Forehead reduction surgery, or hairline lowering, is a cosmetic procedure to help reduce the height of your forehead and correct the appearance or recession of your hairline. Forehead extension surgery is essentially the opposite of this procedure.
Read on to learn more about the forehead reduction procedure, including the cost and if insurance can pay for your surgery.
What Does Forehead Reduction Surgery Entail?
Forehead reduction surgery is a straightforward procedure conducted by a plastic surgeon under general anesthesia and combined with a local anesthetic to minimize pain and bleeding.
- Your surgeon will begin by meticulously outlining the hairline and forehead area to be removed with a surgical skin marker to ensure the cut along the hairline will not harm the hair follicles and nerves.
- Using a local anesthetic they will numb your entire forehead from the hairline to the area above the eyebrows.
- The surgeon will then cut (a petechial incision) along the marked forehead and hairline area.
- Next, they will separate the skin from the connective tissue before removing the marked area. The upper incision along the hairline is pulled down to join the forehead incision, closing the gap and thus shortening your forehead.
- Finally, your plastic surgeon will suture the skin together to minimize scar formation and ensure the hairline hides the area after regrowth.
While this cosmetic procedure reduces the forehead height and can alter the eyebrows’ appearance and other facial features, it may not raise your eyebrows.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Forehead Reduction Surgery?
You can be a good candidate for this surgical procedure if you are dissatisfied with your forehead’s size and overall appearance. You should have a high forehead, thick hair, and flexible skin. Forehead reduction surgery is ideal for women with a high hairline but is inappropriate for most men.
You should not contemplate a forehead reduction if you have active, progressive hair loss or a personal or family history of the condition. The procedure will alter your hairline and can lead to further hair loss. Your surgeon will perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine if forehead reduction or forehead extension surgery is the most appropriate treatment for you.
If you are a male with thin hair or age-related male pattern baldness, they may recommend an alternative treatment, such as hair transplant surgery. Alternative procedures may be suitable if you have a history of hair loss, as future hair loss might reveal any incision from reduction surgery.
This surgical procedure may not be suitable if you have a history of abnormal scarring or wound healing problems.
What is the Forehead Reduction Surgery Recovery Period?
The recovery period for the forehead reduction procedure varies depending on the actual surgery and the patient. You may even have the surgical dressing removed as soon as a day after the surgery. Individuals often return to their daily activities a week after the cosmetic surgery. Within that period, you can expect much of the bruising and swelling resulting from the procedure to have subsided.
Your surgeon may advise you to avoid strenuous activities for at least the first week after the cosmetic procedure. Many patients opt to wear a headband or hat or push their hair forward to conceal the sutures when they return to their routine activities. You may need to cover the incision for up to three months while it fades.
Your doctor will prescribe pain medication to help minimize discomfort during the first few days after surgery. Possibly using several pillows as support, you will need to keep your head elevated to minimize bruising and swelling.
Additional Read: Everything You Need to Know About Forehead Reduction and Hairline Lowering Surgery
What Does Forehead Reduction Surgery Aftercare Involve?
Aftercare for the forehead reduction procedure involves keeping the incision clean and infection-free. Your doctor will probably remove the surgical stitches about a week later. The bruising and swelling around the eyes should have diminished significantly by then, so you can expect to be reasonably presentable. In a couple of months, expect hair to grow through the incision.
The incision area may feel numb for up to six months after the cosmetic procedure, improving as the nerves regenerate after surgery. You should expect the incision to heal and start fading entirely in six months.
What is The Cost of Forehead Reduction Surgery?
Forehead reduction costs vary depending on several factors, including:
- The surgeon’s skill
- The surgical technique used
- Length and involvement of the plastic surgery
- The location of the clinic
Plastic surgeons often require that you schedule a consultation before they evaluate your situation and give you an estimate of the fees involved.
Will Insurance Cover My Forehead Reduction Surgery?
Forehead reduction surgery is a cosmetic procedure. Therefore, most medical insurance will not cover the cost of the surgery. However, insurance companies have different policies, so you may find a company that will pay for your intended procedure. It is always essential to understand the details of your insurance policy to avoid problems later.
Which Cosmetic Surgeries do Medical Insurance Usually Cover?
The first thing that most people consider is the cost of the process and whether their health insurance policy will cover this cosmetic surgery. Medical insurance does not cover most cosmetic treatments, but there are some exceptions to this rule, as they usually cover plastic surgery procedures considered “medically necessary.”
Therefore, whether a procedure qualifies for insurance coverage will depend on the reason for the surgery. Below are some of the most common cosmetic surgical procedures that benefit from insurance coverage:
- Rhinoplasty for individuals suffering from sleeping or breathing problems.
- Breast implant removal if the patient has breast implant-related illness.
- Blepharoplasty if you have vision-impairment issues.
- Skin removal surgery if you suffer from chronic rash, infection, excess skin, or other medical problems.
- Breast augmentation or reconstruction if you’ve had a mastectomy due to breast cancer.
Consult with a board-certified medical surgeon to determine if your preferred cosmetic surgical procedure qualifies for insurance coverage based on your health insurance plan.
Find the Best Forehead Reduction Surgeon in Chicago
If you would like to reduce the size of your forehead or lower your hairline, consider forehead reduction surgery. This cosmetic surgery is generally safe—the few risks include bleeding, numbness, bruising, and infection. Choosing a highly skilled and experienced surgeon will reduce the risks and ensure you achieve the best results.
If you are in the Chicago area, consider Dr. Sidle for your forehead reduction surgery. He is one of the best forehead reduction and forehead extension surgery specialists in the region, thanks to his years of experience and technical proficiency. While insurance may not cover your procedure, he offers some of the most competitive prices for cosmetic surgeries.
Contact Dr. Sidle at 312.695.8182 today or schedule a consultation to discuss your forehead reduction surgery.
