Forehead Reduction Surgery
Are you tired of feeling self-conscious about your forehead size? Do you wish you could have a more proportionate and balanced facial appearance? Look no further than Paul Wilson Aesthetics, where we offer forehead reduction surgery to help you achieve your desired look.
What is forehead reduction surgery?
Forehead reduction surgery, also called hairline lowering or scalp advancement, shortens the distance between your hairline and eyebrows by moving the scalp down and forward, positioning your hairline lower on your forehead.
This surgical procedure can create more balanced facial proportions and a much fuller hairline. According to Dr Paul Wilson a Plastic Surgeon at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Newport, “The density achieved is incomparable—usually greater than the results that can be achieved with two hair transplant procedures”.
What are the pros and cons of forehead reduction?
Pro
- Eliminating excess forehead skin creates a lower hairline, resulting in fuller-looking hair. If your surgeon makes the incision back into thick hair, you can increase your new hairline’s density.
- Results are immediate and permanent.
- The procedure does not change existing hair texture and curl or decrease hair density. However, the surgeon can cut out widow's peaks and cowlicks, to improve your hairline. Hairline recession in the temporal area can be reduced.
- Making a large forehead look smaller can make patients less self-conscious and boost self-esteem.
Cons
- Occasionally, patients are left with a visible scar along their new hairline. When the procedure is performed properly, the incision should have hair growing through it, to hide the scar. However, if a scar remains visible, you may choose to conceal it with hair transplant surgery.
- The surgery can reduce the height of the forehead, but it can’t narrow a wide forehead. You’d need a hair transplant for that.
- A fair amount of scalp laxity (stretchiness) “is required to achieve a nice amount of lowering,” according to Dr. Wilson. Patients who don’t have enough skin laxity may need tissue expansion, to slowly stretch their scalp.
- You will have temporary numbness right behind the surgical incision. The numbness usually fades in four to six months, as the nerves regrow.
How much does a forehead reduction surgery cost?
Average Cost:
£7,900
Several factors affect the cost of hairline lowering, including where the procedure is performed.
Forehead reduction is not covered by insurance, but you may be able to finance your procedure with 0% finance available through the hospital.
Who's a good candidate for forehead reduction?
The best candidates for hairline lowering surgery have a high forehead, good scalp mobility, minimal to no frontal hairline thinning, and a desire to change the proportions of their facial features.
The procedure is ideal for patients who find it hard to conceal their high forehead with their hairstyles.
We can also perform the procedure in conjunction with a brow lift (to reduce sagging and smooth wrinkles) or contouring a prominent forehead bone, which can also shorten the brow-to-hairline distance.
Forehead reduction is more common in women than men because this surgery is best for people who were born with a high hairline, not for those trying to combat a receding hairline from male- or female-pattern baldness. If the hairline continues to recede due to hair loss, the incision site can become visible. This can, however, be concealed with a hair transplant.
Male patients who are appropriate candidates are typically older, with no family history of hair loss, explains Dr. Wilson. He also performs forehead reduction surgery on female gender-affirmation patients who want a lower, more feminine-looking hairline. In these cases, a forehead reduction procedure may also be combined with a brow bone reduction, during which the surgeon shaves down the orbital bone at the top of the eye socket, under the eyebrow, to make a large forehead less prominent.
How is forehead reduction surgery performed?
Forehead reduction surgery typically takes two hours, depending on the laxity of the scalp and degree of advancement. The procedure is performed under a general anaesthetic either as a day case or overnight stay.
Here's how the procedure works.
- Your surgeon marks the line of your planned new hairline with you, this is typically at the level of your upper most brow crease, and makes an incision.
- The hair-bearing scalp is mobilized then moved forward one to three centimetres. The hairline will be secured in its anterior position with some type of fixation, we use the ‘Endochor’ device.
- Any excess forehead skin is removed. A brow lift may also be performed at this stage.
- Your surgeon then closes the incision with two layers of stitches and possibly surgical clips.
- Finally, a surgical pressure dressing will be applied for 24 hours to prevent swelling. The drain is removed the following day.
In cases where the scalp skin is not elastic enough to move forward, a tissue expander can be placed under the scalp. As it is inflated over four to eight weeks, it will slowly stretch the scalp skin, to provide the necessary laxity.
Once the skin is sufficiently stretched, your surgeon will remove the expander and finish your hairline lowering procedure.
How long does recovery take?
Recovery is different for each patient. Most people can resume normal activities by one week, though there may be some pain, redness, swelling, and bruising.
