Forehead Reduction
Meet Walter M. Sweeney, MD
Dr. Walt Sweeney is a highly skilled and board-certified plastic surgeon, renowned for delivering exceptional, natural-looking results tailored to each patient’s unique goals. Known for his artistic eye and precision, Dr. Sweeney specializes in enhancing and rejuvenating the breast, body, and face, using the latest advancements in cosmetic surgery. His approach is rooted in collaboration, as he works closely with his patients to understand their vision and develop a customized treatment plan designed to help them look and feel their best.
Having a wide forehead can cause many people to feel dissatisfied with their appearance. Some people try to cover their foreheads with bangs, but that gives little room for appearance changes. Others may choose to undergo a hair transplant procedure. Additional options to address this concern is a procedure known as forehead reduction, which is the easiest and most cost-effective solution. At Azul® Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Spa, our providers offer forehead reduction procedures to patients wishing to lower their hairline.
Candidates
Good candidates for forehead reduction are women and men with a naturally high forehead that they are not content with. If you have thinning hair or an asymmetrical hairline, this procedure may be right for you, as it can make it seem like you have thicker hair at the front of your scalp.
The forehead reduction procedure is also recommended for those who have wrinkles on their forehead and desire a smoother, more youthful facial appearance. The surgery is often good for those looking to get results quicker than those offered with hair transplants, as you do not need to wait for the individual hair strands to grow.
Patients for this procedure should be non-smokers who are in good health. Moreover, the procedure is not for those predisposed to receding hairlines, as this could eventually cause the incision scars to become visible. Additionally, it is important to have reasonable expectations, as results depend on your forehead shape.
How Forehead Reduction Works
Forehead reduction, often referred to as “hairline lowering,” is a procedure where excess skin is removed from the top of your forehead. The technique is relatively similar to a facelift, but instead of pulling the face up, the scalp is actually pulled down.
The incisions are made along the hairline so that they are easy to conceal. Once the incisions heal, there should be little scarring, as they should be hidden by the hair. Additionally, we use fine, dissolvable sutures to carefully close the incisions, which barely leave visible marks.
The new location of the hairline should create a more harmonious facial expression, with a forehead that looks straighter, smaller, and more balanced to your entire face. Many women and men choose to combine this surgery with procedures like brow lifts to create a more youthful look.
Recovery
Recovery from forehead reduction can vary from patient to patient, as each person has their own healing rate. For the most part, you should be able to return to your usual routine within two weeks. If you have a desk job, you can get back to work within a week. However, if you have a job involving intensive labor, you should remain at home a few weeks longer.
Depending on how much skin has been removed from the forehead, the side effects can last for as little as a week to as long as a month or two. During that time, you may notice some swelling, bruising, and a certain degree of pain, which is normal after such a procedure. Numbness can appear in the area but should fade within a few days.
Risks of scarring and infection are rare but can happen if the post-op protocol is not thoroughly followed. Make sure to care for your incisions and avoid taking hot baths and showers within the first few days after the procedure. Our providers will usually ask you to keep the dressing on for at least two to seven days, after which you should come to the office and have it changed.
Results
Results from forehead reduction surgery are usually immediate, but swelling often conceals them. Immediately after surgery, it might look like your forehead is larger than you originally intended. However, within a few weeks, most of the swelling should be gone, and you can enjoy the final look of your forehead. The results are usually permanent, as long as you are thorough with your post-op care.
Once the incision has healed, the scar will likely be the only thing that remains, but it will be concealed in the hairline. The tissue there will mature with each passing month so that there is very little visibility after a year. Ultimately, your lowered hairline should improve your face proportions, look natural, and boost your confidence significantly.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you want to learn more about forehead reduction and whether this procedure suits you, contact us today to schedule your complimentary consultation.