Hairline lowering is a procedure that advances the hairline down the forehead, making the forehead appear shorter. This surgery is most often sought most by individuals who are bothered by their “big” forehead and want it to be less distracting.
Why undergo forehead shortening?
There’s a variety of reasons why men and women choose forehead shortening. In men, a high forehead can look like a receding hairline, which creates a problem for them. In women, a large forehead can often make them appear older or more masculine than they want. Either way, those with a prominent forehead dislike what they feel is a distraction from their other features. This may make them self-conscious and wear hats or different hairstyles to attempt to hide this issue.
Forehead shortening procedure details
Dr. Raggio performs forehead shortening with the patient under either local or general anesthesia. The procedure takes approximately 2 to 3 hours. Dr. Raggio will mark the forehead where the new hairline will be, and will then begin the surgery. The skin between the current hairline and the desired hairline will be excised, and the hairline will be carefully and precisely moved forward to create the new hairline. It will then be secured to its new position with bone anchors. The incisions will then be closed and you will be wrapped with a compression garment to assist with healing.
Recovery
The recovery period for forehead shortening is approximately 2 to 3 weeks. Patients may experience numbness at the new hairline, some bruising around the eyes, and/or swelling in the treated area. While the hairline numbness may last for a couple months, the swelling will subside within two weeks. Patients should not wash their hair for 48 hours following the procedure, and should not resume exercise or strenuous activities for two weeks (or until Dr. Raggio clears you to).
Results
At 3 to 6 months, your results will be finalized and you can enjoy wearing new hairstyles and feeling confident about your new hairline. Any residual scarring will continue to improve in appearance over time. Patients considering this procedure should be aware that occasionally a condition called “shock alopecia” can develop in which the entire scalp thins. This condition may last a few months, but is temporary.
Candidates for forehead shortening
- Are bothered by their large forehead
- Have a scalp that is loose enough for the procedure
- Have naturally thick hair
- Have no personal or genetic history of hair loss
- Are in overall good health
- Have realistic expectations for the procedure
Why choose the Alabama Center for Hair Restoration?
Dr. Blake Raggio has specialty training in hair procedures, and loves restoring the confidence of his hair treatment patients. At the Alabama Center for Hair Restoration at ALPRS, you will find an environment that is modern, professional, and upscale — but also warm and inviting, with a team that truly and genuinely cares about your results. When you choose to work with us, you will receive personalized care and customized and cutting-edge treatment plans. We are pleased to provide extraordinary service from every touchpoint to achieve results that are natural-looking and durable.