The Endotine Forehead Lift: How It Works, What It Costs, and What to Expect

An endotine forehead lift is an endoscopic brow and forehead lifting procedure that uses a small biodegradable implant to hold lifted tissue in place. It addresses drooping brows, forehead lines, and the tired or heavy-eyed appearance that comes when the brow descends over time. This guide covers what the procedure involves, who it suits, what recovery looks like, and what it costs in Australia compared to South Korea, where the technique is widely performed by surgeons with significant experience.

What Is an Endotine Forehead Lift?

An endotine forehead lift is an endoscopic surgical procedure that lifts the brow and forehead through small incisions hidden within the hairline. The term refers specifically to the fixation method used: rather than traditional sutures or permanent screws, the lifted tissue is secured using the Endotine device, a small biodegradable implant with multiple tiny tines that grip the tissue at several points simultaneously.

What the Endotine device is

The Endotine is a bioabsorbable implant made from a polymer material (polylactic acid) that the body gradually breaks down over 6 to 12 months post-surgery. Its key engineering feature is multipoint fixation: while a suture pulls tissue from a single point, the Endotine's tine structure distributes the load across a wider area. This reduces the risk of tissue tearing, allows for more even distribution of the lift, and lowers the chance of an asymmetric or pulled result.

Research published in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery found the Endotine device provides six times the load capacity of standard 3-0 PDS sutures. Once the device dissolves, the tissue remains in its elevated position, supported by the natural fibrous adhesions that form during the healing process.

How the procedure works

The surgery is performed endoscopically, meaning the surgeon operates through small keyhole incisions rather than a long open cut across the scalp. The process follows this sequence:

1. Three to five small incisions (approximately 1 to 2 cm) are made within the hairline
2. A miniature camera and surgical instruments are passed through the incisions
3. The surgeon separates the forehead and brow tissue from the underlying bone, carefully preserving nerves and blood vessels
4. The tissue is elevated to the desired position
5. The Endotine device is anchored to the outer surface of the skull and the tines grip the lifted tissue, holding it in place
6. Incisions are closed with absorbable sutures

The entire procedure typically takes 1 to 2 hours. It is performed under general anaesthesia or deep sedation depending on the surgeon and whether it is combined with other procedures.

What it addresses

• Drooping brows that create a heavy, tired, or angry appearance
• Horizontal forehead lines caused by the frontalis muscle constantly working to lift a descending brow
• Frown lines between the brows (glabellar lines), which can be reduced by partially addressing the underlying muscle during the same procedure
• Hooded upper eyelids caused by brow ptosis rather than excess eyelid skin
• Asymmetry between the two brows

Dr Ryu Min Hee (RNWood Plastic Surgery, Seoul): deep plane facelift, neck lift, endotine forehead lift, fat transfer, lower blepharoplasty.

Dr Ryu Min Hee (RNWood Plastic Surgery, Seoul): deep plane facelift, neck lift, endotine forehead lift, fat transfer, lower blepharoplasty.

Benefits of an Endotine Forehead Lift

Minimal scarring

Because the procedure is endoscopic, all incisions are hidden within the hairline. Most patients find any residual scarring fades to near-invisibility within 2 to 3 months, particularly in patients with thicker hair. Even for patients with thinning hair or a receding hairline, scars typically fade significantly over time.

Natural, even result

The multipoint fixation of the Endotine device means the lifting force is distributed across the tissue rather than concentrated at a single point. This is why the result tends to look lifted and refreshed rather than pulled. The surgeon can also adjust the tissue position on the device immediately post-operatively if minor asymmetry is observed.

Longer-lasting than non-surgical alternatives

Thread lifts typically last 1 to 2 years and cannot address the underlying muscle activity that causes forehead lines. Endoscopic brow lifts can include partial resection of the glabellar muscles, creating longer-lasting results, and patients who previously needed frequent Botox for frown lines may find their need for it reduces significantly after surgery.

How long do results last?

Results from an endotine forehead lift typically last 7 to 10 years, depending on the patient's age at surgery, skin elasticity, and lifestyle. The biodegradable device dissolves within 6 to 12 months, and by that point the tissue has formed its own natural fibrous adhesions that maintain the elevated position.

