A big forehead hair transplant can be just as helpful as one performed to fix a bald spot. It is a common hair loss treatment myth that hair restoration surgery can only help people who experience baldness. This simple and effective procedure can, in fact, also help you shape your appearance and lower your hairline.
Hairline transplant surgery is less invasive than forehead reduction surgery. And if you opt for an FUE-type procedure, it leaves virtually no scarring. Keep reading this article to find out all you need to know about:
Also known as a frontal hairline lowering hair transplantation, a forehead hair transplant makes hair grow lower on your forehead, narrowing it. While there is no generally established optimum forehead width, a rule of thumb says that in a woman, there should be approximately 7 cm from your eyebrows to your hairline. This helps divide your face into 3 equal parts [1].
A hair transplant to lower your hairline is simple and painless, and you don’t need to spend any time in the hospital after your surgery. It involves harvesting healthy hair follicles from the back or sides of your head and implanting them into small slits especially created below your hairline.
Yes, forehead hair transplants are, overall, as effective as any other kind of surgical hair restoration. Research shows that over 86% of FUE hair restoration patients reported excellent results one year on [2].
Just like a traditional surgical forehead reduction, a forehead hair transplant is permanent, meaning you can enjoy its results forever. And if you prefer to be discreet about your plastic surgery, you will be happy to know you can get a hair transplant without anyone knowing.
Getting a hair transplant on your forehead can help you reduce its height by 1-2 cm. It can also help fix a messed-up hairline or a receding hairline caused by male pattern baldness. Furthermore, it can change its shape to give your face a rounder, softer appearance.
While the scientific literature on forehead hair transplants is limited, a study was conducted in 2019 on 89 Asian women who underwent this procedure to reduce a high forehead [1]. They received, on average, 1320 hair grafts (ranging between 858 and 2220) and had their hairlines lowered by an average of 1.62 cm. None of them reported any postoperative complications, but 12.5% of them requested a subsequent touch-up of 312 grafts, on average, to improve hairline density.
Ten months after the procedure, patients were asked to report their satisfaction level on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being the most satisfied). The average self-reported score was 4.2, while the surgeon’s objective satisfaction score was 4.3.
Both of these procedures can help you achieve your desired forehead height. However, discussing this choice with a plastic surgeon is best, as they can help you determine the most suitable for your needs and preferences. Before you get a chance to do that, here are some of their pros and cons to consider:
FOREHEAD HAIR TRANSPLANT
ADVANTAGES:
DISADVANTAGES:
The number of grafts you may need depends on several factors, such as your gender, forehead size and your natural hair thickness and density. On average, people who undergo this procedure normally require a 500-2000 grafts hair transplant.
However, only a surgeon can determine your specific graft needs upon examining you and learning more about your desired outcome.
The cost of a hair transplant on the forehead varies depending on the number of grafts needed and the clinic where the procedure is performed. On average, in the UK, you can expect to pay approximately £4,820 for this surgery, which is the equivalent of a 1500-graft hair transplant.
It may be possible to find offers of lower-than-average pricing. However, always be vigilant and make sure the providers are authorised, experienced and fully compliant with all health and sanitation codes. Keep in mind that you will still be enjoying your forehead hair transplant after 10 years and more, so treat it like an investment in your appearance and conduct your due diligence.
Normally, anyone who is a good candidate for a hair transplant can get forehead hair restoration surgery. However, the following categories of people can benefit most from this procedure:
There are several things you can do to make sure that you are giving your hair grafts the best chance to survive and thrive on your forehead. Here are some of the most effective:
Once your procedure is completed, your surgeon will provide you with detailed forehead hair transplant aftercare instructions. They range from avoiding touching or scratching your graft area for about 7 days after your hair transplant to recommendations of special shampoos and moisturisers to use on your healing scalp. Following this advice significantly reduces the risk of complications.
You may be aware that smoking can cause hair loss. But when it comes to surgeries it is particularly important to forego cigarettes. Smoking can impact your forehead transplant results and endanger your graft survival [3]. So it is necessary to abstain from nicotine use for at least 2-3 weeks pre and post-operation.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) hair treatment involves drawing blood from your arm, extracting the fraction enriched with platelets and injecting it into your scalp. Usually, PRP has a good success rate in stimulating hair growth [4][5], as it contains growth factors that support the healthy functioning of your hair follicles and the production of blood vessels to nourish them.
However, research recently found that using PRP after a hair transplant on the forehead (or even during the procedure [6]) may increase graft survival rates and considerably speed up new hair growth [7][8].
How long after hair restoration surgery you can resume different activities is among the most frequently asked hair transplant questions. They often relate to how soon it is safe to:
While some of these recommendations or suggestions may seem excessive or inconvenient, it is best to follow them to ensure a good outcome for your grafts. If you are unsure if you should wait longer before resuming more strenuous activities, don’t hesitate to ask your surgeon for advice.
Generally speaking, hair transplants are safe, painless procedures. The risks of a forehead hair transplant are the same as any hair restoration surgery (and the serious complication rate is almost non-existent if you have your procedure at a reputable hair transplant clinic). Here are some of the most common:
Most of these mild adverse reactions will resolve in a few days with home care. However, if they persist or worsen over time, be sure to contact your surgeon. They will provide the most appropriate advice and treatment.
If you are not eligible for a hair transplant on the forehead or you would rather not undergo surgery, there are still some things you can do to correct a wide forehead:
If you feel that a hair transplant may be the best way to permanently solve your wide forehead problems, book a consultation today with one of our world-class surgeons. Once they determine that you can truly benefit from surgical hair restoration, your forehead will be in the most capable hands.
We at the award-winning Wimpole Clinic take pride in our 50-year legacy of hair transplant excellence. Our surgeons are always happy to walk you through the procedure, answer all your questions, and show you our extensive portfolio of before and after hair transplant photos.
Find out more about hair transplants on the forehead by reading the answers to these frequently asked questions:
If you are experiencing frontal fibrosing alopecia or a similar form of scarring alopecia, getting a hair transplant on the forehead can be more complicated. Only a surgeon can tell you if you are a good candidate for surgery upon examination.
Similarly, if you have been in an accident that left you with damaged follicles on your forehead, a hair transplant on scar tissue may still be possible, but only under specific circumstances.
Your forehead width, shape, and hairline pattern are some of the most important facial gender identifiers. That is why many male-to-female transgender people get a hair transplant on their forehead that will make it look more feminine.
Furthermore, research conducted on 492 transgender patients shows that it is possible to get this procedure at the same time as a forehead reconstruction surgery for improved results and a reduced number of interventions [9].
The majority of people getting hair restoration surgery (68.2%) will never need a second hair transplant [10]. And a procedure which only involves the forehead area is normally low-volume, so it should be comfortably done in a single session.
However, some people may still need a follow-up intervention if their graft survival rate is low or they are unhappy with their results. One touch-up is normally enough, as only 3.3% of patients require multiple hair transplants [10].
While any adult can theoretically get a hair transplant on the forehead, it is normally best to wait at least until your mid-twenties. That is usually when your hairline matures. Most men who opt for surgical hair restoration get it in their 30s, while most women have theirs in their 40s.
However, only a surgeon who has examined you can tell you for sure what the best age to get a hair transplant on the forehead is in your particular situation.
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