How Much Does A Brow Lift Cost?

Content Reviewed by AEDIT Medical Advisory Board

What is the average cost of a brow lift?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the average cost of a brow lift (a.k.a. browplasty or forehead lift) procedure in 2020 averaged between $3,400 to $3,900, but there are other possible expenses (more on them below!) that should be considered when booking a procedure.

• Average Cost of a Brow Lift: $3,400 - $3,900
• Price Range for Brow Lift: $250 - $14,000

Candidates considering a surgical or non-surgical brow lift will find it beneficial to understand the various factors that affect the price of a cosmetic procedure. The table below offers an outline of potential factors that will contribute to the final cost.

Factors to Consider in the Total Cost of a Brow Lift Procedure

| Cost Factor | Explanation | | ---------- | ---------- | | Type of Brow Lift | Surgical vs. Non-Surgical | | Provider | Training, experience, specialty | | Consultation Fee | May or may not be applied towards procedure cost | | Anesthesiologist Fee | Training, experience | | Location | Facility fees vary by region | | Recovery Expenses | Special equipment, follow ups, etc. |

What is the difference between a surgical and non-surgical brow lift?

The largest consideration in the cost of a brow lift is the type of procedure you undergo. As you would expect, non-surgical brow lift procedures, like a chemical brow lift with [neurotoxin (read: Botox®)](https://aedit.com/procedure/botox "Neurotoxin Botox Options"), will be less expensive than a surgical procedure. A non-surgical brow lift eliminates the need for some high cost factors of surgical procedures (think: facility fees and anesthesia fees) with the trade off of results intensity and longevity.

It should be noted that certain surgical brow lifts may be performed without general anesthesia, which would likely mean they are less expensive than a full surgical brow lift due to the lack of anesthesiologist fees and, possibly, reduced facility fees associated with an outpatient surgeon's office versus an inpatient surgical center.

What affects the cost of a brow lift?

It’s time to look more specifically at the variables we introduced in the first table. Just to reiterate, the information here is a general estimate. Consultations with providers always provides the most accurate assessment of the probable cost of your brow lift.

That being said, the information below can help you to better understand the questions to ask and factors to consider when going into a consultation so you can feel empowered and informed throughout your cosmetic experience.

• Non-Surgical vs. Surgical: On average, non-surgical procedures cost less than surgical procedures. They are less involved, do not necessitate general anesthesia, and have less facility fees.
• Provider: A more experienced, board certified plastic surgeon or specialized provider will most likely charge more for their skills, which may lead to higher consultation fees (that may or may not be applied as a credit towards the cost of the actual procedure) and a higher procedure cost.
• Anesthesiologist: Like the surgeon, training, education, and experience will influence cost. General anesthesia requires more expertise and is more expensive than local anesthesia. Most local anesthetics do not need to be administered by an anesthesiologist.
• Location: Let’s just be real and acknowledge everything is more expensive on the coasts. This is of course true of plastic and cosmetic procedures as well. The 2020 ASPS Report breaks procedures down by regions. The east and west coasts accounted for high percentage of all brow lifts performed in 2020. More procedures makes for more experienced providers makes for higher procedure costs.
• Recovery: Brow lift recovery will vary considerably by procedure type. Recovery may include prescriptions, recovery garments, follow ups, and time off from work.

There are numerous types of brow lifts and the most appropriate procedure for a candidate will be dependent on the individual’s unique needs. The table below provides additional details specific to each procedure type.

Types of Brow Lifts and the Impact on Cost

| Brow Lift Type | Impact on Cost | | ---------- | ---------- | | Coronal Brow Lift | Incision hidden in hairline; usually the highest costs. | | Endoscopic Brow Lift | Uses an endoscope and small incisions to be less invasive with mid-range costs. | | Pretrichial Brow Lift | Special to unique hairlines, mid-range costs. | | Combination Midbrow Incision with Endoscope Brow Lift | Hybrid procedure with average cost. | | Traditional Midbrow Lift | Technique not used much anymore; average cost. | | Direct Brow Lift | Similarly, not performed as much today; average cost. | | Chemical Brow Lift | Non-surgical and no excess skin removal; lower cost. |

What does the cost of a brow lift include?

We’ve covered the various elements and we’ve overviewed the different types of procedures. Despite this, you may still be wondering what the price of a brow lift truly includes. The cost of the time the surgeon spends performing the brow lift procedure is most often what gets quoted as the ‘average cost’ or ‘surgeon’s fee.’ This is not an exact comparison, but think of it as the hourly rate of your surgeon. Remember, your provider has their own business expenses like office space rent, staff payroll, professional insurance, and office/medical supplies on top of their personal salary.

Brow lift costs start to rise as the additional factors are added in. The other medical staff in the room during your procedure (think: the anesthesiologist, nurses, or surgical assistants), the various supplies and tools used during your brow lift (the classics: needles, gauze, gowns, gloves, etc.), medications given before, during, and after your procedure (may include sedatives, painkillers, and/or antibiotics), and the charge for using the hospital or facility’s operating or procedure room.

Something else to consider is the personal expenses you will encounter as you go about your aesthetic journey. These may include consultation fees, travel costs, pre-operative care, missed work, and recovery supplies you personally purchase to make you more comfortable while the pain, bruising, and swelling resolves.

How much does a brow lift cost?

