Brow Lift Cost: Average Price, What Affects It & Financing

A brow lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that repositions the brow area. People considering one usually want to know two things: what the average price is, and what the quote will and will not include. Whether the procedure suits you is a decision for a board-certified surgeon, and this page covers only the money side.

Prices you find online are often not for the same thing. Some figures describe only the surgeon's fee, while others try to capture the whole cost, including facility and anesthesia charges. Keeping that difference in mind makes the numbers much easier to read.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reports the surgeon's fee. ASPS says its statistics do not include anesthesia, the operating room or facility, or other related expenses. A total bill is therefore higher than the ASPS number.

CareCredit publishes a broader estimate, and it shows up in two places with different averages: a brow lift cost guide and a cosmetic costs hub page. The pages may draw on different surveys or different time periods, which would explain why they do not match. Neither figure is a quote for you; treat both as ballpark references.

Surgical quotes can bundle or separate several line items. Ask the practice to itemize the following:

• Surgeon's fee. This is the figure ASPS reports.
• Anesthesia fee. It is often billed separately by the anesthesia provider.
• Facility fee. A hospital, surgical center, or office-based operating room charges for the space and staff.
• Pre-operative visits and tests. Some practices include consultations, others charge for them.
• Post-operative care. Ask whether follow-up visits, garments, and supplies are part of the fee.
• Prescriptions. Medications are usually paid for separately at a pharmacy.

If a quote looks low, check which of these items are missing before comparing it with another practice.

Location affects surgical pricing. Operating costs, local demand, and surgeon fees differ between markets, and the state figures below come from CareCredit.

Some of these states are listed as examples rather than a full ranking. Even within one state, a large city and a smaller town can be priced very differently, so the table shows only the general spread.

• Surgeon's experience and reputation. Fees reflect the surgeon's training and demand.
• Technique. Surgeons use different approaches, and the fee can differ by approach. Your surgeon will explain which they recommend and why.
• Facility. A hospital operating room usually costs more than an accredited office-based suite.
• Anesthesia type. The type used and the time needed change the anesthesia fee.
• Combined procedures. A brow lift is sometimes done at the same time as eyelid surgery or a facelift, which changes both the total and how fees are itemized.
• Location. As the state figures show, the same procedure can cost noticeably more in some places.

Cosmetic procedures are generally not covered by health insurance. In some cases a surgeon may document that drooping brows affect vision, and an insurer may review that on its own terms. Whether your plan would cover anything is a question for your insurer and a licensed surgeon, so ask before you schedule rather than assuming.

Practices commonly offer payment plans or work with third-party medical credit cards and patient loans. These products carry interest and terms of their own, and promotional periods can end with a rate that applies to the remaining balance. Read the agreement carefully, ask for the total repayment amount, and compare it with the cash price.

You can also ask whether the practice discounts payment in full, and whether a health savings account or flexible spending account can be used. The tax rules for cosmetic procedures are specific, so check with the plan administrator.

• Confirm that the surgeon is board-certified in plastic surgery, and check the credential with the certifying board.
• Confirm where the procedure will be performed and that the facility is accredited.
• Ask for a written, itemized quote with surgeon, anesthesia, and facility fees separated.
• Ask what the practice charges if you need a revision, and how that policy is written.
• Be cautious about quotes far below what other practices charge. Going abroad to save money is not something this page recommends.