How Does Forehead Reduction Surgery Work?

Model Chrissy Teigen generated attention in May when she posted on social media that she underwent forehead reduction surgery. The revelation generated curiosity, with people asking, “What is forehead reduction surgery?” The short answer is that it’s a popular procedure with both women and men who want to change the proportions of their facial features.

How To Make Your Forehead Smaller

Forehead reduction surgery, also called hairline lowering or scalp advancement, shortens the distance between your hairline and eyebrows by moving the scalp down and forward, positioning your hairline lower on your forehead. Once I reposition the scalp and remove the excess forehead skin, the hairline remains permanently in its new, lower position.

During the procedure, I make an incision along the natural hairline. The scar is concealed once your hair grows back. I then advance the scalp forward and remove excess skin to shorten the forehead’s height. This technique maintains the natural flow of the hairline, resulting in a balanced and aesthetically pleasing appearance. I perform the procedure, which usually takes about 2 hours, with the patient under general anesthesia.

Forehead Reduction Surgery Before and After Photos

Can You Benefit From Forehead Reduction?

If you have a high hairline unrelated to hair loss, forehead reduction surgery is an excellent option. The best candidates have good scalp elasticity to enable advancement of the hairline. And it’s important to have realistic expectations about the results. People who want to eliminate a widow’s peak (where the hairline naturally forms a V shape near the center of the forehead) may be candidates for hairline advancement. I can reshape or remove the V-shaped portion of the hairline to make it curved and more even.

What If You Have a Receding Hairline?

Long story short: Getting this procedure won’t stop, prevent, or help hide hair loss in the long run. If you’re experiencing early-stage hair loss, I may recommend hair transplant surgery along with, or instead of, hairline advancement. My recommendation depends on your age, degree of hair loss, and other factors. Men tend to be better candidates for hair transplant surgery.

Should You Combine a Brow Lift With Forehead Reduction?

For some patients, lowering the hairline isn’t the only goal—they also want to lift sagging brows or smooth deep forehead lines. In these cases, combining a brow lift with forehead reduction can be an effective solution. This approach helps refine the upper face while maintaining natural-looking results.

I use a limited-scar brow lift technique that avoids the overly elevated or “surprised” look some people worry about. The result is a smoother, more refreshed appearance that still looks like you—just more awake and youthful.

Choose a Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

At Foothills Facial Plastic Surgery in Tucson, AZ, Dr. Jerold Olson offers personalized consultations to assess individual needs and goals. During the consultation, he evaluates hairline position, scalp elasticity, and overall facial structure to determine the most appropriate surgical plan. You can request a consultation to meet personally with Dr. Olson or call us at (520) 200-2218 to schedule an appointment.