Reduced downtime compared to open forehead lift

An open or coronal forehead lift involves a single long incision across the scalp, longer recovery, and higher scarring risk. The endoscopic endotine approach achieves comparable lifting through much smaller access points. Social recovery is typically 7 to 14 days.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

An endotine forehead lift suits patients in their 40s to 60s who have:

• Descended brows that sit at or below the orbital rim, creating a tired or angry resting appearance
• Horizontal forehead lines that are deep enough that Botox alone no longer manages them comfortably
• Hooded upper eyelids where brow position is contributing to the heaviness (rather than excess eyelid skin, which is addressed by upper blepharoplasty)
• Asymmetric brows where one side sits noticeably lower than the other
• Good general health, realistic expectations, and adequate scalp laxity for endoscopic dissection

Patients with very thin scalps or fine hair may be better suited to alternative fixation methods. This is worth discussing at consultation. Patients with tighter, more immobile brows or those having a revision procedure may also be better served by the Endotine than by suture fixation alone, as the Endotine remains the preferred choice for patients with heavier brows, tighter or more immobile brows, and secondary cases.

The Procedure: What to Expect

Consultation and planning

Your surgeon will assess the position of your brows relative to the orbital rim, skin laxity, forehead height, and whether brow descent or eyelid ptosis is the primary cause of any heaviness around the eyes. This distinction matters: a brow lift will not correct drooping caused by excess upper eyelid skin, and vice versa. The two are often performed together.

Online consultations are available with Glamjet's partner hospitals in South Korea and Vietnam for Glamjet clients before travelling. This allows a detailed pre-operative assessment before you commit to travel.

Surgery day

The procedure takes 1 to 2 hours under general anaesthesia or sedation. Most patients having an endotine forehead lift as a standalone procedure in South Korea stay overnight for monitoring. Patients combining it with a deep plane facelift or other procedures will typically stay 1 to 2 nights.

Recovery timeline

Most patients feel comfortable returning to an office environment after 7 to 10 days and can resume strenuous exercise at weeks 3 to 4. Avoid saunas, steam rooms, and high-impact exercise for at least four weeks. Consistent sun protection on any incision lines helps scarring fade faster.

Risks and Possible Complications

An endotine forehead lift is generally well tolerated, but like any surgical procedure it carries risks worth understanding clearly.

Expected temporary effects

• Swelling and bruising, most pronounced in the first week
• Temporary scalp numbness or sensitivity as superficial nerves recover
• Faint palpability of the Endotine device under the scalp (normal; resolves as device dissolves)
• Temporary hair thinning around incision sites

Less common complications

• Hairline changes or minor alopecia around incisions if follicles are placed under excessive tension. Fixation of the Endotine device to the skull eliminates the concern of undue tension on the scalp incisions, which is the primary cause of alopecia with older techniques.
• Visible or persistent palpability of the device in patients with very thin scalps. The Endotine may be palpable under the skin but visible in only roughly half of such patients. The Ultratine variant is preferred for patients with particularly thin scalps.
• Asymmetry requiring minor adjustment
• Temporary frontal nerve weakness. If eyebrow movement does not return after 12 months, there may be injury to the frontal branch of the facial nerve, caused by poor anatomical understanding. This underscores the importance of surgeon experience with the endoscopic approach.

How Much Does an Endotine Forehead Lift Cost?

Cost varies significantly by country and by whether the procedure is performed as a standalone or combined with other surgery.

Factors affecting the cost

• Standalone vs combined: When performed alongside a deep plane facelift, the marginal cost of adding an endotine forehead lift in South Korea is significantly lower than having it as a separate procedure and separate anaesthesia event.
• Surgeon experience and demand: More experienced surgeons command higher fees.
• Facility costs: Hospital operating theatre fees, anaesthesia, and nursing care are substantially lower in South Korea than in Australia.
• Glamjet Patient Advocacy Service: Coordination, translation, and support are charged separately through Glamjet's tiered advocacy service. See the Patient Advocacy Service page for tier details.

