The Gliding Brow Lift: An Analysis of Outcomes and Maintenance of Lift in a Single Surgeon's Practice

Efforts in brow lifting longevity, desire for minimally invasive procedures, patient individualization, and minimization of complications led to the development of the gliding brow lift (GBL). The GBL has proven to be a successful, minimally invasive technique targeting brow elevation in combination with the hemostatic net.

The aim of this study was to evaluate maintenance of cutaneous brow elevation with the GBL technique at specific postoperative time points.

A retrospective review was conducted of 63 patients (59 females, 4 males) who underwent a GBL by J.C.G. between 2019 and 2022 for comorbidities, maintenance of brow lift, and incidence of complications at 4 postoperative time points: 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Preoperative and postoperative photographs were analyzed at 4 anatomic locations: the supraorbital rim, lateral canthus, midpupil, and medial canthus.

The cohort consisted of 59 female-only patients; male patients were excluded due to small sample size. The average age was 62.8 years old (SD ±7.01) and the mean BMI was 24. Only 1 patient required return to the operating room for hematoma evacuation; this was a result of a concomitant rhytidectomy and did not involve the brow. All locations maintained a statistically significant lift (P < .01). The most significant lift was at the lateral canthus (3.09 mm) and tail of the brow (2.74 mm) at 1 year postoperatively.

The GBL is a successful innovation in aesthetic brow surgery. Depending on patient needs, it is an excellent choice for selective and long-term elevation of the lateral brow.