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Men and women with a high hairline and large forehead often struggle with facial imbalance and feeling self-conscious about the upper third of their face. Forehead reduction is a commonly performed cosmetic procedure that can correct a high forehead, effectively lowering the hairline for a more balanced look.
If you consider yourself someone who struggles with a high forehead and are interested in surgery, there’s no doubt you want the best forehead reduction surgeon to perform your procedure. In this case, look no further than double board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Dudas who routinely performs forehead reduction procedures at Sieber Plastic Surgery.
Also called hairline lowering, forehead reduction is a plastic surgery procedure that removes a small band of skin from the top of the forehead, then gently stretches the scalp downward to lower the hairline. This can help achieve a more naturally high hairline that balances out the features, creating facial harmony.
The procedure typically takes around two hours and is performed with the patient under general anesthesia. Once healed, the patient’s forehead (the distance between their eyebrows and hairline) will be shortened — usually by around two to three centimeters.
Despite being a common hereditary and natural characteristic, patients seeking a hairline lowering operation struggle with having a large forehead. They feel uncomfortable and self-conscious, and often they’ve tried other treatments that have failed.
Furthermore, even while some female hair styles (such as bangs or having the hair combed forward) can help to camouflage this issue, many patients seek a more permanent solution. In particular, women want a more desirable female hairline so they can choose the hair styling methods that appeal to them, instead of just hiding their forehead.
In addition to having these particular pain points, good candidates for scalp surgery to lower the hairline should also be in strong physical health. They should be non-smokers and not currently struggling with any serious medical conditions or ongoing treatments.
An incision is made right along the hairline and is done in a manner such that the final scar is barely visible. The natural flexibility of the scalp is then further loosened surgically so that the scalp can be gently pulled forward/lowered.
With the stretched scalp downward, a precise amount of upper forehead skin is then removed. This depends on the patient’s specific anatomy. For those with a very tight scalp, the amount of forehead reduction may be less when compared with those who have more scalp laxity.
The patient and surgeon will have discussed several potential hairline positions and contours prior to surgery to ensure that a desirable result is achieved. The shortened forehead is then sutured to the lowered hairline. The stitches remain in place for approximately one week.
Many patients only require a one-stage forehead reduction. This procedure is outlined above. With patients who require more significant hairline lowering, the two-stage approach may be used.
With the two-stage approach, stage one involves the insertion of tissue expanders beneath the scalp. Over a period of six to eight weeks, these expanders will stretch the skin in preparation for stage two, the hairline lowering procedure itself.
Directly following surgery, patients will have a light compression garment placed over the incision area. A small amount of swelling and bruising are normal and should resolve quickly. Some slight discomfort is to be expected, but pain medication will be prescribed to ease the soreness.
Every patient will have a unique experience during their hairline lowering recovery period. The initial forehead reduction surgery healing process usually takes one to two weeks. Patients will want to take at least one week off from work and sometimes more.
Best Plastic Surgeon
A board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in hair restoration, Dr. Jason Dudas brings over a decade of experience to the Sieber Plastic Surgery team. Personally trained by renowned hair transplant pioneer Dr. Sheldon Kabaker, Dr. Dudas has performed hundreds of advanced hairline lowering and transplant procedures. With dual expertise in facial plastic surgery and hair restoration, he offers each patient a tailored, results-driven approach.
Forehead reduction cost can vary significantly based on several factors, including your individual facial anatomy, the complexity of the procedure, surgical techniques used, and the geographic location of the clinic.
Additional considerations such as anesthesia fees, facility costs, and post-operative care may also influence the final price. The best way to receive an accurate estimate tailored to your unique needs is by scheduling a personalized consultation.
During this appointment, you’ll be able to discuss your goals, explore your options, and receive a detailed breakdown of the potential costs involved.
Like other well-established plastic surgeries, hairline lowering surgery is considered safe. However, there are risks with all types of surgery. With hairline lowering (forehead reduction), the main risks to consider include a suboptimal scar, temporary scalp hair loss, or (very rarely) permanent hair loss.
Double board certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Sieber performs forehead reduction surgery at his San Francisco practice. Call to book your consultation with Dr. Sieber today.
As for frequency of hairline lowering procedure male patients are less common than female patients. If men want a lower hairline, it may be more common for them to seek hair transplant surgery, which can create a similar outcome as hairline lowering surgery: the illusion of a shorter forehead.
In terms of age, most anyone can undergo this procedure as long as they are in good health.
Yes, to an extent, you can create the appearance of a lower hairline using hair restoration procedures like hair transplants. This solution often eliminates frontal thinning. Follicular unit hair transplantation is the most common form of this procedure, but other hair restoration procedures exist as well.
It’s important to discuss realistic expectations with your surgeon if you plan to get a hair transplant to shorten your forehead. Some patients with a large, mature male hairline may request new hairlines that are unnaturally low. It’s best to trust a well-experienced surgeon’s critical eye as you make plans for surgery.
Ideally, the scar that remains from a forehead reduction will be within the hair bearing scalp and will blend in nicely with the hairline. The incision will be placed just at the edge of the hairline so that it is nearly invisible once healed.
Forehead reduction cost varies. Patients are seen and evaluated on a case by case basis. Please book a consultation to discuss your prospective cost for surgery.
When it comes to forehead reduction vs hair transplant, both can create the appearance of a smaller forehead and a lowered hairline, but the two procedures are quite different. Forehead reduction removes a section of hairless skin from the top of the forehead, right below the hairline.
Hair transplant surgery takes healthy hairs from the back and sides of the head and transplants them create hair growth, usually on the top of the head. As a side note, brow lift surgery is also different as brow lifts only tighten and smooth the forehead and lift the brow line for a more youthful appearance.
To find out more about a forehead reduction surgery, call us today at 415-915-9000.
When preparing for a forehead reduction procedure, it’s critical to find the best forehead reduction surgeon in your area. These are not easy procedures, so experience matters a great deal. Your plastic surgeon should be board certified and well-practiced at performing forehead reduction procedures on a range of patients.
Dr. Jason Dudas is certified with significant experience performing hairline lowering surgeries. He has completed a specialized facial plastic surgery fellowship in cosmetic surgery and has extensive training in hairline advancement surgery and hair restoration surgeries as well.
References
https://e-aaps.org/journal/view.php?doi=10.14730/aaps.2017.23.1.30
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1064740620300031?via%3Dihub
*Disclaimer: Results may vary from person to person. Editorial content, before and after images, and patient testimonials do not constitute a guarantee of specific results.
