2. Forehead Reduction Surgery

Hello.

I am Dr. Young-moon Yoo, a specialist in plastic surgery.

In the previous session, we covered the topic of ‘Forehead Lift’. While those with narrow foreheads and many wrinkles are good candidates for a forehead lift,

this time we will look into ‘Forehead Reduction Surgery’, which is of interest to those with a wide forehead.

As interest in forehead plastic surgery has grown recently,

there is a lot of information circulating on the internet. I have prepared this to provide accurate information on this occasion.

* Why is forehead reduction surgery necessary?

If the forehead is too wide, it makes the face look larger and gives an aged impression. By reducing the size of the forehead, one can achieve satisfying results.

Another way to reduce the size of the forehead is hair transplantation. Since each has clear pros and cons, it would be good to compare and cover them if there is an opportunity next time.

* Who would be highly satisfied with the surgery?

1. Cases where the forehead is wide and covered with bangs

2. Cases where one wants a beautiful hairline

3. Cases where one is afraid of hair transplantation or did not see effects even after surgery

4. Cases where M-shaped hairline correction is desired (limited to cases where the scalp stretches well)

5. It is also possible to perform the surgery simultaneously with an endoscopic forehead lift to prevent the forehead from widening due to the lift

Among these, the M-shaped hairline in item 4 (especially for men) often results in lower satisfaction because the scalp is firm and has a small range of movement. Therefore, I believe hair transplantation is a better method in this case.

* Surgical Process

Reference Papers: (Left) Multiple forehead shortening: Sparing the frontalis muscle and supraorbital nerve, Yong Su Ahn, M.D., et al. (PRS 143: 405, 2019) (Right) Reduction foreheadplasty: For Reducing the vertical height of forehead and facial proportion, Kook Hyun Kim, et. al. (Arch Aesthetic Plast Surg 2017;23(1):30-35)

These are the papers that serve as references for my surgical method.

1. Design in a zigzag pattern 2mm inside the hairline

2. Determine the excision range through a gliding test (generally around 2cm)

3. Excise the skin at an angle of 30-45 degrees to avoid damaging hair follicles (be careful not to damage the branches of the supraorbital nerve at this time)

4. Dissect under the scalp

5. Fix the scalp flap in the space between both frontalis muscles (using thread or Endotine)

6. Suture layer by layer

Method of fixation using Endotine Reference) Reduction foreheadplasty: For Reducing the vertical height of forehead and facial proportion, Kook Hyun Kim, et. al. (Arch Aesthetic Plast Surg 2017;23(1):30-35)

* Possible Post-operative Complications and Treatment Methods

1. Alopecia (Hair Loss)

Hair loss can occur from excessive tension. Therefore, excision must be done without overdoing it to avoid side effects such as hair loss.

2. Sensory Abnormality

Not damaging the branches of the supraorbital nerve is a very important part of the surgery. Since they are sufficiently visible to the naked eye, there will be no problem if meticulous dissection is performed at the expected locations.

3. Scarring

If an excessively wide area is excised or the process of fixing the scalp to the base is omitted, excessive tension may cause wide scarring. If sutured layer by layer starting from the deepest layer, you do not need to worry much about scarring.

For those who have been interested in forehead plastic surgery,

I hope this helped resolve your curiosity.

I will return with a more informative topic next time. ^^

Thank you.