Forehead Reduction Surgery: Everything to Know
Every so often, you’ll hear about a cosmetic procedure that sounds too good to be true.
For those who have struggled with disproportionate facial features, forehead reduction surgery might be one of those distant dreams.
But as technology advances and new methods go mainstream, something like forehead reduction surgery is very much a real possibility. In fact, it’s one of the most rapidly growing surgeries in terms of popularity, with thousands more satisfied clients each year.
There’s no denying that forehead reduction is legitimate, effective, and lasts a lifetime. That’s why we want to share as much info as possible about this procedure and answer any lingering questions you might have.
Let’s get the full scoop on forehead reduction surgery, including who it’s for, how it’s done, and what you can expect when undergoing the process from start to finish.
Forehead Reduction Definition
The idea of a forehead reduction is still relatively new in the cosmetic surgery scene, meaning that an exact definition is needed before we get into the details of the procedure and what you should know as a possible candidate.
Basics and Background
The best way to describe forehead reduction surgery is a procedure that can lower an individual’s hairline by up to one inch or more, depending on the client’s goals, skill of the surgeon, and other factors that impact outcomes.
Forehead reduction surgery has been performed for over 20 years now, but only recently has it caught on as a more mainstream procedure conducted by doctors in hair restoration and general cosmetic surgery.
Since then, technology and techniques have advanced, meaning that results are now more immediate, longer-lasting, and overall more satisfactory for clients.
Now, forehead reductions are commonplace and considered low-risk, with more surgeons gaining experience and confidence in the procedure.
Why Get Forehead Reduction Surgery?
There are many possible reasons why someone might seek forehead reduction surgery and why this approach offers more benefits than other techniques with similar goals.
For starters, forehead reduction is one of the few procedures that can significantly alter the proportions of an individual’s face.
Even with an average reduction size of an inch or so, this can be a notable improvement in facial aesthetics and give clients a newfound sense of self-confidence.
Another advantage of forehead reduction is the artistic input that a surgeon can offer a client to make their ideal vision a reality.
The world’s best surgeons can adjust a hairline to the ideal proportions for a person’s face while ensuring the final look is natural and pleasing to the eye.
A forehead reduction offers a more permanent fix for patients looking to achieve desired results and minimize the risk of regression or reversal. To see why forehead reductions are so effective, we must compare the procedure to other methods that may be used to achieve the same outcomes.
Forehead Reduction vs. Hairline Lowering and Brow Lift
While some clinics use the term “hairline lowering” to mean the same thing as forehead reduction, some major differences between these procedures must be pointed out.
A “browlift” is another common procedure with a unique set of tools and objectives, typically aimed at raising the level of the eyebrows rather than shortening the forehead.
The key difference to note here is that hairline lowering procedures tend to employ traditional hair transplantation techniques such as Follicular Unit Transplant (strip surgery) or Follicular Unit Excision to bring hair from the donor area of the scalp to the recipient region.
In these procedures, healthy hair is extracted, processed, then transplanted to the forehead, reconstructing the hairline with a more full and dense appearance.
Forehead reductions differ from this method since no hair transplantation is performed. Instead, the surgery is done through an incision on the hairline, allowing surgeons to pull the hairline closer to the brow and secure the skin in place for lasting results. Many patients can accomplish their goals with hairline lowering, which is far less invasive than a forehead reduction.
We will explore the details of forehead reduction surgery shortly, but for now, it’s important that we clarify these various terms and ensure you seek out the procedure that’s best for your needs.
Candidates for Forehead Reduction
Are you a good candidate for forehead reduction surgery? Let’s see what factors matter most when deciding if this procedure will work for you.
Men
Men tend not to be very good candidates for forehead reduction for multiple reasons.
The key factor here is the strength of the hairline in most men as they experience pattern balding over time. The typical Norwood scale progression of hair loss for men shows that the hairline is one of the first areas to start thinning and receding, which poses a problem for forehead reduction.
This is important because forehead reduction does not manipulate the density or the amount of hair on the hairline. Instead, it only serves to adjust the height of the forehead and alter the position of the hairline as it currently exists.
