What Causes a High Hairline or Prominent Forehead?
Several factors can contribute to the appearance of a prominent forehead or high hairline, including:
- Genetics: A naturally high hairline is often hereditary and present from birth.
- Hairline Recession: Age, hormonal changes, or other factors can cause the hairline to recede, creating the illusion of a larger forehead.
- Facial Proportions: An imbalance between the forehead, midface, and lower face can make the forehead appear more prominent.
While these traits are completely normal, many individuals seek hairline lowering surgery to feel more confident in their appearance. By expertly repositioning your hairline, our San Diego facial plastic surgeon Dr. Janet Chao can reduce the appearance of the forehead as well as improve the look and placement of your hairline.
How Hairline Lowering Surgery Can Help
A prominent forehead or high hairline can sometimes create an appearance that feels out of proportion with the rest of the face. For individuals who feel self-conscious about their forehead height or hairline position, hairline lowering surgery offers a highly effective solution. This procedure repositions the hairline to reduce forehead height, creating a more balanced and harmonious facial appearance.
Hairline lowering surgery addresses the concerns of a prominent forehead or high hairline by:
- Advancing the hairline to reduce forehead height
- Creating a more proportional and natural-looking hairline
- Enhancing facial balance and harmony
- Boosting confidence with a more pleasing facial aesthetic
Candidates
You may be a great candidate for a forehead reduction/hairline lowering procedure if you:
- Have a naturally high hairline or large forehead
- You have a stable hairline (not actively receding)
- Feel your forehead is out of proportion with the rest of your face
- Have good scalp elasticity to allow for hairline advancement
This procedure is suitable for both men and women who are in good health and have realistic expectations for the outcome. It is particularly effective for those who want to enhance facial proportions without the need for ongoing hair restoration treatments.
Other Forehead Procedure Options
While hairline lowering surgery is an effective solution for reducing the size of a prominent forehead, there are additional treatment options to enhance the appearance and balance of the forehead. These procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, can help you achieve a more youthful, refined look.
Forehead Lift (Brow Lift)
A forehead or brow lift does not reduce the size of the forehead, but it can greatly improve its appearance. This surgical procedure elevates sagging eyebrows, smooths deep forehead wrinkles, and softens lines between the brows. By lifting and rejuvenating the upper third of the face, a forehead lift creates a more open and refreshed appearance, enhancing facial harmony.
Neurotoxins for Forehead Smoothing
Botox and Daxxify are popular non-surgical options for addressing forehead concerns. They effectively reduce dynamic wrinkles caused by muscle movement, such as horizontal lines on the forehead or vertical “11” lines between the eyebrows. Botox and Daxxify injections are quick, minimally invasive, and require no downtime, making them a convenient option for those seeking subtle improvements to their forehead appearance.
Dermal Fillers for Forehead Contouring
For patients with hollow or uneven areas on the forehead, dermal fillers can add subtle volume and improve facial contours. This non-surgical treatment provides immediate results with minimal discomfort and downtime. Fillers can also be combined with Botox for a comprehensive rejuvenation of the forehead.
Combination Treatments
Depending on your personal goals and aesthetic preferences, Dr. Chao can recommend combining surgical and non-surgical procedures for the best results. For example, pairing a brow lift with Botox can achieve both structural improvement and wrinkle reduction.
During your plastic surgery consultation with Dr. Chao in San Diego, she will evaluate your unique features and discuss the most effective treatment options to meet your needs. Whether you choose surgery, non-surgical enhancements, or a combination of both, Dr. Chao’s expertise ensures natural-looking results that enhance your confidence and appearance.
What to Expect During a Hairline Lowering Procedure
Incision placement
Hairline lowering surgery with Dr. Chao is a straightforward outpatient procedure designed to reduce the height of the forehead and create more harmonious facial proportions. The process begins with incision placement, where Dr. Chao carefully makes an incision along the natural hairline. This precise placement minimizes visible scarring and ensures a seamless transition between the hairline and forehead.
Scalp advancement
Next, scalp advancement is performed. Dr. Chao skillfully moves the scalp forward to lower the hairline, achieving the desired reduction in forehead height. Her expertise ensures the hairline shape and symmetry naturally complement the patient’s unique facial features.
Excess skin removal
To complete the adjustment, Dr. Chao removes excess skin, trimming it carefully to ensure a smooth and proportional result. This step is critical for achieving balance and a refreshed appearance.
Closing the incisions
The procedure concludes with careful closure of the incision. Dr. Chao employs advanced surgical techniques and fine sutures to promote optimal healing and minimize scarring. Over time, the incision typically fades and blends naturally with the hairline, giving patients a boost in confidence with a beautifully proportioned look.
Forehead reduction surgery takes 2–3 hours, and most patients can return home the same day.
Recovery
Mild swelling, bruising, or discomfort around the forehead and scalp is common during the first few days after forehead reduction surgery. These symptoms are usually well-managed with prescribed pain medication and cold compresses. Most swelling and discomfort subside within 1–2 weeks, leaving patients to enjoy the initial results of their procedure.
Patients can generally return to non-strenuous activities, such as work or school, within 7–10 days. However, it’s important to avoid intense physical activities, heavy lifting, or exercises that might strain the forehead or scalp for at least 3–4 weeks to promote proper healing.
Caring for your hairline and scalp after your procedure
The aftercare instructions provided to you by Dr. Chao will be essential for optimal recovery and achieving ideal results. These may include:
- Keeping the incision site clean and dry to prevent infection.
- Using prescribed topical treatments or ointments to support healing and reduce scarring.
- Sleeping with your head elevated during the first week to minimize swelling.
- Avoiding hairstyles or products that may irritate the scalp until cleared by Dr. Chao.
- Protecting the area from direct sun exposure and using sunscreen to prevent discoloration of the healing scar.
By adhering to these aftercare instructions and attending regular check-ins, you can expect a smooth recovery and beautifully natural results! Dr. Chao and her team are always available to answer any questions and provide support throughout the healing journey.
Follow-up appointments
Follow-up appointments with Dr. Chao are an important part of the recovery process. During these visits, she will monitor your progress, remove sutures if necessary, and provide personalized guidance based on your healing.
“During pre-op appt Dr Chao explained the surgery thoroughly and she and her staff made me quite comfortable throughout the whole process. I had no problems post op and healing took about 2 weeks. She called me several times during the first few days after surgery which made me feel well taken care of. I would highly recommend Dr Chao for facial procedures.”
—5-Star Google Review
Results
Many patients notice an immediate improvement in the appearance of their forehead, with final results becoming fully visible as swelling subsides over the weeks following the procedure. The outcomes are long-lasting and natural-looking, enhancing overall facial harmony and helping patients feel more confident in their appearance for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose Restore SD Plastic Surgery?
At Restore SD Plastic Surgery, our highly-trained facial plastic surgeon Dr. Janet Chao has extensive experience performing hairline advancement procedures. She is fully dedicated to providing all patients with personalized care and delivering natural-looking, harmonious results that match your unique goals. Together, Dr. Chao and the all-female team at Restore SD will support and guide you through every step of your forehead reduction journey.
Dr. Chao’s elite facial plastic surgery training and remarkable attention to detail offers patients safe, natural-looking results. She will work closely with you to understand your goals and concerns to bring your aesthetic vision to life.
Ready to redefine your look? Contact us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Chao and learn how hairline lowering surgery can help you achieve the facial proportions you desire!
