Top 10 Factors to Keep in Mind When Undergoing Forehead Reduction

Forehead reduction surgery refers to the reshaping and resizing of the forehead skin to impart a smaller and more  proportionate forehead and upper face. It is also commonly known as hairline lowering surgery. Forehead reduction is an integral aspect of introducing a better face harmony. This procedure lowers the natural hairline and gives desirable changes to the forehead.

Many people desire forehead reduction surgery as it substantiates the natural aesthetics in the face. Some people have disproportionately large foreheads that do not suit other facial features and stand out. They opt for forehead reduction surgery to look more aesthetic and balanced.

Here we discuss ten common factors to keep in mind when opting for a forehead reduction surgery.

1- What is forehead reduction surgery?

Forehead reduction is an invasive approach to recreate a short and proportionate forehead. It may be a part of other surgeries making up the larger purview of forehead surgeries that aim to create smooth round contours with reduced forehead length. These are the characteristics of an aesthetic forehead.

2- Ideal Candidates for Forehead Reduction Surgery

• Anyone without a genetic history of hair loss.
• Individuals longing to curate a balanced and proportionate facial feature.
• The major requirement is that patients should have a high forehead, considerable scalp elasticity, and no hair thinning.
• Scalp laxity is necessary as the bounciness of the scalp has a direct influence on the result. If the scalp lacks elasticity, tissue expansion is needed before the procedure.
• Most of the individuals who choose to undergo forehead reduction surgery are those with high hairlines.
• Anyone with an abnormally huge, broad or flat forehead can transform your facial appearance.
• Trans women looking for facial feminization

3- Main Reasons Patients Go for Forehead Reduction Surgery

Here are a few common reasons for people to opt for forehead reduction procedures in order to enhance their  aesthetic appearance.

Broader and Flat Forehead

In some individuals, the anatomical build of the  frontal bone is flat. This presents them with a wider and high forehead. Moreover, a prominent bony elevation slopes across the sides of the forehead and above the eyes. The forehead may also be  leaning with a high, subsiding hairline.

Raised Hairline 

Some individuals’ hairline begins typically six to eight centimetres above the eyebrows, whereas in  others  this distance is around five centimetres. This difference is significant when it comes to facial appearance. If your forehead is raised, you may consider lowering your hairline with hairline lowering surgery.

Deep-Set Eyes and Low Eyebrows

Both eyes and eyebrows are prominent features on the face. In some people , the eyes look larger and wider as their eyebrows are placed higher and are more arched. When the eyes appear deeply placed and narrower, and the eyebrows are usually straighter and thicker .

In certain cases, the eyebrows are somewhat square-shaped and lower too. Additionally, eyebrows are placed deep on the orbital rim. The lower eyebrow positioning contributes to a more prominent forehead, paving the need for forehead reduction surgery, i.e., lowering the hairline, which often also gives a forehead lift.

While forehead reduction is primarily focused on lowering the hairline, many maxillofacial surgeons incorporate a host of associated procedures for a better look.

4- Goals of Forehead Reduction Surgery

Forehead Reduction surgery, also termed as hairline lowering surgery or scalp advancement surgery, is a surgical procedure to reduce the space between the brow line and the hairline. Maxillofacial surgeons remove a section of the forehead skin and bring the scalp forward and downward. This decreases the size of the forehead and balances the facial features.

Forehead reduction is often used to create a more aesthetic shape to the face. Since the aim is to shorten the distance between brow-to-hairline, forehead reduction can be performed in tandem with brow lifts and contouring of the prominent forehead bone, though this is not mandatory.

This combined approach is effective at levelling forehead lines and furrows by raising the eyebrows into a more youthful outline. It also addresses vertical frown folds between the eyebrows.

5- Cost of the Forehead Reduction Surgery

There is no standard cost for the procedure. The excellence and expertise of a renowned qualified surgeon combined with the sophisticated techniques and technologies used in forehead reduction contribute to the cost. The facilities and efficiency of the surgeon imparts accuracy and precision to the procedure.

Currently maxillofacial surgeons devise innovative and ultra modern technologies and techniques such as three-dimensional imaging and simulators to aid patients in assessing their postoperative results. Moreover, for an intensified outcome,  procedures such as brow lift, hair transplantation, and orbital contouring are also done.

The additional procedures ensure the best results. Providing an aesthetic scar, offering superior treatment planning and having access to sophisticated techniques decide the cost in large.

6- Are forehead reduction surgery scars noticeable?

Usually, the scars are very well-concealed. They are well-masked under the hairline. Moreover, few hair follicles are tucked under the incision, new hairs extend out along with the surgical scars. This makes them unnoticeable.

During forehead reduction surgery, a proficient maxillofacial surgeon in Delhi will ensure to make the incisions within the hairline while securing the hair follicles. The forehead is resized and extra forehead skin under the incision site is removed. The forehead and hairline are decreased to impart a natural aesthetic before incisions are closed. The incision is hidden in the hairline. Even though scarring occurs during healing, it fades as the wound heals. It typically fades away within a few weeks.

