The size of one’s forehead can differ significantly from one another. In some cases, people are born with a larger forehead, but for others, their forehead may increase over time due to a receding hairline. Regardless of the cause, high hairlines can be managed in Miami, Florida by performing a forehead reduction surgery to reduce the size of the forehead and improve the balance between other facial features.
What is forehead reduction surgery?
Before and after hairline lowering surgery, where the forehead was reduced in height by almost 1 ¾ inches.
Forehead reduction surgery is a cosmetic procedure designed to reduce the size of a disproportionate forehead, whether you were born with it or acquired it through hair loss. Hairline-lowering surgery or forehead reduction surgery works by advancing the hairline forward. In addition, excess forehead skin is removed, which can change the position of the eyebrows but does not raise them.
The goal of forehead reduction surgery is to create a naturally looking aesthetic for the face by improving the overall proportions of the facial features. To accomplish this goal, forehead reduction can be combined with a hair transplant and/or brow lift surgery.
Am I a Good Candidate for Forehead Reduction Surgery?
The ideal candidate for a forehead reduction surgery is one who was born with a high forehead and has no appreciable hair loss. This situation is typically more common in women, but men can be present with this combination, as well.
Another critical factor in determining an ideal candidate is the laxity of the forehead skin. The skin of the scalp must be elastic enough to allow it to be advanced 20 mm ideally, but this procedure can still be performed if there is only 16 mm of advancement.
An ideal candidate should be in good physical and mental health to help reduce the chance of complications. The candidate should not smoke and should have realistic expectations as to what the procedure can do for them.
If you are interested in learning if you are a candidate, Dr. Epstein may ask for you to provide a video of your scalp laxity before performing an evaluation. If you are not a good candidate, he will be able to suggest other options such as hair transplant that can help you achieve the desired results.
Average Cost of Forehead Reduction Surgery
In Miami, forehead reduction costs can range from $8,000 to $10,000. This price can vary between patients because multiple factors must be considered when determining the overall costs. Dr. Epstein will evaluate your individualized needs and desires to produce a customized plan. Once this plan has been developed, Dr. Epstein can provide you with the detailed total cost of the procedure so that you can fully understand and make a decision free from surprises.
Hair transplant surgery can be an effective alternative to the hairline lowering surgery, particularly when primarily rounding out is desired — here is a patient before and after one procedure of 2,800 grafts
Before
After
Before and after hairline lowering procedures/forehead shortening surgery, also called the surgical hairline advancement for the lowering of the hairline by 3 cm.
Before and just two weeks after hairline lowering/forehead reduction surgery
Factors Determining the Cost of Forehead Reduction
Forehead reduction costs include factors such as the need for additional procedures, geographic location, surgeon experience, and fees associated with surgical assistants and support staff. These factors are discussed in detail at your first consultation to provide upfront pricing to allow you to determine if a forehead reduction is right for you.
Additional Procedures
In patients who may also have a receding hairline or sagging brows, additional procedures may be necessary to produce the best results. With a receding hairline, Dr. Epstein may recommend a hair transplant to be performed with the forehead reduction. The hair transplant will harvest individual hair follicles from a donor area and transplant them into the areas of hair loss, re-establishing a natural hairline.
Similarly, a brow lift can be performed to enhance the eyebrows and dramatically improve the facial features when combined with a forehead reduction surgery.
When additional procedures are added to the surgery, this will ultimately raise the overall costs but can help maximize the transformative potential of the surgery.
Geographic Location
The demand for forehead reduction procedures varies depending on the location where one is seeking treatment. Large cities, such as Miami, will have a much higher demand for this procedure as well as higher costs of operating, which results in higher procedural pricing. This trend is also seen in cities along the East and West Coast, where the demand for cosmetic procedures is higher.
Surgeon’s Experience
The surgeon’s experience is arguably the most important factor when deciding to undergo a forehead reduction surgery. This experience is beneficial to help identify additional procedures that could maximize the results and can result in fewer complications. Selecting a surgeon who has successfully performed forehead reduction surgery numerous times is invaluable, and can prevent the need for additional procedures to fix poorly done procedures.
There is a higher demand for experienced plastic surgeons which will result in them having higher prices to remain competitive in their market. Top plastic surgeons spend significant amounts of time and money staying current on new techniques that improve the outcomes for their patients. This additional training and education can increase the costs of forehead reduction surgery.
Researching your surgeon by reading reviews and looking at before and after (post-operative) photos helps to provide an example of their quality of work without even stepping foot in the office.
Surgical and Support Staff Fees
Forehead reduction surgeries are performed under general anesthesia at an ambulatory surgery center or the hospital. Therefore, additional facility fees, anesthesia fees, and support staff fees will need to be factored into the total cost of the procedure. These fees will all be included in the detailed cost of the procedure.
Does Insurance Cover Forehead Reduction Surgery?
