Hairline Lowering Surgery FAQs
Hairline lowering surgery, also known as forehead reduction surgery, is a plastic surgery that shortens the forehead by lowering the hairline. A short band of skin from the upper forehead, (right next to the hairline) is removed, and the scalp is gently pulled down and sutured to the skin on the forehead. The incision line lies within the hair so that it is nearly invisible once healed.
When compared with other facial plastic surgeries such as rhinoplasty or facelift surgery, hairline lowering surgery is still somewhat new and not quite as well-known. For this reason, patients often have many questions. Below, we’ve listed some of these questions and the answers for your perusal.
FAQs: Forehead Reduction Surgery
How much does hairline lowering surgery cost?
Forehead reduction surgeries range drastically in price from surgery to surgery. The best way to get a cost estimate prior to surgery is to set up a consultation appointment with the board-certified plastic surgeon you are considering working with.
Is hairline lowering risky?
Every plastic surgery comes with risks, and this includes hairline lowering surgery. Fortunately, most patients do very well and have an excellent outcome.
Major risks that are rarely but sometimes associated with forehead reduction surgery include bleeding, infection, hair loss, poor wound healing, poor scar development, and undesirable results. Again, these outcomes are rare as long as you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who has specific experience performing forehead reduction surgery.
Never choose a surgeon based on pricing. If a surgeon is charging a surprisingly low amount for this surgery, is not board-certified, or has no experience, take this as a red flag.
What makes a good candidate for hairline-lowering surgeries?
What makes a good candidate for hairline-lowering surgeries?Patients seeking forehead reduction surgery typically have a high hairline and a lot of forehead skin (a tall and/or wide forehead).
The best patients for the procedure also have good scalp laxity. In this case, a lax scalp is helpful because it allows for easier movement forward when shortening the forehead.
It’s also beneficial if the patient has good hair density, especially at the hairline right next to the forehead. This helps to hide the hairline-lowering procedure scar.
Is forehead reduction surgery painful?
Forehead reduction surgery itself is not painful because you will have general anesthesia. Forehead reduction surgery recovery may be somewhat uncomfortable, especially over the first few days.
This is simply due to the trauma of the incisions, the adjustment of the hairline and scalp, and the damage to surrounding blood vessels. Fortunately, pain medication will be prescribed to you, and taking this as directed can drastically improve your comfort levels during the initial stages of recovery.
What do forehead reduction scars look like?
Hairline-lowering scars (forehead reduction scars) are typically well-hidden within the frontal hairline. As long as hair loss is not bad here and hair growth returns after surgery, most incisions are not visible.
What type of anesthesia is used for forehead reduction surgery?
Forehead reduction surgery requires general anesthesia for patient comfort.
Are there celebrities who’ve undergone hairline-lowering surgery?
There’s always a discussion brewing around which celebrity has undergone which plastic surgery. And the truth is, unless a celebrity directly admits to surgery, it’s mostly speculation.
Still, there are a few celebrities with hairline lowering surgery telltale signs — namely that the size of their forehead was significantly larger one year than it was the next. Celebs who may have undergone this surgery include Keira Knightley, Elon Musk, Tyra Banks, Kristin Davis, LeBron James, and Oprah Winfrey.
What if I end up with a botched forehead reduction?
Hairline lowering gone wrong can, unfortunately, occur. But it usually has to do with a poor choice of plastic surgeon. Whenever undergoing any type of plastic surgery, it is of the utmost importance that you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon and someone who has experience with forehead reduction surgery. This is critical.
If your surgery does turn out poorly, consult your plastic surgeon for options or seek assistance from a new and more experienced surgeon.
Why is it important to choose an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon for forehead reduction surgery?
Board-certified surgeons have undergone additional training and education. They are required to pass two extensive oral and written exams and receive ongoing training.
On top of that, someone who knows forehead reduction surgery well will have performed this surgery many times. You want someone with experience as this is a highly visible surgery. Unfortunately, if performed poorly, the results can mar your appearance in a significant way.
What is a female hairline-lowering transplant?
What is a female hairline-lowering transplant?Instead of reducing the size of a large forehead with forehead reduction, some women may opt for a hairline-lowering transplant surgery (also known as forehead-reducing hair transplant surgery).
Unlike a typical hair restoration surgery for hair loss, this hair transplant procedure uses hair transplants and hair grafting to add more hair to the hairline, thus essentially increasing the size of the hair-bearing scalp and limiting the size of the forehead. Hair grafts are typically taken from areas of thicker hair on the back and sides of the head.
Can I combine forehead reduction surgery with other procedures?
Typically, forehead reduction surgery should be performed on its own because it is a major surgery and requires a dedicated recovery period. Of course, you can always consult with your surgeon about your unique situation.
Call to Schedule a Personal Consultation
Both male and female patients can undergo hairline-lowering forehead reduction surgery. If you have a high hairline and you feel it does not match your other facial features or is making you feel self-conscious, scalp advancement or hairline advancement could be for you.
Learn more about forehead reduction surgery and find out if you are a good candidate for this procedure by
with double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Sieber.
