brow lift, recovery, risks.
Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia
Operation time
1.5–2.5 hours
Hospital / hotel
1 night / 5 nights
Stay in Turkey
6 nights (1 hospital + 5 hotel)
Back to work
Desk work in 10–14 days
Package price
€1,200
What Forehead Lift involves
A forehead lift is the open version of brow surgery: through a longer incision either along the front hairline or across the top of the scalp within the hair, the forehead skin and muscle are lifted as a flap, the muscles that create horizontal lines and frown lines are weakened directly under vision, the brows are raised and the excess forehead skin is removed. It gives a more complete and more durable result than the endoscopic brow lift for patients with heavy brows, deep forehead lines and a lot of loose forehead skin, at the cost of a longer scar and more scalp numbness.
The choice of incision is important. A hairline (trichophytic) incision, cut at an angle so hair grows through the scar, is used when the forehead is tall or the hairline high — it lifts the brow without raising the hairline further, and can even lower it. A coronal incision within the hair, running from ear to ear over the top of the head, is hidden completely but raises the hairline by the amount of skin removed, so it suits a low, stable hairline.
What a forehead lift does not do: it does not treat the eyelids (blepharoplasty is often combined), it does not change the mid or lower face, and in men with thinning hair or a receding hairline the scar may become visible over time — the endoscopic approach is usually preferred for them.
Scars: Along the front hairline (trichophytic) or across the top of the scalp within the hair (coronal)
Who it suits — and who it does not
Good candidates
- ✓Heavy, low brows with deep horizontal forehead lines and frown lines that a smaller lift would not address
- ✓A lot of loose forehead skin, typically over 55
- ✓A high forehead or hairline that you would like lowered — the hairline approach does both
- ✓A stable, full hairline (coronal approach) or a wish to lower it (hairline approach)
- ✓Non-smokers in good general health
Usually advised against
- –Mild brow descent with few lines — the endoscopic or temporal brow lift is enough with less scarring
- –Men with thinning hair or a receding hairline, where a scar may become exposed
- –A very low hairline where a coronal approach would raise it unacceptably
- –Keloid-prone skin
- –Smokers unwilling to stop
Techniques and options
Trichophytic (hairline) forehead lift
The incision runs along the front hairline, bevelled so hair grows through and camouflages the scar. The forehead flap is lifted down to the brows, muscles treated, the brow raised, and the excess forehead skin removed from the top — which shortens a tall forehead. The hairline does not move up and can be brought down.
Coronal forehead lift
The incision runs from ear to ear across the top of the scalp, several centimetres behind the hairline, entirely within the hair. The flap is lifted to the brows, muscles treated, and a strip of scalp removed to lift the brow. The scar is invisible; the hairline rises by roughly the width removed.
Muscle treatment under direct vision
The frontalis (horizontal lines), corrugators (vertical frown lines) and procerus (the line across the top of the nose) are weakened or partly removed while the surgeon sees them, which gives a lasting reduction in lines that injectables can only reproduce temporarily.
Brow shaping
The brow is set at the bony rim with the outer end slightly higher; the surgeon can adjust the two sides independently to correct asymmetry.
Combined procedures
Upper blepharoplasty is commonly added, done after the brow is lifted so only genuinely surplus lid skin is removed. A facelift can be combined in the same session within safe operating time.
What happens on surgery day
- 1
Assessment before travel: photos from the front in neutral expression, with eyes closed, raising the brows, frowning, and from the side, plus a view of the hairline. The surgeon chooses hairline or coronal and confirms an open lift is warranted rather than endoscopic.
- 2
Admission on the morning of surgery after fasting. Blood tests, ECG and anaesthetic review. Markings sitting up; hair is parted and taped, not shaved.
- 3
Under general anaesthesia, the incision is made, the forehead flap lifted to the brows, muscles treated, brows positioned and fixed, excess skin or scalp removed, and the incision closed in layers with staples or sutures. Small drains are occasionally used for 24 hours.
- 4
A light head dressing; one night in hospital for comfort and observation.
- 5
Discharge to the hotel the next morning. Clinic visits at days 5–7 and 10–12 for staple or suture removal and the fit-to-fly report.
Recovery timeline
Days 1–3
Tightness across the forehead, swelling and bruising around the eyes, a dull headache; regular painkillers. Head elevated, cold compresses. Scalp numbness behind the incision is expected.
Days 5–12
Staples or sutures removed in stages. Bruising fading. Gentle hair washing from day 3. Fit-to-fly check after the last removal.