Therefore, a strong and resilient hairline is necessary to ensure a successful forehead reduction procedure. In most cases, men’s hairlines do not stand the test of time to help attain this desired outcome.
In addition, men typically have hairline shapes that aren’t as conducive to being lowered in a way that looks natural and authentic.
Men are more likely to have widow’s peaks or M-shaped hairlines, which are difficult to work with from a surgical standpoint in the context of a forehead reduction procedure.
Only in rare cases, when men have solid, predictable, and linear hairlines, should they seriously consider undergoing forehead reduction surgery.
But in most scenarios, hair restoration experts suggest that men opt for a more traditional form of hair transplantation, whether via high-volume FUT strip surgery or the more targeted and less invasive modern FUE procedures.
Women
For the reasons described, women tend to be far better candidates for forehead reduction surgery, with stronger, flatter hairlines and less chance of thinning on the frontal region of the scalp.
Even if a woman’s hairline appears high, she is far less likely to experience the diffuse thinning and patchiness in this area of the head, helping ensure the long-lasting results for a procedure like a forehead reduction.
In the rare case that women experience pattern balding, thinning tends to occur along the central part of the hair, exposing more of the scalp on the vertex rather than impacting the structure and shape of the hairline itself.
Finally, surgeons usually have an easier time working with the linear shape of the typical female hairline, which tends to be more even and flat if slightly rounded.
Age, Skin, and Other Factors
Women of any age can undergo forehead reduction surgery and experience life-changing results in a short period of time.
Age is not necessarily a factor for this procedure, and what matters more is the degree of stretch and elasticity within the skin. With more stretch to the skin of the forehead, surgeons will have more control over the direction and shape of the forehead as they see fit for optimal results.
The issue with some candidates is a lack of elasticity which does not permit much movement for the forehead to be shortened.
However, there are ways to address this, such as with a tissue expander placed under the skin a month before surgery.
Possible Risks and Concerns
Forehead reduction surgeries are minimally invasive and low risk. However, the main concern is the appearance of a linear scar at the top of the forehead where the initial incision is made to shorten the forehead during surgery.
Thankfully, these scars are quite small and barely noticeable in most cases, even when hair is worn “up,” and the forehead is fully exposed.
Alternatively, the scar can be easily covered with nearly any other hairstyle type, which most patients choose to wear during the recovery period and even after the desired result is achieved. A hair transplant can also be performed to add hair over the scar to minimize how much the scar can be seen.
Forehead Reduction Surgery Process
For those considering forehead reduction surgery in the future, here is what to expect from the actual process, beginning to end.
Consultation
All serious cosmetic procedures begin with a consultation, during which you will meet in person with your surgeon and do a full analysis of your current situation and vision.
With forehead reduction, the goal of the consultation is to pinpoint where the patient’s ideal hairline will exist on the forehead and how this position can be realistically achieved considering factors like hairline shape and skin quality.
The surgeon will also map out schedules, costs, and recovery protocols during this time.
Experience in Surgery
Undergoing forehead reduction surgery is a rather quick and straightforward procedure.
Patients will check into the clinic and be back home in less than five hours total, and the actual process is quite painless due to the use of a local anesthetic.
Patients will also have the chance to recline, relax, and enjoy music or movies as doctors perform the necessary steps and conclude the surgery.
Recovery and Timeline
The majority of recovery from forehead reduction takes about a week when swelling and irritation on the impacted area will peak and quickly subside.
During this time, patients are advised to minimize physical activity, keep the area clean and dry, and follow all other aftercare protocols defined by the surgeon.
In the weeks that follow, the incision will continue to shrink and become less noticeable, and patients will be able to style their hair freely and resume life as normal.
Get the Look You Want – Permanently
Forehead reduction surgery is recognized as having a high patient satisfaction rate, with minimal risk and lasting results. As far as cosmetic procedures go, that’s a winning formula.
When looking for a forehead reduction surgeon, make sure to find a team you trust, ideally with a background in hair restoration and an understanding of aesthetics.
This way, you can weigh all your options and rest assured you’re getting the best possible service available. To start the process the right way, contact Dr. Jae Pak and book a consultation today.
Sources:
Find out if Hair Restoration is right for you.
Speak with Jae Pak, M.D. today!