Hairline Lowering and Forehead Reduction Surgery
A balanced, proportionate face can be divided into three equal parts: the distance between the hairline to the mid-brow, the mid-brow to the base of the nose and the base of the nose to the chin.
Individuals who have an exaggerated, high forehead may feel self-conscious about their appearance. A high forehead can be due to heredity, hair loss, or in very rare cases, a poorly executed brow lift. Patients may ask for forehead reduction surgery because their high forehead makes them look older than they really are. Even younger patients who are not losing their hair have shown an interest in hairline lowering surgery.
No matter what your reason, we can help you achieve a look that is beautiful and natural. Dr. Kevin Ende, a double board-certified plastic surgeon in the Philadelphia area, specializes customized in hair restoration procedures, including hairline lowering and hair transplant surgery.
Hairline Lowering Surgery
Hairline Lowering & Forehead Reduction for Men
Men with a high forehead hairline or large forehead may be good candidates for hairline lowering surgery if they have a thick hairline and no family history of hair loss. The procedure is also effective in men that have had a new hairline created previously with hair grafting. Due to the progressive nature of hair loss in males, further procedures may be required to maintain an optimal result.
Hairline Lowering & Forehead Reduction for Women
The majority of women will maintain a stable forehead hairline position for a long time, if not their entire life. For some women, however, a high forehead or hairline can create a more masculine or even aged appearance. Women of all ages with a high forehead can choose to have their hairline lowered with surgery. The procedure is most effective for women with thick hair.
Hairline Lowering or Hair Transplant?
Many individuals who are unsatisfied with the thickness and position of their hairline may immediately assume that a hair transplant is the best solution. Each procedure has its own individual benefits and must be considered on a personal basis.
Fine Baby Hairs Around the Hairline
If a patient has fine baby hairs around the hairline, hairline lowering may produce a harsher hairline after surgery. To combat this, we may recommend performing a hair transplant to create a more natural hairline.
The Hairline is Thin
Thin hair and recessions in the front hairline can make it difficult to achieve an optimal result with this procedure. If hairline lowering is done, there should be a commitment to having hair grafts later. This decision is dependent on a physical examination and the expectations of the patient.
History of Hair Loss in the Family
Hairline lowering is not recommended for patients with a pattern of hair loss in the family. A hair transplant is the only proven way to permanently restore hair to thinning or balding areas of the scalp.
Large Forehead With a Thick Hairline
Patients with a high hairline and high hair density are excellent candidates for forehead hairline lowering surgery. A forehead reduction procedure can offer successful results more quickly than a hair transplant at a significantly lower cost.
Your hairline lowering procedure. What to expect.
Before scheduling an appointment with our expert plastic surgeons, it’s important to check your scalp flexibility. Try this simple exercise at home: start by gently pulling on the scalp near the hairline to see if it moves forward and is not stuck in place. A flexible scalp increases the success of the procedure. Next, measure your face into thirds to plan your ideal hairline placement.
During the consultation with Dr. Ende, the patient will be informed of all details of the procedure and what to expect during and after surgery. All of your questions and concerns will be addressed.
In most cases, general anesthesia is unnecessary for patients undergoing this procedure, which decreases complications.
The hairline lowering procedure takes approximately one hour. During the surgery, an irregular trichophytic incision is used behind the first two rows of the existing hairline. Hair is able to grow back through the scar using this incision. The scalp is lifted to advance it forward and is relatively bloodless due to the technique.
The incision is closed in layers in order to create very fine sutures along the hairline to avoid a noticeable scar. Endotines are used to provide a long lasting result and a hairline lowering bandage is applied. The patient can remove the bandage the next day after the procedure, and no further bandages are usually required.
Bruising and swelling are uncommon after the procedure. Hairline lowering sutures are usually removed in 5-7 and can be removed by a doctor in your home state or country.
Recovering from Hairline Lowering Surgery
The recovery from a hairline lowering surgery is relatively short. Often, patients do not experience any significant bruising or swelling. Many patients are healed enough to travel and return to work after a couple of days and are able to use a scarf or hat to conceal the area. Sutures placed at the hairline are removed after one week.
Within three to six months, the hair typically grows through and in front of the scar. The scar will be natural and unnoticeable.
Hairline Lowering Results
Hairline lowering and forehead reduction surgery can have a dramatically positive change on the proportion of your face. See our before and after photos for some the dramatic results our patients have had.