Weeks 2–3
Swelling largely gone; desk work resumes. Scalp numbness, itching and occasional tingling as nerves recover. The brow looks slightly high — expected.
Weeks 4–6
Brow settles to its final position. Light exercise resumes. Hairline scar pink and covered by hair growing through it.
Months 3–12
Final result by 3 months; scalp sensation returns over months, sometimes longer; scar matures over 12 months.
Results — and their limits
Brows at a natural height, open eyes, a smooth forehead with softened horizontal and frown lines, and — with the hairline approach — a shorter forehead. The whole upper face looks rested.
The open lift is the most durable brow procedure; the result lasts many years and the muscle work is lasting.
The eyelids are unchanged unless blepharoplasty was combined; the mid and lower face are unchanged.
The hairline scar is camouflaged by hair growing through it and is difficult to see once healed; the coronal scar is within the hair. Scalp numbness is the most common lasting change and usually improves over months.
When it is final: Swelling settles over 4–6 weeks; final position at 3 months; scars mature over 12 months
Risks and how they are managed
Every operation carries risk. These are the ones that matter for this procedure, and what is done to reduce, spot or treat each.
Scalp numbness, itching or altered sensation
Expected behind the incision for months, and a strip can remain less sensitive permanently with the coronal approach; the hairline approach preserves more sensation.
Visible hairline scar or hair loss along the incision
Bevelled trichophytic incision so hair grows through; careful closure; temporary shedding regrows.
Raised hairline (coronal)
Discussed and planned; the hairline approach is chosen when the forehead is already tall.
Over-lifting or a surprised look
Conservative positioning to the bony rim with settling planned for.
Temporary forehead weakness
Uncommon with careful dissection; recovers over weeks.
Asymmetry
Independent adjustment of each side; minor revision possible after 6 months.
Haematoma, infection
Blood thinners stopped, drains where used, antibiotic cover; prompt review of increasing swelling.
Package and cost
€1,200
One fixed price for the operation and a 6-night stay: 1 hospital night and 5 hotel nights. No deposit surprises, no add-ons for anaesthesia or medication.
Included
- ✓Consultation with the operating plastic surgeon and choice of hairline or coronal approach
- ✓Pre-operative blood tests, ECG and anaesthetic assessment
- ✓Open forehead lift with muscle treatment under general anaesthesia in a hospital operating theatre
- ✓1 night in hospital with nursing care and medication
- ✓5 nights in a 4- or 5-star hotel in Kuşadası
- ✓Private transfers between airport, hospital, clinic and hotel
- ✓Dressings, staged staple or suture removal, wound checks and fit-to-fly report
- ✓12 months of remote photo follow-up
Not included
- –Flights and travel insurance
- –Upper blepharoplasty or facelift if combined — quoted as a package
- –Scar treatment beyond the first supply
How to compare this with a quote at home
Ask any clinic for the same list: surgeon and anaesthetist fees, hospital nights, tests, medication, garments or splints, follow-up visits. A cheaper headline price usually excludes several of these. Then add your flights and insurance to our price for a like-for-like comparison.
How to prepare
- 1.Send photos from the front in neutral expression, with eyes closed, raising the brows and frowning, from the side, and a clear view of your hairline.
- 2.Stop smoking 4 weeks before and after; stop aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E and herbal supplements 14 days before.
- 3.Colour your hair before you travel; no colouring for 6 weeks after. Wash it the night before.
- 4.Bring sunglasses, a soft hat for later in recovery, and front-opening tops; arrange 6 nights in Turkey and 10–14 days off desk work.
Aftercare at home
- •Head elevated for a week; cold compresses to the eyes for 48 hours.
- •No pressure on the forehead or incision — no tight hats or headbands, no sleeping face-down — for 3 weeks.
- •Gentle hair washing from day 3; no colouring or heat styling near the scar for 6 weeks.
- •No strenuous exercise or bending for 2 weeks; SPF on the forehead and any exposed scar for 12 months.
- •Report increasing one-sided swelling, pain, discharge or fever. Photos at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 and 12 months.
Frequently asked questions
Forehead lift or endoscopic brow lift?
Where is the scar and will it show?
Will my hairline move?
Will it remove my forehead lines?
How long is the scalp numb?
Will I look surprised?
Can I combine it with eyelid surgery?
When can I fly home?
What is included in the price?
Often considered alongside
Free assessment
Send your details; a coordinator replies with a surgeon’s opinion and a written plan.