Forehead reduction surgery is a cosmetic procedure and therefore most insurance companies will not cover the procedure. Since the procedure is not covered, each patient must pay for the procedure out-of-pocket. Therefore, during the initial consultation, a detailed summary of the cost of the procedure will be discussed. This gives you the financial commitment needed to perform the desired procedure.
Are Financing Options Available?
Yes. Foundation Aesthetic Hair Restoration provides multiple financing options that allow you to pay for the procedure over time. These options will be discussed during the initial consultation so that you are aware of all your choices before choosing to proceed with a forehead reduction. However, ensuring this procedure makes financial sense for your situation is essential.
Planning a Forehead Reduction Surgery
During the initial consultation, Dr. Epstein must determine if the scalp has enough skin laxity to be advanced to where the new hairline is planned. The presence of hair loss and the need for additional procedures will be evaluated as well. With your input, Dr. Epstein and you will develop a customized plan that meets your goals, and the specifics regarding the surgery will be explained. The initial consultation can be done in person or online, depending on what best fits your schedule.
An essential step to perform before the initial consultation is to write down the goals and desires that you wish to accomplish with a forehead reduction surgery. This will allow you to communicate these goals to Dr. Epstein so that the best experience-driven recommendations can be made to achieve these goals. It is important to have a truthful and frank conversation with Dr. Epstein during this appointment. If you do not make your goals known, you will often be less satisfied with the results, which can lead to additional procedures.
What To Expect During a Forehead Reduction Surgery
Forehead reduction surgeries are performed under general anesthesia. Once all verification procedures are completed, you will be placed under a general anesthetic by an anesthesia team and incisions will be made across the forehead to remove excess skin. These incisions are made in such a way as to prevent damage to the surrounding hair follicles ensuring that hair will grow through the scar after the procedure. The hairline is then advanced and secured in place using Endotine® clips, which dissolve over the next six months, placed in the skull to prevent the hairline from receding back to its original position.
If no additional procedures are needed, it will typically take less than two hours for this procedure to be completed. Once completed, you will awaken from anesthesia and recover in a post-surgical unit. After recovery, you will be able to return home the same day to complete your recovery in the comfort of your own home.
Patient Testimonials
What To Expect After the Procedure
After the procedure, it is common for patients to experience bruising, swelling, and mild discomfort. Pain medications can be taken during the initial post-op recovery phase but typically will not be needed for more than a few days. The bruising will dissipate after about one week, but the swelling may require additional time to resolve. Sleeping with the head elevated will help minimize swelling and aid healing.
Most patients will take a week or two to recover from the procedure and can return to work once they feel comfortable, usually after 10 to 14 days. In general, most patients can resume normal activities after one to two weeks post-surgery. However, you will be asked to refrain from strenuous exercise for six weeks.
Over the next six months, the incision will fully heal and the scar will begin to fade and become less noticeable. However, during this time, many patients elect to cover the incision using hats, headbands, and hairstyles to cover the incision. Hair will also begin to grow through the incision after a couple of months, further hiding the scar. Numbness along the incision should typically resolve over four to six months as the nerves grow back.
The final results from the procedure will be fully visible after 12 to 18 months.
Risks of Forehead Reduction Surgery
As with other types of plastic surgery, forehead reduction surgery has similar risks, such as a chance of infection and bleeding at the incision site. Some hair loss along the hairline can also be experienced by some patients.
A scar will be present at the incision site. However, this surgery uses techniques to produce as little of a scar as possible.
The risks of general anesthesia include drug reactions, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, and respiratory problems. These will be discussed in full with you by the anesthesiology team.
While every type of plastic surgery has its risks, one of the best ways to reduce those risks is to work with a board-certified, experienced surgeon. Dr. Epstein’s extensive experience performing forehead reduction surgeries can help you decide if this procedure is right for you.
Benefits of Forehead Reduction Surgery
If you have an overly large forehead that distracts from your other facial features and you feel it lacks proportional balance with your face, a forehead reduction surgery can help address this issue. Some of the benefits associated with a forehead reduction surgery include:
- Reduce forehead size to better harmonize with other facial features.
- Restore a more youthful appearing hairline.
- Produce a natural, aesthetically pleasing appearance of the face.
- Develop a more symmetric, balanced appearance to the facial features.
- Provide a boost to one’s self-confidence and self-esteem.
- Minimal recovery time is needed before returning to normal activities.
Overall, forehead reduction surgery is an effective cosmetic procedure that provides patients with an opportunity to achieve their desired facial appearance and restore any lost confidence with a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. In addition, this procedure can help bring out the natural beauty of your facial features.
Schedule a Forehead Reduction Surgery With Dr. Jeffery Epstein
A forehead reduction surgery can help address a disproportionately large forehead and give your face a more balanced and proportional appearance. If you were born with an overly large forehead or have developed one due to hair loss, a forehead reduction can provide dramatic results and transform your face. With Dr. Jeffery Epstein, you will obtain world-class experience with an expert, board-certified plastic surgeon.
Take a step towards a better-looking you, and call today to schedule your initial consultation.