Some patients take a week of downtime after hairline lowering, to let any swelling or bruising that may occur resolve before they head back to work. Others are able to return to work or school as soon as two days later, wearing a headband or hat or brushing their hair forward to hide the sutures.
Recovery from forehead reduction is actually quite easy. Most of my patients are able to fly back home the first day after the procedure without any head dressing and be fully presentable one week later. There is typically minimal or no swelling or bruising around the eyes. Within two months, hairs will be growing through the incision, and it’s usually not very visible.
We will guide you through your recovery recommendations, which may include:
- taking prescribed pain medication to ease any discomfort during the first few days.
- avoiding strenuous activities for the first two to three weeks.
- keeping your head elevated (even while sleeping) to minimize swelling and bruising.
- keeping the incision clean and checking for any signs of infection
Your surgical stitches or clips will be removed about a week post-procedure.
It takes about six months for the incision site to fully heal and fade, but most patients can style their hair in a way that hides the incision as it heals.
Are forehead reduction surgery scars visible?
You will have a forehead reduction surgery scar, but it should be easily hidden under your hair. Hair follicles are buried under the incision, so hair will grow in front of it and effectively hide scars.
If your natural hair growth post-surgery doesn’t conceal the scar as much as you would like (or you have unexpected hair loss), hair grafting can help to camouflage it.
How long does forehead reduction last?
Hairline lowering results are permanent. The hairline, once lowered, should stay in its lower position for a lifetime. I have seen patients, eight years after forehead reduction surgery, with their hairline in the exact same location it was right after their procedure.
What are the risks of forehead reduction surgery?
In general, forehead reduction surgery is very safe. You can expect bruising and swelling during the healing process, but most forehead reduction surgeries are very easy to recover from, and the risks are small.
That said, every surgical procedure has risks. Forehead reduction surgery carries risks of:
- infection
- numbness around the incision (usually temporary, but occasionally more long- lasting)
- bleeding
- visible scarring
- discomfort
- asymmetry
- hair loss at the incision site (usually temporary, but permanent in rare cases)
- shock hair loss may result in larger areas of temporary hair loss, this is alarming but fortunately rare.
During your initial consultation, we will talk you through these potential complications and how to mitigate them, including the use of Minoxidil and multivitamins.
Reviews
Forehead Reduction: A New Confident Me!
Genetics has given me a long face, throw in a high forehead and slightly receding hairline - at the sides - finally gave me the determination and courage to do something about it. After a couple of years of researching the procedure and finding the right person to do the op...... I found that Paul Wilson, the best person for the job! Form the very beginning, Paul was very attentive, informative and...
Forehead Reduction: Fantastic Doctor, Highly Recommend - My scar is healing well and the aftercare has been fantastic
I had a forehead reduction with Mr. Wilson and cannot fault the care Paul and his team have given me. I did a lot of research and am so pleased I found Paul, with my only regret being I didn't have this procedure done sooner. My scar is healing well and the aftercare has been fantastic. Thank you!
Forehead Reduction: Forehead reduction changed my life! Now feel confident wearing hair tied back
I cannot express how much Paul has changed my life with this procedure, it is something I have thought about for years and I eventually went for it. From initial consultation through to aftercare, I have received nothing but 5 star care from Paul and his team. Paul's knowledge, experience, and attention to detail is exceptional and I couldn't be more happier. Any questions I had regarding aft...
Forehead Reduction: The scar is minimal after only 6 weeks; excited to see the results
I have never undergone any form of procedure, or any cosmetic injections so was very nervous to go straight in with a forehead reduction. Paul made me feel very at ease, and calm all the way from my consultations to the current day (6 weeks post op). Paul throughly went through all there was to know and more, making sure I knew I what I was signing up for and clearly looked out for my best...
Forehead Reduction: Foreheadplasty due to having a high & thinning hairline
Had foreheadplasty due to have a high & thinning hairline. Best this I've ever done and so glad I chose Paul Wilson. He is extremely caring and approachable, an amazing surgeon. He totally understood me and what I was after. I have been left over the moon and this has seriously changed my life. Incredible man! After photos with 1 more recent. So glad I had this surgery done, so m...
Forehead Reduction: 7.5cm to 5.5cm forehead reduction 2 months post-op - truly life changing
I had always been self conscious about my forehead and was always bullied for it at school. Later on in life, it had got so bad that I wanted to end my own life, I would always worry about my apprearance and try to hide my forehead with various fringes. When I could afford hairline lowering surgery, I chose Paul because I was really impressed with his portfolio of previous patients who had...
For more information contact:
Email: info@paulwilsonaesthetics.co.uk
Tel: 07480 125890 / 0117 9116781
Before and After Photos
