Forehead Reduction
What Happens in a Forehead Reduction and Why Do People Have it Done?
Although not as common as some procedures, many people are opting to get a forehead reduction. A high forehead, or one that is very large, can sometimes take away from features that are otherwise proportional. This can wind up making an individual feel self-conscious.
A high forehead can be the result of hair loss or due to genetics. Sometimes, it can be due to previous surgery. However, a forehead reduction can oftentimes result in a lower hairline or a visibly smaller forehead which can result in an overall increase in self-esteem.
If your hairline is very high, it can be lowered by using something called a Trichophytic Brow Lift. In this procedure, an incision is made at the hairline. A portion of the scalp that does not contain hair can then be removed which results in making the hairline appear lower. The hair follicles near the incision will eventually grow through it and hide the scar. It takes anywhere from 10 days to 2 weeks to recover from the procedure and is not recommended for men whose hairline is receding.
The cost for a forehead reduction is around $3500 on average. It is an outpatient procedure and the stitches are typically removed after one week. Pain medication is usually prescribed to help with the pain that is caused by the incision.
Women that have thick hair to begin with and men with a high hairline are good candidates for this procedure. The hairline can be lowered a couple of inches by doing this.
Some individuals simply choose to have their eyebrows raised. This is a much less invasive surgery and can often give the individual the appearance of having a smaller forehead, even though the forehead has not really been altered. This procedure is also less expensive than the forehead reduction surgery.
Grafting hair to the front of the hairline is another option when it comes to forehead reduction. Sometimes, both of these procedures are done together for a maximum effect. People that have a thinning hairline or those that want to reduce their forehead around 1-2 cm can opt for the follicular unit hair grafting procedure. Hair grafts are taken from the back of the head and transplanted to the front of the scalp which gives the individual a more natural look.
After the forehead reduction procedure, there will be some bruising and swelling. Ice compresses can be used to control the swelling. A drain might be used to help get rid of the fluids and that can collect in the tissues. The individual might also experience numbness and slight pain, both of which will eventually subside. It will be possible to shower and bathe your hair a couple of days after the procedure, or as soon as the bandages are taken off.
Some risks associated with forehead reduction are fluid accumulation, scarring, hair loss at the incision site, and infection. Any hair loss should grow back within a couple of months, however, and antibiotics are generally prescribed to help thwart infections. Unsightly scarring is usually covered by the new hair growth. However, in some cases the individual can opt to have an additional hair graft done in order to cover up the scars.
A forehead reduction is something that should be taken as seriously as any other surgery. A qualified surgeon should be found in order to carry out the procedure and all of the risks and concerns should be communicated before committing to it. Although, in terms of surgery, the procedure is relatively safe, there are always going to be risks.