7- Procedures Done Along With Forehead Reduction Surgery

Certain additional procedures are often performed with hairline lowering to enhance the forehead appearance, though this is not compulsory. However, they do add beauty to your natural aesthetic, anf these include:

Forehead Recontouring

Forehead recontouring reshapes the bone structure of the forehead. To enhance the appearance, it is required to remove the prominent bony edges and protuberances that are visible on the forehead in some individuals. This transforms a flat forehead into a smooth and circular and aesthetic one. The bone between the eyebrows projects considerably in some individuals. This is also resolved by the shaving and inward repositioning of the bone with the Piezotome.

Orbital Recontouring

Some  faces have a prominent brow ridge, right above the eyes where others have smooth brows without this protuberance. Brow bone recontouring involves softening this ridge. Your surgeon performs this along with forehead reshaping through the same incision for fine results in forehead reduction surgery.

Brow Lift

A brow or forehead lift includes re-adhering the muscles under the eyebrows at a higher position. This approach eliminates the wrinkles to create a youthful appearance along with raising eyebrows for better aesthetics. The repositioning lifts the forehead and eyebrows to an elevated position on the forehead,  makes the forehead smaller with a youthful look.

8- Technology Implemented in Forehead Reduction Surgery

The latest technologies implemented in the procedure are as follows:

Crisalix 3D – A three-dimensional imaging and visualisation software may be used before the procedure. It helps both the surgeon and patient assess and analyse the postoperative results before the surgery. Therefore, both the patient and surgeon can anticipate the outcome and plan accordingly.

Once the surgeon and patient assess the most desirable results, they can incorporate other procedures that could enhance the outcome of forehead reduction.

While this is not compulsory for forehead surgery, your surgeon may opt for Piezotome technology  for bone cutting and reshaping. It targets the bone without injuring the adjacent vital blood vessels nerves and tissues. With the most advanced technology, forehead reduction procedures assure precise outcome. The precision enhances the healing and ensures better results.

9- The Forehead Reduction Surgery Procedure

The entire procedure begins with a preoperative phase which involves your physical examination, medical history and an evaluation of the tissues. Your surgeon prepares you for the surgery with a few guidelines:

• Cessation of alcohol and smoking 2 weeks before and after the procedure
• Discontinuation of blood thinning medications, if any. This is to avoid any unprecedented haemorrhage during the surgery
• Forehead reduction is a day-care procedure, that is you can leave the hospital within hours of hospital stay unless associated procedures are done
• You are administered general anaesthesia. Then the surgeon marks the incision along the hairline and another incision along the area of planned skin excision.
• The surgeon then frees away your scalp tissue from the underlying bone and pulls the entire scalp forward by a few centimetres. A carefully carved out section of your forehead skin and tissue is then removed .
• Your surgeon can also perform additional procedures like brow bone contouring and a brow lift to enhance the outcome. Then the incision is sutured in the hairline to ensure minimal scarring.

Along with the primary procedure, other procedures are also done for better appearance. These procedures belong to the larger aspect that modifies the upper third of the face. They are:

• Orbital Recontouring: This procedure reduces the protruding brow bone creating a beautiful bony framework for the eyes. The bone around the eyes is reshaped more aesthetically to make the eyes look bigger and more prominent.
• Brow Lift: This procedure repositions the eyebrow muscles and tissues to lift the eyebrows and forehead to an elevated position. It imparts rejuvenation to your face by building a lifted, younger-looking and smaller forehead.
• Hair Transplantation: This procedure involves transplanting hair for a lower and bushier hairline. It ensures a youthful and aesthetic appearance. Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), and Advanced FUE are a few common hair transplant methods.

Surgery is completed with wound suturing. They will be covered with bandages to allow mild pressure on the sutures.

10- Post Operative Care, Recovery and Results of  Forehead Reduction Surgery

Forehead reduction is a day-care procedure. You may leave the hospital within a few hours post-surgery.  It is a minimally invasive procedure, so you can resume most of your routine activities within the same week.

You may encounter postoperative signs which regress during the healing phase. They include swelling and scalp numbness that regress within a few weeks.

Recovery is largely dependent on post-operative care too. Strictly adhere to all the guidelines of your surgeon. You are administered antibiotics and analgesics for a speedy recovery.

On complete recovery from forehead reduction you will have the facial appearance of your choice. The results patients attain from forehead reduction surgery are marked to the precise design and appearance they long for. It ensures a natural-looking forehead.

Certain risks are expected in forehead reduction if the procedure is performed by an inexperienced and unqualified surgeon. They include haemorrhage, adverse effects of anaesthesia, wound infection, excessive scarring, permanent nerve injury, among others.

If you are opting for forehead reduction, Dr. Sanchaita Kohli is a well-qualified and expert maxillofacial surgeon in Delhi practicing at RG Aesthetics. Her expertise and excellence in forehead reduction assure superior results in forehead reduction surgery as she works with utmost care and precision.