Achieve a Balanced, Proportional Hairline with Hairline Lowering Surgery
Hairline lowering surgery, also known as forehead reduction surgery, is a transformative cosmetic procedure that reduces the height of the forehead by advancing the hairline. This procedure is ideal for individuals who feel their forehead is too prominent or out of proportion with their facial features—i.e. a high hairline or a large forehead appearance. By expertly repositioning the hairline, our San Diego facial plastic surgeon Dr. Janet Chao can create a more balanced and harmonious appearance that enhances overall facial aesthetics.
Ideal candidates
You may be a great candidate for hairline lowering surgery if you:
- Have a naturally high hairline or large forehead
- Possess good scalp flexibility to allow for advancement
- Are in good health and have realistic expectations for the procedure
This procedure is highly customizable and suitable for women and men with stable hairlines.
Why Consider Hairline Lowering Surgery?
Hairline lowering surgery can help you:
- Reduce the appearance of a high or prominent forehead
- Achieve better facial proportions and balance
- Enhance your overall appearance with a natural-looking hairline
- Feel more confident in your look
Your Consultation
During your consultation with Dr. Chao, you will have the opportunity to discuss your aesthetic goals and concerns in detail. Dr. Chao will carefully assess your facial proportions, hairline position, and scalp laxity to determine if hairline lowering surgery is right for you. Using advanced visualization tools, Dr. Chao will help you understand the potential results and answer any questions you may have about the procedure, recovery, and long-term outcomes. This personalized approach help us develop a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and desired appearance.
The Procedure: What to Expect
Hairline lowering surgery is performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on your comfort level and medical needs.
Preparing for Surgery
Dr. Chao will provide a personalized pre-surgery plan, which may include avoiding certain medications, stopping smoking, and arranging for post-operative care. Following these instructions will help optimize your results.
Dr. Chao’s Hairline Advancement Procedure
The procedure begins with precise incision placement, carefully planned along your natural hairline. Dr. Chao uses her expertise to ensure the incision is discreet and positioned to blend seamlessly with your existing hairline, reducing the visibility of scarring.
Next, Dr. Chao performs scalp advancement, gently releasing and repositioning the scalp forward to achieve the desired hairline position. This step is meticulously executed to create a smooth, natural transition between the hairline and forehead.
To enhance proportionality, excess skin is removed from the forehead. This step ensures a refined and harmonious outcome, reducing the appearance of a large forehead and complementing your facial features.
Finally, Dr. Chao completes the procedure with meticulous closure techniques. Using advanced suturing methods promotes optimal healing and minimizes scarring, with some hair even growing through the incision line for an undetectable result.
The surgery typically takes 2 to 3 hours to complete, and patients can return home the same day. Dr. Chao provides detailed aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery and long-lasting results.
Recovery
After your hairline lowering surgery with Dr. Chao, you can expect a straightforward recovery process with manageable downtime. Mild swelling and discomfort in the forehead and scalp area are normal during the first few days. Dr. Chao may prescribe pain medication or recommend over-the-counter options to help keep you comfortable during this initial healing phase.
Most swelling and tenderness subside within a week or two, and you’ll notice significant improvement as the area heals. During this time, you’ll be advised to avoid strenuous activities, bending over, or heavy lifting to minimize strain and promote proper recovery.
Stitches or staples used to close the incision are typically removed within 7 to 10 days. By this point, most patients feel well enough to resume non-strenuous activities, including returning to work. Dr. Chao will provide specific instructions tailored to your lifestyle and recovery needs.
Aftercare note: As you heal, it’s essential to follow all aftercare instructions closely. Keeping the incision site clean, avoiding sun exposure, and protecting the area from excessive movement will help ensure optimal results. Dr. Chao will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and address any questions or concerns.
While full healing can take several months, many patients are delighted with their results as soon as the swelling subsides, enjoying a more proportionate and natural-looking hairline.
