It is not uncommon for people to be concerned about their foreheads because they feel they are too large and out of proportion with the rest of their face. Hairline lowering surgery, also known as surgical hairline advancement or forehead reduction, is a cosmetic procedure that can permanently reduce the size of the forehead.
It is different from a surgical hair transplant; though it can also be used to lower the hairline, there are certain instances where a forehead reduction is preferred over it.
Here, you’ll learn more about the suitable candidates, procedure, recovery, risks and results of a hairline lowering surgery.
How Does A Hairline Lowering Surgery Work?
In a hairline lowering operation, a piece of skin is excised from the scalp and the hairline is brought forward. Typically, the procedure can lower the hairline by around 2 cm; although, in certain cases, the hairline might be lowered more than 5 cm.
Hairline Lowering Surgery vs Hair Transplant: Which Is Better?
Both hairline lowering surgery and a hair transplant can be done to reduce the size of the forehead. Sometimes, a combination of these procedures is recommended to achieve the best possible results.
The advantage of a surgical hairline advancement over a hair transplant is that it doesn’t change the density of the hair at the front. If a hair transplant is instead done, it may require anywhere from 3,500 to 7,000 grafts, according to research.
However, a hair transplant may be done sometime after hairline lowering surgery to help round out the corners of the hairline. The scar left behind by forehead reduction may also be hidden with this procedure.
A hair transplant is undoubtedly an effective procedure for permanently restoring hair. However, in certain cases, a forehead reduction may be preferred over it in order to achieve a smaller forehead.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Hairline Lowering?
You might be considered a suitable candidate for hairline lowering surgery in the following instances:
- You are unhappy about the size of your forehead and wish to reduce it.
- You have good scalp mobility/skin laxity.
- You want a rounder hairline for facial feminisation.
Khetpal S, Dahoud F, Elias A, Sasson DC, Wolfe EM, Lee JC. Feminization of the Forehead: A Scoping Literature Review and Cohort Study of Transfeminine Patients. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2024 Sep;48(18):3577-3588. doi: 10.1007/s00266-024-04143-6. Epub 2024 Jun 10. PMID: 38858245; PMCID: PMC11455672/CC BY 4.0
This surgery can be performed on both men and women, but it is mainly considered suitable for women. Male patients with androgenetic alopecia are at risk of having their surgical scar exposed as a result of progressive hair loss.
Therefore, if you have a family history of male pattern baldness, your doctor might advise you not to have this surgery. As your hairline recedes, the scar from your hairline lowering surgery will become oddly visible.
In women, since the pattern of hair loss is typically different — hair loss occurs at the top, but the frontal hairline is retained — they’re considered more suitable for hairline lowering.
How Is A Hairline Lowering Surgery Done?
For your hairline lowering surgery, your surgery will measure and mark the site of your existing hairline, followed by the drawing of the new one. You will be talked through the process before being headed to the operating room, where patients are typically given IV sedation for this surgery.
After the surgeon cuts into the skin, a gradual tension is applied to the scalp to move it forward. The excess skin is cut out, and the skin is sutured up near your new hairline. You’ll be able to see the reduction in the size of your forehead immediately afterwards.
Note that a hairline lowering surgery may be done in more than one stage, depending on the needs of the patient. Usually, forehead reduction is one-stage, but when a lowering of more than 3 cm may be required, your surgeon might do a two-stage procedure.
At first, a balloon tissue expander is used to stretch the skin of the patient for a period of 4-6 weeks. After the skin has been stretched sufficiently, the expander is taken out, and the next step of the surgery is performed, in which the skin is excised.
What Is The Recovery Time For Hairline Lowering Surgery?
Hairline lowering surgery can have a downtime of around 1 week. Though you will notice an immediate difference in the contour of your forehead, keep in mind that it can take 6-12 months for you to see the final results of your procedure.
During the recovery period, you can experience swelling, bruising, pain, redness, and numbness, however, these should get better with time. Rarely, patients can also experience temporary “shock” hair loss, but your hair should grow back in a few months. Should you ever feel that your recovery isn’t going normally, you must speak with your own surgeon.
What Are The Risks Of Hairline Lowering Surgery?
Like any other surgical procedure, hairline lowering carries certain risks. Some of them are as follows:
- Permanent hair loss
- Infection
- Numbness
- Bad scarring
- Seroma
- Hematoma
Make sure that you discuss all the potential risks of this procedure with your doctor beforehand.
Additionally, when choosing your surgeon, closely look at the hairlines of the patients to see if the results look natural. Done poorly, it can have a negative impact on your desired aesthetics.
How Much Does A Hairline Lowering Surgery Cost?
In the UK, a hairline lowering surgery may cost around £7,000, on average. Since it’s a cosmetic procedure, it’s unlikely to be covered by the NHS or private insurance.
In Turkey, on the other hand, which is a popular destination among medical tourists in the UK, the surgery might cost around £2,500. This is because of the lower cost of living and favourable exchange rates.
How Can You Lower Your Hairline Without Surgery?
You cannot physically lower your hairline without surgery. It’s possible to make it seem smaller through certain hairstyles or accessories. For instance, you can consider getting bangs, or you could wear a bandana to make your forehead appear different.
Interested In A Hair Transplant?
If your hairline is receding or you want to hide the scar of your hairline lowering surgery with hair implantation, get in touch with us to receive a personalised treatment plan. Longevita is a trusted facilitator of hair transplants with a 98% satisfaction rate. We’re more than happy to help!
Frequently Asked Questions
Since a hairline lowering surgery involves cutting into the skin, it will leave a scar behind. When done by a skilled practitioner, however, it will be well concealed by your hair.
When performed by a skilled and experienced practitioner, you can safely undergo a hairline lowering surgery. Although, you must keep in mind that the procedure still carries certain risks.
A piece of skin is excised from the scalp in a hairline lowering surgery; its results are permanent.
Dr Cagla
Dr Cagla earned her medical degree at Trakya University’s Faculty of Medicine in Bulgaria and has almost 6 years of hair transplantation experience. She is a specialist in FUE, DHI and Sapphire hair transplants of the scalp, eyebrows and beard and has performed over 6,000 surgeries. Dr Cagla is multilingual, with fluency in English, Bulgarian and Turkish.
