Forehead Reduction Surgery

There are many different types of cosmetic surgeries available, all with the goal of improving your appearance. One cosmetic surgery that doesn’t get talked about as much as the more common ones, like rhinoplasty and face lifts, is forehead reduction surgery. As the same suggests, the goal here is to shorten the forehead, giving the patient a more harmonious face overall.

What is Forehead Reduction Surgery?

Forehead reduction surgery, also known as hairline lowering surgery, is a process that involves surgically removing a strip of skin from the forehead and then bringing the scalp downwards, which results in a smaller-looking forehead. It’s all about shortening the distance between the hairline and the eyebrows for better facial harmony, with many patients feeling more confident following the surgery.

What to Expect from Forehead Reduction Surgery

Are you thinking of getting a forehead reduction procedure? Here are the steps you’ll go through and what to expect at each one.

1. Consultation

The first step before any cosmetic procedure is a consultation. During this consultation, you’ll speak directly to a surgeon about the forehead reduction surgery, including why you want it. The surgeon will look at your facial features and ask about your medical history to determine whether you would be a good candidate.

2. The Surgery

The surgery itself takes a couple of hours and is typically done on an outpatient basis. It involves local anaesthetic and you can return home the same day.

3. Recovery

It takes around two to four weeks for the forehead to heal following forehead reduction surgery. During this time, you will experience symptoms such as pain, swelling, bruising, and some discomfort – you can treat some of these symptoms with pain medications. Most patients can return to work within a couple of weeks. Regarding scarring, you will have a red scar for up to six months, but a good surgeon will be able to reduce its appearance so that it’s hidden by your hairline.

4. Results

The full recovery period can last up to a year and sometimes even more. After this time, you can see the full results. A good forehead reduction surgery will leave you with better facial harmony and a smaller-looking forehead overall.

The Pros and Cons of Forehead Reduction Surgery

Are you on the fence about the procedure? Here are the pros and cons.

Pro: The Results Are Permanent

When you get forehead reduction surgery, you don’t have to worry about returning to the clinic for multiple procedures. It’s a permanent surgery that will lead to results that last a lifetime.

Pro: It Looks Natural

Once recovered, the results look fantastic. It looks completely natural, as though your forehead had always looked that way.

Pro: It Boosts Facial Harmony

Another benefit of forehead reduction surgery is that it results in more balanced facial features. This helps the patient look more attractive and feel more confident in themselves.  This is especially true for those who have a large forehead or high hairline.

Pro: It’s Safe

There aren’t too many risks involved with forehead reduction surgery. Of course, there are potential side effects, but it’s known as a minimally invasive cosmetic surgery.

Pro: It Helps a Face Look More Feminine

Forehead reduction surgery is particularly popular within the transgender community, especially with male-to-female transgenders. That’s because the surgery helps a face look more youthful and feminine. Of course, that can also be helpful for cis women who want to look more feminine.

Con: Unpleasant Side Effects

There’s no denying that forehead reduction surgery can lead to some unpleasant side effects. Following the surgery, the patient might feel pain, numbness, and discomfort in the area. These side effects may last several weeks.

Con: The Risks

Like with most surgeries, there are risks involved with forehead reduction surgery. The greatest risk is infection, which can affect the area where the incision is made. Some other risks include an asymmetrical result, excessive bleeding, and hair loss (which can be permanent).

Con: A Visible Scar

Forehead reduction surgery leads to a visible scar on the forehead just below the hairline, as you are removing the forehead skin. It does fade in time, but it can be permanent, even if it’s faded. There are a few things to help reduce the appearance of the scar, including following post-surgical instructions to a tee and choosing an experienced, high-quality surgeon who knows how to hide the scar.

Alternatives to Forehead Reduction Surgery

As you can see, forehead reduction surgery has benefits and downsides. It works very well for some but not others. Luckily, there are some alternatives that can help you achieve the results you’re looking for:

A Hairstyle Change

You don’t have to get any procedure to hide a large forehead – sometimes, a simple hairstyle change is enough. For example, many people with high hairlines get a fringe to hide it.

Botox Injections

Botox injections can help with a high forehead! It works by relaxing the muscles in the forehead, which can give the appearance of a lower hairline. It is not a permanent solution, but it can be effective. Plus, there’s the bonus of Botox helping minimise the appearance of forehead wrinkles!

A Brow Lift

Another way to give the appearance of a smaller forehead is to bring the eyebrows further up the face. You can do this with a brow lift procedure, which involves a small incision that pulls the eyebrows up and opens up the eye area.

A Hair Transplant

Another type of surgery that can help with a high hairline is a hair transplant. This one is more effective for those experiencing hair loss, as it’s a hair loss procedure rather than a forehead reducing surgery. Instead of getting surgery that cuts into the forehead, a hair transplant takes hair follicles from the back of the head and transplants them to the front, which results in hair growth. It’s less invasive than forehead reduction surgery and leads to more natural results with minimal scarring. Check out our patients gallery to see the results you can expect.

Other Hair Loss Solutions

If your main goal is to treat a receding hairline, you may not need a surgical procedure at all, depending on the case. There are hair loss medications that work very well, including minoxidil and finasteride. You can also treat hair loss by getting to the root of the cause and treating it – for example, if hair loss is caused by a nutritional deficiency, taking a supplement will lead to hair restoration. This kind of hair loss treatment will depend on the cause.

Which One Should You Get?

Should you get forehead reduction surgery or one of the alternatives? It’s hard to say, as everyone is different. Here’s what to consider:

Your Issue

Why do you want forehead reduction surgery? If it’s because you have always had a large forehead and want to reduce the height of the forehead, the surgery may be a good idea. Likewise, if you are looking for a gender-reaffirming surgery as an MTF transgender person, this surgery could work well for you. On the other hand, if you are someone with a receding hairline, forehead reduction may not be the best option – in this case, a hair transplant is a better route.

Your Goals

What are your goals? Do you want a smaller forehead, or do you want a fuller-looking hairline? Knowing what you want the results to be will help you choose the correct procedure.

Risks

Before getting any type of procedure, assess the risks involved. It might help to look at the risks of forehead reduction surgery work and compare them to a hair transplant. Hair transplants are generally considered less invasive, especially the FUE method.

Cost

Naturally, you will want to consider the cost. Forehead reduction surgery typically costs between £5,000 and £8,000, whereas a hair transplant can cost anywhere from £2,000 to £15,000. Of course, the cheapest option listed would be changing your hairstyle!

Your Medical History

Your medical history may determine whether or not you are a good candidate for hair transplant or forehead reduction surgery. You can speak with a doctor about this during a consultation, but it helps to know beforehand. For example, if you have an autoimmune disease like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, you won’t be able to get a hair transplant. Likewise, scalp psoriasis will make getting a hair transplant much more challenging.

In Summary

Forehead reduction surgery, or hairline lowering surgery, is a cosmetic procedure that can restore facial balance by lowering the hairline and making the forehead appear smaller. It works well for those who have high hairlines or large foreheads. However, other methods are better for those experiencing a receding hairline, such as hair loss medications or a hair transplant.

Are you interested in learning more about hair transplants? Download our revolutionary hair track app to get in touch with top surgeons. On this app, you can book consultations and keep track of your hair loss and growth.