SSSHOICHI SASAKIPLASTIC SURGEON

Case Study

Forehead Lift with Muscle Modification | 1 Month Postoperative

A forehead lift with muscle modification in a 58-year-old woman. Photographs at one week and one month show changes in brow position, asymmetry and ease of eye opening.

This 58-year-old woman underwent a forehead lift with muscle modification for horizontal forehead lines, brow descent and asymmetry, and difficulty opening the eyes. Frontal photographs at one week and one month show the change and early recovery.

Case summary

  • Age: 58 years
  • Primary concerns: horizontal forehead lines, brow asymmetry, brow descent and difficulty opening the eyes
  • Procedure: forehead lift with muscle modification
  • Treatment course: one operation followed by several postoperative examinations and follow-up visits
  • Photographic time points: before surgery / one week after surgery / one month after surgery
Frontal views of a 58-year-old woman after a forehead lift with muscle modification, before surgery on the left and one month after surgery on the right
Frontal view. Left: before surgery. Right: one month after surgery. Compare brow position, upper-face asymmetry and the openness of the eye area.
Frontal views of a 58-year-old woman after a forehead lift with muscle modification, before surgery on the left and one week after surgery on the right
Frontal view. Left: before surgery. Right: one week after surgery. This image shows the early course, including postoperative swelling and bruising.

Priorities in this case

The forehead muscles and the muscles that open the eyelids work in coordination. When the brows descend or the eyes are difficult to open, the forehead may be recruited excessively. This tension can contribute to forehead lines and asymmetry.

Rather than raising both brows uniformly, the priority was to release and modify the areas of excessive muscle tension and improve the relationship between brow and eye position. Residual brow asymmetry is also influenced by asymmetrical cosmetic tattooing that was present before surgery.

Procedure selected and its purpose

Forehead lift with muscle modification

The forehead lift repositions the brows, while muscles involved in forehead and glabellar expression are adjusted according to the patient’s findings. Brow position and direction are checked during surgery to avoid excessive elevation or an unnatural arch.

The extent of muscle modification varies according to forehead tension, glabellar lines, asymmetry and previous treatment history. Skeletal anatomy and the condition of the upper eyelids are also assessed during consultation.

Changes visible at one week and one month

At one week, swelling and mild bruising remain. The photograph provides one example of the early recovery period following a forehead lift.

At one month, brow position and upper-face balance have improved, and the eye area appears easier to open. Mild redness may remain at the incision, and scars generally continue to change for three to six months or longer. Results and recovery vary between patients, and the same degree of change cannot be guaranteed.

Treatment course and fees

  • Usual treatment period and number of visits: One operation, followed by several postoperative examinations and follow-up visits. The exact number varies between patients and may also differ according to the conditions of the monitor discount.
  • Total fee for the procedures shown (tax included): ¥1,166,000 (including anesthesia; full-face monitor discount applied)
  • Breakdown: Forehead lift (full-face monitor) ¥770,000 + muscle modification (full-face monitor) ¥231,000 + general anesthesia with mechanical ventilation ¥165,000

*The fees shown above apply at Cinderella & Da Vinci Clinic. International patients are accepted through Your Face Clinic. Please refer to the price list for international patients (PDF) for the applicable fees.

Principal risks, adverse effects and complications

Possible risks include bleeding, hematoma, infection, swelling, bruising, pain, visible scarring, delayed wound healing, hair loss around the incision, altered sensation, nerve injury including facial nerve dysfunction, brow asymmetry, overcorrection or undercorrection, recurrence and a result that differs from the patient’s expectations.

Author and medical review

  • Written and medically reviewed by: Shoichi Sasaki, M.D.
  • Created: July 26, 2026

For detailed information about treatment, fees, principal risks and potential adverse effects, please refer to the explanation provided during your consultation.