Is Male Hairline Lowering Surgery A Permanent Procedure?

As humans age, their bodies change over time. A common occurrence with aging skin is the loss of flexibility and prolonged droopiness. It is especially true in the forehead, as the hairline fades and recedes to the back of the head.

Diminished hairlines are generally associated with older males but can happen to any gender at various times. Some consider forehead reduction surgery to negate the more senior appearance of a raised hairline. Candidates for hairline lowering surgery include people who have:

  • Pronounced hairlines
  • Balding
  • Insecurities about the proportions of their face
  • Low or asymmetrical eyebrows that need correcting
  • Wide foreheads
  • Fine lines and wrinkles around the forehead
  • Sagging skin around the edge of the face

What Is Male Hairline Lowering Surgery?

Male hairline lowering surgery is the surgical process of minimizing the appearance of a vertical widening forehead. During the procedure, the surgeon relocates the hairline to a lower part of the forehead and removes excess skin. The amount of skin removed will depend on patient preferences and desired results.

In some cases, like a forehead hair transplant, the surgeon will reattach the excess skin to make the finished look cohesive. Hair transplantation is a form of hairline surgery that aids with the loss of hair density and follicles.

The process of hairline surgery is relatively straightforward. After the patient receives anesthesia and goes under, the surgeon will sketch the new hairline onto the patient. Next, the plastic surgeon will make an incision along the directed line, reforming the patient’s new hairline.

A good plastic surgeon will care for the nerve endings and connective tissue while performing the hairline lowering surgery to avoid any damage. After making the incision, the surgeon will pull the skin down and attach it to the new hairline. Finally, the new hairline and skin connect through sutures and proper stitching.

Is Hairline Reduction Surgery Painful?

Hairline reduction surgery is typically not painful during and post-operation. The skin around the incision may be tender or swollen. The patient will receive anesthesia before hairline surgery and painkillers after waking from the procedure.

During the recovery period, the patient may feel dryness or tightness. These feelings of discomfort generally dissipate after ten days. To ensure a desirable result, patients should not overextend themselves during recovery and look for signs of infection.

Is Hairline Lowering Permanent?

Hairline lowering surgery is permanent and ensures long-lasting results. Patients who seek hairline surgery are typical of an older demographic and select the operation for its anti-aging benefits. Additionally, those who receive hairline surgery for other reasons like corrective means do not have to repeat the process.

Will I Look Different After a Forehead Reduction?

A person who receives forehead reduction surgery will look different post-operation. At first, the forehead will appear swollen and red due to inflammation post-surgery. However, after recovery, the swelling will calm, and the skin will form a new hairline.

Those who receive forehead reduction surgery enjoy a more youthful appearance. The forehead will be smaller and more relative to the rest of the face. Eyebrows will be closer to the hairline, and the skin may appear tighter.

Forehead reduction before and after pictures are normal to document in hairline surgery. The facial plastic surgeon often takes photos to showcase the difference between before and after the procedure. These photographs help to compare the length of the former and current hairlines.

What is the Recovery from Hairline Lowering?

Recovering from hairline lowering surgery is similar to recovering from any cosmetic procedure.  It’s best to take a full day off on the day of the procedure and at least three days following the surgery to rest and recover. Patients usually need someone to drive them to and from the surgical office and assist with everyday items during recovery.

After three to five days, everything should feel normal again. Patients may experience irritation around the incision site, which will disappear as the wound heals. Expect a full recovery between six to nine months after the procedure.

Must Read: Hair Lowering Post Surgery Instructions

What Results Can I Expect After Hairline Lowering?

Hair may fall out from immediate recovery to three months after the operation. This is because the hair follicle is adjusting to the new growth pattern of the surgical site. Six months after the surgery, the follicle should adapt, and hair will begin to grow normally.

Upon recovering from hairline lowering surgery and healing from the surgical incision, one can expect an enhancement to their overall appearance. The new hairline will fill with active hair follicles and eventually populate with dense hair growth. This hair growth covers any lingering visual scars, so the surgery should be invisible to the naked eye.

Who Can Perform Hairline Lowering Surgery?

Only board-certified facial plastic surgeons should perform hairline lowering surgery. A primary care doctor may refer a patient to a plastic surgeon should they express a desire for the cosmetic procedure. Forehead reduction patients should seek an experienced surgeon like the trusted doctors at Northwestern Facial Plastic Surgery.

Additional Read: 8 Facts About Hairline Lowering That Will Blow Your Mind

Forehead Reduction Surgery 

Forehead reduction surgery may seem like an excessive means to achieve a more youthful result, but it is well worth the result for those who struggle with their appearance. Likewise, for those who believe that surgery for forehead reduction will enhance their quality of life, it is well worth the time and surgical process.

Patients in the Chicago area looking for “hairline lowering surgery near me” should look no further than Dr. Sidle at Northwestern Facial Plastic Surgery. Dr. Sidle is a double board-certified surgeon who holds certification from the American Board of Facial Plastic Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. These certifications prove that he is skilled and trustworthy with the procedures he performs.

Dr. Sidle is also a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons. Call Northwestern Facial Plastic Surgeons at (312) 695-8182 today for the best forehead reduction surgery for males in the Chicago area.

About Douglas M. Sidle, MD, FACS

Dr. Sidle specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, head, and neck. His services range from minimally invasive office procedures with little to no down time to major operations leading to dramatic improvements in appearance. Dr. Sidle is one of a select group of cosmetic surgeons who are “double boarded”. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.