The next logical question is what kind of numbers are we actually talking about here? The table below shows cost range estimates by specific procedure type. These procedures include all of the variables we discussed except your personal expenses. The ranges are, well, wide-ranging, but they can help give you an idea of which procedure types are more costly in general.

Average Brow Lift Cost by Procedure Type

| Blepharoplasty Type | Cost Range | | ---------- | ---------- | | Coronal Brow Lift | $10,500 to $14,000 | | Endoscopic Brow Lift | $3,700 to $5,000 | | Pretrichial Brow Lift | $2,000 to $4,000 | | Combination Midbrow Incision with Endoscope Brow Lift | $4,000 to $7,000 | | Traditional Midbrow Lift | $4,000 to $7,000 | | Direct Brow Lift | $3,700 to $5,000 | | Chemical Brow Lift | $250 to $4,000 |

How much does a brow lift cost across the United States?

It’s all about location, location, location! In case we haven’t made it clear, location plays a large role in the overall cost of a brow lift. The ASPS 2020 Statistics Report shows a high percentage of all brow lifts occur along the east and west coasts. Given the high volume of brow lift procedures in these areas, costs in general tend to be higher in coastal geographic locations.

The table below breaks down costs by state. The numbers in this table are from zip codes selected from the capital of each listed state.

Average Brow Lift Cost by State

| State | Average Cost | | ---------- | ---------- | | Alabama | $2,250-$7,000 | | Alaska | $2,500-$9,000 | | Arizona | $1,800-$8,000 | | Arkansas | $1,500-$10,500 | | California | $2,500-$9,000 | | Colorado | $1,800-$8,000 | | Connecticut | $2,500-$9,209 | | Delaware | $2,500-$9,209 | | Florida | $2,250-$7,000 | | Georgia | $2,250-$7,000 | | Hawaii | $2,500-$9,000 | | Idaho | $1,800-$8,000 | | Illinois | $1,500-$10,500 | | Indiana | $2,500-$9,209 | | Iowa | $1,500-$10,500 | | Kansas | $1,500-$10,500 | | Kentucky | $2,500-$9,209 | | Louisiana | $1,500-$10,500 | | Maine | $2,500-$9,209 | | Maryland | $2,500-$9,209 | | Massachusetts | $2,500-$9,209 | | Michigan | $2,500-$9,209 | | Minnesota | $1,500-$10,500 | | Mississippi | $2,250-$7,000 | | Missouri | $1,500-$10,500 | | Montana | $1,500-$10,500 | | Nebraska | $1,500-$10,500 | | Nevada | $2,500-$9,000 | | New Hampshire | $2,500-$9,209 | | New Jersey | $2,500-$9,209 | | New Mexico | $1,800-$8,000 | | New York | $2,500-$9,209 | | North Carolina | $2,250-$7,000 | | North Dakota | $1,500-$10,500 | | Ohio | $2,500-$9,209 | | Oklahoma | $1,500-$10,500 | | Oregon | $2,500-$9,000 | | Pennsylvania | $2,500-$9,209 | | Rhode Island | $2,500-$9,209 | | South Carolina | $1,500-$10,500 | | South Dakota | $1,500-$10,500 | | Tennessee | $2,250-$7,000 | | Texas | $1,800-$8,000 | | Utah | $1,800-$8,000 | | Vermont | $2,500-$9,209 | | Virginia | $2,500-$9,209 | | Washington | $2,500-$9,000 | | Washington DC | $2,500-$9,209 | | West Virginia | $2,500-$9,209 | | Wisconsin | $1,500-$10,500 | | Wyoming | $1,800-$8,000 |

these states are presented as national averages as specific information is not available

How much does a brow lift cost around the world?

For those considering pursuing plastic surgery procedures like a brow lift abroad, the following table compares average cost ranges in a few countries across the globe. Friendly reminder to add in travel expenses, consider the reputation of the provider and facility, and factor in the additional costs related to recovery times when taking into account the listed prices. The table below reflects costs converted to U.S. dollars.

Average Brow Lift Cost by Country in USD

| Country | Average Cost | | ---------- | ---------- | | Canada | $500 to $6,600 | | Mexico | $500 to $4,000 | | Colombia | $200 to $7,000 | | United Kingdom | $500 to $7,000 | | Australia | $500 to $8,000 | | Japan | $400 to $5,000 | | United Arab Emirates | $500 to $7,000 |

Does insurance cover the cost of a brow lift?

So, does insurance cover your procedure? It’s a common question, and the answer is not always simple. It’s a maybe. To help answer this question, let’s review two definitions from the [American Medical Association (AMA)](https://www.ama-assn.org/ "American Medical Association"):

• Cosmetic Surgery: Procedures for reshaping normal structures for improved appearance and self-esteem.
• Reconstructive Surgery: Procedures performed on abnormal body structures resulting from congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, disease, infection, or tumors.

The difference in the definitions here is the kicker. Cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance. Reconstructive surgeries may be. In the case of brow lift procedures, there is hardly ever a functional indication for performing the procedure. Since it’s cosmetic, insurance is not going to assist with or cover costs.

Some cosmetic procedures (like upper eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty, or breast augmentation) are covered by insurance, if the patient’s medical provider can document medical necessity and evidence that alternative therapies have been tried and failed. The ASPS has more specific criteria you can review with a provider during your consultation.

Are you tired of caveats? One more. Hybrid procedures (i.e. ones that are both aesthetic and functional) may not be covered despite the functional benefit. Basically, unless you have a consistently proven and documented medical condition your brow lift will not be covered.