Why combining procedures is often the better financial decision

Most patients considering an endotine forehead lift are also thinking about blepharoplasty, a mid-face lift, or a deep plane facelift. Performing all of these in a single session uses one anaesthesia event, one recovery period, and one trip. In South Korea through Glamjet, a full facial rejuvenation covering a deep plane facelift, neck lift, endotine forehead lift, upper and lower blepharoplasty, and mid-face lift, including hotel and flights, runs $35,000 to $70,000 AUD depending on the surgeon and Patient Advocacy Service tier. The same combination in Australia is typically quoted at $70,000 to $140,000 or more.

Where to Get an Endotine Forehead Lift

What to look for in a surgeon

• Specific endoscopic forehead lift experience, not just general facelift volume
• Board certification in plastic and reconstructive surgery
• Use of authentic Endotine devices (not cheaper alternatives)
• Full HD endoscopic equipment for precise dissection
• Access to a full-time anaesthesiologist for the procedure

Why South Korea is the strongest option for Australians

The endotine forehead lift is widely performed in Seoul, where it is a standard part of full facial rejuvenation. Korean surgeons offering this procedure have typically performed it hundreds of times as part of combined facelift packages, and the technique has been refined through high volumes and exposure to patients of different anatomies. Surgeons at the clinics Glamjet works with have 8 to 15 years of dedicated facial surgery experience and use authentic Endotine devices with Full HD endoscopic systems.

Glamjet's partner surgeons performing the endotine forehead lift include Dr Ryu Min Hee at RNWood Plastic Surgery (double board-certified in South Korea and the United States) and Dr Lee Youngjin at Elite Plastic Surgery, who frequently combines the procedure with deep plane facelifts and blepharoplasty. You pay the same as booking directly with the clinic, with no markup, and Glamjet handles surgeon matching, scheduling, translation service, and all coordination. Online consultations are available for Glamjet clients before travelling.

For a broader comparison of destinations for facial surgery, see our guide to the best country for a deep plane facelift. For patients considering combining an endotine forehead lift with a full facelift, see our article on what a scarless facelift involves.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an endotine forehead lift?

An endotine forehead lift is an endoscopic brow and forehead lifting procedure that uses a small biodegradable implant called an Endotine to hold elevated tissue in place. The device dissolves naturally over 6 to 12 months, leaving the tissue supported by its own healed structures. It is performed through small incisions hidden in the hairline.

How long do endotine forehead lift results last?

Results typically last 7 to 10 years, depending on the patient's age at surgery, skin quality, and lifestyle. The Endotine device dissolves within 6 to 12 months, but by that point natural fibrous tissue has formed to maintain the lift. Patients who also had glabellar muscle reduction during the procedure may see longer-lasting improvement in frown lines.

Is the Endotine device safe?

Yes. The Endotine is FDA-cleared and manufactured from polylactic acid, a bioabsorbable polymer that the body processes safely over time. It is the same class of material used in absorbable sutures. A small proportion of patients with thin scalps may feel the device under the skin during the dissolution period, which resolves without intervention.

Can you feel the Endotine under the skin?

Yes, in some cases. It is normal to feel the small tines under the scalp if pressing firmly near the hairline during the first 3 to 6 months. This resolves as the device dissolves. Avoid aggressive scalp massage during this period. Patients with very thin scalps may want to discuss alternative fixation devices with their surgeon at consultation.

How much does an endotine forehead lift cost in South Korea?

As a standalone procedure in South Korea through Glamjet, approximately $4,000 to $8,000 AUD. When combined with a deep plane facelift, it is typically included or charged as a significantly lower add-on. A full facial package including deep plane facelift, neck lift, forehead lift, and blepharoplasty with hotel and flights runs $35,000 to $70,000 AUD.

What is the difference between an endotine forehead lift and a thread lift?

A thread lift is a non-surgical treatment that uses dissolvable sutures inserted under the skin to temporarily lift tissue. Results last 1 to 2 years. An endotine forehead lift is a surgical procedure that repositions the underlying tissue through endoscopic access and holds it with the Endotine device. Results last 7 to 10 years, and the procedure can also address the muscles responsible for frown lines, which a thread lift cannot.

Find Out If an Endotine Forehead Lift Is Right for You