Recovery FAQs for Forehead Reduction Surgery

Forehead Reduction Surgery Recovery Q&A

Forehead reduction surgery, also known as hairline lowering surgery is used to lower the hairline for individuals who have a naturally higher hairline and/or larger forehead. The goal for this procedure is to reduce the amount of distance between the hairline and the eyebrows making the forehead more feminine. 
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Q: Can you explain how the surgery is performed? 
A: The surgeon draws the outline of the new hairline, and using a wave-pattern, the incision is made. Once the incision is made, the section of the hair-bearing scalp will be pulled forward to create the new hairline. Depending on the scalp laxity, 1-3 centimeters of excess skin can be removed. Endotine is used to fixate the scalp and the remaining parts are stitched together. The endotine dissolves within a year after surgery. The surgery is about 1-1.5 hours, and the stitches are removed 10-14 days after surgery. The pain is minimal, the swelling is mostly on the forehead and eye area and the scalp will feel numb it has fully healed.

Q: How many centimeters can you reduce? 
A: With the hairline lowering surgery, customizing the design of the forehead shape to fit with the facial features will give the best results. The ideal length of forehead is between 5-6 centimeters and almost any type of forehead shape can be altered with this surgery.1 -3 centimeters can be reduced, with 1 centimeter being the minimum size of reduction, and for some cases, more than 3 centimeters can be reduced based on the scalp’s elasticity.      

Q: What am I not allowed to do during the recovery period?
A: Do not rub your eyes excessively for 4 weeks after surgery. Avoid touching the areas where the endotine has been placed. Do not have your eyebrows tweezed, plucked or removed for one month after surgery. To read the whole list, please check Forehead Reduction Surgery Recovery Timeline. 

Q: Can an M-shape or squared hairline can get a rounded hairline? 
A: For people who have widow’s peaks (M-shaped hairline), the hairline lowering surgery is usually not recommended by surgeons. However, at ID Hospital, the surgeons have experience with this type of hairline so they can create a more balanced hairline, but it will not result in a round shape, see example below.    

Q: Does it affect the baby hair around the hairline or hair growth on the incision area? 
A:The incision is done on the natural hairline in a zig-zag pattern to conceal the scars naturally with the hairline. The hair will grow around within a few months so the scars will be well hidden. You can experience temporary hair loss, but the hair will grow back within 4-6 months. 

Q: Do you need metal pins for the surgery? 
A: No, endotine is used to fixate the scalp and dissolves within a year after surgery.
  
 Q: Is the scar more visible on darker skin-toned individuals? 
A: The scar will be more visible, the darker your skin tone is, however, it will fade over time.

Q: Does it affect the eye brow position? 
A: No, the eyebrows remain the same.

Q: How do you know if this surgery is for you? 
A: If you have a high forehead, and the size is disproportionate with the rest of your face, then this surgery will help lower your hairline. Asymmetric, high and broad, prominent forehead shapes can be benefit from this surgery. For M-shaped hairline (widow’s peak), depending on the degree which the hairline is extended, the surgery can or cannot be done. For males with really prominent widow’s peak, forehead reduction surgery alone will not be enough to change the hairline; they may need an additional hair transplant. 

Q: How long until public ready? How long to heal completely?
A: Post-surgery, you will experience swelling around your face and scalp, however, the major swellings will go down within the first week after surgery. Stitches will be removed 2 weeks after surgery and patients can safely fly back home after. Scar will remain red throughout the first 2 to 6 months after surgery, and will take 12 to 18 months for it to heal completely. You can hide the scar with makeup 2-3 months after surgery.

Q: Can men have the procedure?
A: Yes, Men can have this procedure. However, the hairline lowering surgery is not suitable for patients suffering from male pattern baldness, receding hairline or very prominent widow’s peak (mostly men).
  
Q: How noticeable is the scarring? How much of the scar will fade? 
A: Healing time for the scar differs per individual. The incision is not cut in a straight line, rather in a wave like pattern to avoid creating very visible scars. It is hidden at the hairline, so it looks natural, and as the scars fade (usually within 6-12 months) with the proper post-surgery care, it is becomes almost undetectable. A visible scar may still exist, but usually it is mild for anyone to really notice after the first year. 

Q: Can any treatment be used to help the scar heal faster? 
A: You can use a scar ointment to help fade the scar a little faster after the stitches have been removed.

Q: Will the forehead and eyebrows be stiff and numb afterwards? 
A: After surgery, you will experience numbness on the incision area and scalp but the sensations will slowly return 3 - 12 months post-surgery. 

Q: When can you wear a tight ponytail again? 
A: After one month post-surgery, you can tie a loose ponytail, and tighter ponytail can be done 2-3 months after.

Q: Will it pull up the face? 
A: No, the face will remain the same.    

Q: How long after can you resume using relaxer/perm for the hair? 
A: Avoid hair dye, relaxers, perms etc. for 3-6 months after surgery.

Q: Is it possible to have a forehead reduction revision surgery? 
A: All revision surgeries require a face to face consultation with a surgeon, to examine if the patient can have revision surgery. There needs to be an adequate amount of elastic skin available on the forehead, for a revision to be possible, so face to face consultation is a must.