Where the incision is made
Along the hairline. The scar is left in this area and is among the risks of the procedure.
Dr. Gustavo Suárez · Facial surgery
Frontoplastyor forehead reduction.
Forehead reduction shortens the distance between the hairline and the eyebrows. It is considered when the forehead is perceived as high or disproportionate to the rest of the face.
Request a consultation What is forehead reduction?The problem it addresses
Forehead height
and the hairline.
Forehead reduction advances the scalp skin over the forehead, lowering the hairline and shortening the forehead. The usual reason for a consultation is a forehead perceived as high in relation to the rest of the face, or a naturally high hairline.
In Spain, the term frontoplasty usually refers to forehead reduction. The term is also used for lifting the forehead and eyebrows, and for reshaping the forehead bone. These are different procedures.
One name, three procedures
What is meant by
frontoplasty.
The term has no single definition. It is used in three different senses, each referring to a different procedure. This page covers the first.
| Forehead reduction | Forehead lift | Bone reshaping | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it aims to do | Shorten the distance between the hairline and the eyebrows. | Lift the forehead and eyebrows. | To soften the forehead profile. |
| When it is considered | A forehead perceived as high or out of proportion to the rest of the face, or a naturally high or receding hairline. | Horizontal forehead lines and frown lines. | It is mainly described as part of facial feminisation surgery. |
| How it is performed | An incision is made along the hairline and the scalp skin is advanced over the forehead. | One approach follows the hairline and also allows the height of a high forehead to be reduced. | The bone just above the brow ridge is reduced and reshaped. |
| Where it is explained | On this page. | On the page about brow lift. | It is not covered on this website. |
How it is performed
How it is
performed.
An incision is made along the hairline and the scalp skin is advanced over the forehead. Healthy follicles are preserved so that hair continues to grow in the area.
What is moved
The scalp skin, which advances over the forehead. The hairline moves down with it.
Combining it with a hair transplant
The procedure can be combined with a hair transplant. Whether this is appropriate is a medical judgement.
What is assessed
What is assessed
during the consultation.
The assessment includes examination of the face and eyelids, study of facial expressions, photographs, medical history and a review of regular medication. The proportion of the forehead to the rest of the face guides suitability for the procedure.
The assessment includes hair quality and density, as well as the position of the hairline. Forehead reduction does not treat alopecia and is not equivalent to a hair transplant, although both procedures can be combined in some cases.
After surgery
Care and
follow-up.
Recovery
Swelling and bruising gradually subside. During the first few days, patients are advised to keep their head elevated, and the stitches are removed at the clinic. Activities are resumed gradually, and the scar continues to settle after the swelling has subsided.
Risks and limitations
Swelling may be part of recovery. The incision leaves a scar at the hairline, and numbness of the forehead and scalp may also occur. Possible complications include hair loss, bleeding, infection, prolonged swelling and asymmetry.
It is important to be precise about hair: it cannot be claimed that it will grow in the same way after the procedure. Hair loss is expressly listed among the risks, both here and in a forehead lift.
These complications are very rare. During the consultation, after the medical assessment, the risks are explained individually according to each patient's characteristics.
Before deciding
Frequently asked
questions.
Questions asked before deciding, about the scar, hair and risks.
What is done during forehead reduction?
When performed for reduction, an incision is made along the hairline and the scalp skin is advanced over the forehead, preserving healthy follicles. This lowers the hairline and shortens the forehead.
What are the risks of forehead reduction?
Swelling may be part of recovery. The incision leaves a scar along the hairline, and numbness of the forehead and scalp may also occur. Possible complications include hair loss, bleeding, infection, prolonged swelling and asymmetry. Hair loss is expressly listed among them, so it is not possible to promise that hair will grow in the same way afterwards. These complications are very rare. During the consultation, after the medical assessment, the risks are explained individually according to each patient's characteristics.
What changes can be seen before and after forehead reduction?
The change described by the procedure is a reduction in the distance between the hairline and the eyebrows. Photographs of other people cannot predict your own result: every forehead and hairline is different, and the examination determines what is possible.
How much does forehead reduction cost in Spain?
The quotation is prepared after the assessment, once the procedure and what it includes have been defined. The first step is to request a consultation.
Related procedures
Other procedures
in the same area.
Brow lift
Surgery that lifts a drooping eyebrow and reshapes its position and contour in the upper third of the face.
Upper blepharoplasty
Upper eyelid surgery that removes excess skin and, where appropriate, fat.