Forehead reduction surgery
Forehead reduction surgery is a cosmetic procedure that can help reduce the height of your forehead.
Large forehead may be due to genetics, hair loss or other cosmetic procedures. This surgery option – also known as scalp reduction surgery – can help balance your facial proportions. This method is different from the lift method.
Read this article to know more about Forehead reduction surgery, including the risks of surgery, downtime and recovery, and know about best candidates for this surgery.
What is forehead reduction method?
Forehead shortening surgery is a surgical procedure that is usually performed under general anesthesia. Topical anesthesia is also used to reduce pain and bleeding.
Process:
Your plastic surgeon will perform the following steps during surgery:
The hairline and forehead area that need to be removed are marked with a surgical skin marker.
Great care must be taken to ensure that cutting along the hair does not damage the hair follicles and nerves.
The entire forehead, from the hairline to the top of the eyebrows, is anesthetized by using local anesthesia.
The incision is made along the marked area of the forehead and hairline (also called the pre-attack incision). The surgeon carefully removes the skin from the connective tissue beneath it and cuts the area that needs to be removed.
The top cut along the hairline is then pulled down to join the forehead cut. It closes the gap and shortens the forehead.
The skin is sutured in a way that minimizes scar formation and is almost completely hidden by the hairline after hair growth.
It should be noted that although short forehead surgery reduces the height of the forehead and may change the appearance of the eyebrows, it does not necessarily raise the eyebrows.
If necessary, a separate surgery called an eyebrow lift can be performed at the same time as the scalp reduction surgery.
Recovery
Following your forehead reduction, patients will experience considerable swelling and bruising. Bandages will be used to keep the incision site clean and eliminate post-op swelling. Your surgeon will prescribe certain procedures to assist with any swelling or further complications in the healing process.
In 3-4 days patients may be able to resume driving and engage in light work and daily activities. Patients should keep their head elevated at a 45-degree angle to reduce swelling.
within a week and a half after the surgery, you must return to the clinic for removing the stitches. You will also be asked to return approximately 2 to 4 weeks after the operation for postoperative examination.
Like any surgery that involves cutting, it must be cleaned and needs “Wound care” to be healed properly.
You often check for signs of infection at the incision area. Your doctor will also give you “wound care and recovery,how to reduce the pain, swelling and the risk of infection” instructions.
What are the possible risks and side effects?
All surgeries are associated with risks.
The risks of forehead reduction surgery include:
Bleeding during and after surgery
Side effects of general anesthesia
Allergy to general or local anesthesia
surgical wound infection
Nerve damage caused by cutting
Paraesthesia at the surgical site
Hair loss where the hairline is cut
The wound heals after cutting
For most people, the benefits of short forehead surgery outweigh the risks. If the surgery is performed by an experienced and skilled specialist, the risk of scarring and long-term effects is minimal.
Based on a research about forehead reduction surgery side effects, a small number of the patients experienced side effects lasting more than a year.
Are you a good candidate for forehead reduction surgery?
Forehead reduction surgery can be used to balance the overall facial structure. You may benefit from short forehead surgery If you have any of the following:
A long hairline and you want to lower your hairline
You have a big forehead and you want to shorten your forehead
Thick and disproportionate hair to the height of your hairline
Eyebrows are thin or low and you want to change your facial fit
You have recently had a hair transplant and you want to increase your hairline
Recently, you have had an eyebrow lift and you want to have your hairline pulled forward
However, even with these criteria, not everyone is a good candidate for forehead reduction surgery.
To have a successful forehead reduction surgery, first have a stretch of the scalp (the ability to stretch the tissues of the scalp). If you have a family history of baldness, short forehead surgery may not be right for you.
If there are any other medical conditions or problems that put you at risk for surgery, you should discuss about these with your doctor before surgery.
Are there alternatives to forehead reduction surgery?
If you are not a good candidate for forehead reduction surgery, there may be other options.
Eyebrow lift
If your forehead looks long because of the wide, long eyebrows, an alternative to forehead reduction surgery may be an eyebrow lift.
This procedure involves manipulating the muscles or changing the skin of the eyebrow area to raise the eyebrows on the face.
In some cases, raising the eyebrows makes the forehead look shorter.
Hair Transplant
If your forehead looks longer because of the back hairline, another option may be a hair transplant.This procedure involves taking the hair from the back of the scalp and transplanting the follicles along the front of the hairline. This method can also help shorten the forehead.
Take away
forehead reduction surgery, also known as hairline reduction surgery, is a cosmetic procedure used to shorten the length of the forehead.
If you feel that your forehead needs to change due to improper hairline, eyebrows or …, you are a good candidate for this surgery.
There are risks associated with forehead reduction surgery, including surgical complications, damaged nerves, wounds, and so on.
If you are looking for other options except forehead reduction surgery, talk to your doctor about eyebrow lifts or hair transplants.
