For patients in South Africa

Endoscopic brow lift in Turkey from South Africa: a plain guide

An endoscopic brow lift raises the brows and smooths the forehead through small incisions hidden behind the hairline, using a camera to work beneath the skin. Because the cuts are small and out of sight, scarring is minimal. It suits many people with heavy brows, but not everyone, and this page is clear about where it stops working.

What it treats, and what it does not

The endoscopic technique lifts and repositions the deeper tissue of the forehead rather than simply removing skin. On our endoscopic brow lift treatment page it is described as best for:

• Frown lines at the inner corners of the brows, formed by years of frowning
• A heavy middle forehead with loose skin and slackened muscle
• Low or heavy brows and early ageing of the upper face

It is not the right choice for everyone. If your forehead is already very high, lifting the brows can make it look higher still, and people with a lot of excess forehead skin may do better with forehead reduction or another technique. The surgeon will say so.

Endoscopic brow lift or temporal lift?

These two are often confused:

• Endoscopic brow lift — works on the inner brows and frown lines, with incisions on the forehead behind the hairline
• Temporal lift — works on the outer brow and hooding skin at the outer corner, with incisions at the temples behind the hairline

Initial recovery is about two to three weeks for both, and age alone does not decide which one you need. Compare them on the temporal lift page, start with the brow lift overview, or see all options in our face surgery guide for South African patients.

Who it suits

• People with frown lines or heaviness across the middle of the forehead
• People with low brows who want a lift without a long visible scar
• People in good general health who do not smoke, or can stop before surgery
• People who understand the result is a refreshed look, not a different face

Your stay in İzmir and the flight home

You have health checks, blood tests and a meeting with your board-certified plastic surgeon after you arrive. Brow lift procedures typically take 45 to 90 minutes. You then recover at Mandarin Grove with nursing support; sleeping with your head raised helps the swelling, and stitches or dressings usually come out between days four and seven.

Most patients are cleared to fly after five to seven days, subject to the surgeon’s approval. Allow for the long journey to Johannesburg or Cape Town when you book, and choose a ticket you can change.

Recovery at home

Bruising and swelling fade over the first weeks; most people are back at work within one to two weeks, and strenuous exercise waits for the surgeon’s go-ahead. The result keeps settling for three to six months. Known risks include swelling, bruising, temporary numbness, asymmetry and delayed healing and, less often, bleeding, infection, hairline changes or nerve irritation.

After you fly home, follow-up continues by photograph, message and video call with the same team, and İzmir is only one hour ahead of South Africa, so calls fit into a normal day. Medical complications and any revision that becomes clinically necessary within one year of treatment are covered by our treatment guarantee; it does not cover a preference for a different look where the result is within what was discussed beforehand. Share your operation notes with your GP. See our clinic facts and complaints process.

What we will not do

We will not confirm a plan before a surgeon has reviewed you, we will not promise a result, and we will not operate if your health makes it unsafe. Coming a long way is not a reason to add more procedures to one operation than the surgeon judges safe.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the scars after an endoscopic brow lift?

The incisions are small and sit on the forehead behind the hairline, so scarring is minimal and usually hidden by hair.

Is an endoscopic brow lift better than a temporal lift?

Neither is better; they treat different areas. The endoscopic lift addresses the inner brows and frown lines, while a temporal lift raises the outer brow. The surgeon recommends one from your photographs and examination.

Who should not have an endoscopic brow lift?

People with a very high forehead or a lot of excess forehead skin may get a better result from forehead reduction or another brow lift technique. Suitability is confirmed only after a medical assessment.

How long after an endoscopic brow lift can I fly home to South Africa?

Most patients are cleared to fly after five to seven days, subject to the surgeon’s approval. The initial recovery takes about two to three weeks, so plan time off around that.

Will my medical aid pay for an endoscopic brow lift?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover cosmetic brow surgery done abroad, and standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment. Ask your scheme and your insurer directly before you book.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.