Results
Patients who undergo hairline lowering surgery with Dr. Chao can expect an immediate, noticeable improvement in facial balance and harmony. The forehead appears shorter, and the hairline looks natural and well-proportioned. While some initial swelling may obscure the final outcome, most patients see significant improvement within a few weeks, with final results becoming fully visible after several months as healing completes.
The results of hairline lowering surgery are long-lasting and permanent, providing you with a rejuvenated appearance for years to come. However, natural factors like aging or hair thinning due to genetics may affect the hairline over time.
To optimize your results, it’s essential to follow Dr. Chao’s post-operative care instructions, including protecting your incision site from sun exposure and avoiding excessive tension on the scalp. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and addressing any potential hair loss concerns proactively, such as through supplemental treatments or medications, can further enhance your long-term satisfaction.
- Key Benefits
- Glossary
- Reduces forehead size by adjusting the hairline to create a more balanced facial appearance.
- Fully customizable to meet each patient’s unique needs and aesthetic goals.
- Permanent results that are long-lasting and seamlessly integrate with your natural hairline.
- Alopecia: A condition characterized by hair loss, which can be relevant when discussing the density and integrity of the hairline.
- Anesthesia: A medical treatment that prevents pain during surgery, either through local, general, or intravenous sedation.
- Cosmetic Surgery: A type of surgery performed to enhance or improve aesthetic appearance.
- Facial Plastic Surgery: A specialized field of surgery focusing on aesthetic and reconstructive procedures for the face, head, and neck.
- Follicular Density: The number of hair follicles per square centimeter, crucial for a natural-looking hairline after surgery.
- Forehead: The upper part of the face between the hairline and eyebrows, often a focal area for hairline lowering or forehead reduction surgery.
- Forehead Reduction: Also called hairline lowering surgery, a procedure designed to reduce the vertical height of the forehead.
- Graft: A piece of tissue or hair follicles transplanted during the procedure to enhance the natural appearance of the hairline.
- Hairline: The edge where the forehead meets the hair, defining the overall balance of the face.
- Hairline Advancement: A surgical technique that moves the hairline forward to shorten the forehead and improve facial proportions.
- Incisions: Surgical cuts made to access underlying tissue or adjust the hairline, typically along the forehead.
- Large Forehead: A condition where the forehead appears disproportionately tall, often corrected with forehead reduction or hairline advancement surgery.
- Lateral Temporal Hair: The hair located on the sides of the head, which is considered during hairline reshaping for symmetry.
- Scalp Laxity: The flexibility or looseness of the scalp, which determines how much the hairline can be advanced.
- Sutures: Stitches used to close incisions, ensuring proper healing and minimal scarring.
- Temporal Area: The regions on the sides of the forehead, often adjusted to maintain symmetry in hairline lowering surgery.
- Tissue Mobilization: A surgical technique used to release and reposition the scalp for hairline advancement.
- Trichophytic Closure: A specialized suturing method that encourages hair growth through the incision line for seamless results.
- Visualization: The process of using imaging or planning tools to map out the new hairline position before surgery.
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 facial rejuvenation 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.
Take the first step toward a more confident you. Contact us at Restore SD Plastic Surgery today to schedule your consultation for hairline lowering surgery and discover how we can help you achieve a look you’ll love!
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References »
Espinosa J, Solís L, Cobo R, Heredia N, Puerta M, Corredor D, Fonseca C. Forehead Reduction Surgery with Hairline Advancement. Facial Plast Surg. 2024 Jan 30. doi: 10.1055/a-2235-7312.
Vila PM, Somani SN, Wafford QE, Sidle DM. Forehead Reduction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Outcomes. Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med. 2022 Jan-Feb;24(1):34-40. doi: 10.1089/fpsam.2020.0474.
Berenguer, Beatriz et al. Aesthetic forehead reduction in female patients: Surgical details and analysis of outcome. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, Volume 75, Issue 1, 407 – 414.
