NANA BLOG

Forehead Reduction in Korea: Lowering a High Hairline at NANA

Plastic surgery in Korea at NANA — Gangnam Seoul premium clinic, English staff.
Contents

    Forehead Reduction in Korea: Lowering a High Hairline at NANA

    A broad forehead with a high hairline is brought into proportion with the rest of the face by shifting the hairline downward, with the hair follicles preserved so scarring stays minimal.

    Forehead reduction at NANA Plastic Surgery, Seoul.

    A forehead that reads as too wide or too tall changes the balance of the whole face, and it is not something a haircut can fix for long. Forehead reduction surgery in Korea, also known as hairline lowering surgery, addresses it directly. The hairline area is incised, then the scalp is pulled and secured to reduce the length of the forehead, adjusting a broad forehead so that it aligns with facial proportions while the hair follicles are preserved to keep scarring minimal.

    Key Takeaways

    • The surgery shifts the hairline downward to an ideal forehead height, so a face that looked elongated appears smaller.
    • Unlike hair transplantation, results are immediate.
    • A diagonal incision protects the supraorbital nerve and limits damage to hair follicles, and vellus hair on the forehead is retained for a natural hairline.
    • Endotine, an FDA and KFDA approved fixation material, secures the hairline, and triple stitching minimizes scarring.
    • Surgery takes about 1 hour under general anesthesia, with no hospital stay, sutures out after 9 to 10 days, and a return to daily life after 1 week.

    What Is Forehead Reduction Surgery (Hairline Lowering)?

    Forehead reduction surgery incises the hairline area, then pulls and secures the scalp to reduce the length of the forehead. It adjusts a broad forehead so that it aligns with facial proportions, and preserving the hair follicles leaves minimal scarring.

    The forehead reduction procedure at NANA addresses cases where the forehead is broad with a high hairline. By shifting the hairline downward, it brings the forehead to an ideal height. Unlike hair transplantation, the results are immediate, and a face that previously looked elongated appears smaller.

    How Is the Hairline Lowered and Corrected in Forehead Reduction?

    Two things are addressed together: the hairline is lowered to the appropriate position to reduce the forehead, and angular hairlines are corrected into a more even and rounded form.
    Hairline lowering and correction of an M-shaped hairline.
    • Hairline adjustment: lowering the hairline to the appropriate position to achieve forehead reduction.
    • Correction of angular lines: not only reducing the forehead but also correcting angular hairlines into a more even and rounded shape.

    Preserving Hair and Vellus Hair at the Temporal Line

    Because the incision is made at an angle, there is minimal damage to the hair follicles and surgical traces stay discreet. The fine vellus hair on the forehead is also strategically retained, which is what makes the new hairline read as natural rather than drawn on.

    What Is Endotine, and Why Is It Used?

    Endotine is an FDA and KFDA approved environmentally friendly tissue fixation material. It features five protrusions that evenly pull and securely fix skin tissues, and it naturally dissolves within a year without leaving residues.
    Endotine fixation used in forehead reduction surgery.

    Endotine provides stability in several facial areas, including the forehead, the eyebrows, and sagging eyelids. It is also used in NANA's endoscopic forehead and brow lift, which is a separate procedure. As it dissolves it leaves no residue behind, and it gives the skin a semi-permanent elasticity.

    • Sturdy Endotine: a robust Endotine with low skin tension holds the hairline securely, for a safe and stable outcome in forehead reduction surgery.
    • Triple stitching solution: triple stitching minimizes scarring, so recovery is swift and patients see the benefit of the procedure sooner.

    How Is the New Forehead Height Decided?

    The forehead is planned in proportion to the rest of the face. The surgery contributes to achieving a golden ratio of 1:1:0.8 for the upper, middle, and lower face.

    Rather than lowering the hairline by a fixed amount, the height is set so the upper third of the face sits in balance with the middle and lower thirds. This is why the same procedure produces a different design on every patient.

    How Is Forehead Reduction Surgery Performed at NANA in Seoul?

    The surgery runs in four stages: individual design at consultation, a diagonally angled incision that protects the supraorbital nerve and hair follicles, Endotine fixation in the forehead, and meticulous closure of the incision to conceal scarring.
    The four stages of forehead reduction surgery at NANA Plastic Surgery
    Stage What happens
    01 Design A thorough consultation is conducted before surgery. The exact positions for the incisions and the desired corrected line are meticulously designed based on individual considerations.
    02 Incision To safeguard the supraorbital nerve and minimize damage to hair follicles, the incision site is angled diagonally. This prioritizes the preservation of critical structures for a safer and more effective outcome.
    03 Fixation Endotine, a secure fixation material, is strategically placed in the forehead to anchor it, gently pulling the forehead toward it for stable and secure fixation.
    04 Closure To conceal any visible scars, the incision site is meticulously closed, leaving no trace of a noticeable scar. The careful stitching and closure process contributes to a clean finish.

    Wondering how much your hairline could come down? Send us your photos from the front, 45 degrees, and side, and our English-speaking team will review them with the doctors.

    Who Is a Candidate for Forehead Reduction Surgery?

    Forehead reduction is considered for a wide or long forehead, an M-shaped or asymmetrical hairline, a broad side hairline, or when a wide forehead makes the face look longer. It is also an option for people who find contour surgery burdensome or who are apprehensive about hair transplantation.
    Cases where forehead reduction surgery is considered.

    These are the cases the procedure is designed for, all of them united by one aim: a natural line that complements the shape of your face.

    • Your hairline forms an M-shape or is asymmetrical
    • Your forehead is excessively wide or large
    • The side of your hairline is broad
    • A wide forehead makes your face appear longer
    • You find contour surgery burdensome
    • You are apprehensive about hair transplantation, or did not achieve the results you wanted after it
     

    How Long Does Forehead Reduction Surgery Take, and Is a Hospital Stay Needed?

    Surgery takes approximately 1 hour under general anesthesia. No hospitalization is required and no drain is used. Sutures are removed after 9 to 10 days, and a return to daily life is possible after 1 week.
    Forehead reduction surgery information: time, anesthesia, hospitalization, suture removal, and recovery
    Item Details
    Surgical time Approximately 1 hour
    Anesthesia method General anesthesia
    Hospitalization None
    Drain None
    Suture removal After 9 to 10 days
    Return to daily life Possible after 1 week
    Outpatient treatment 1 week after surgery

    What Makes Forehead Reduction at NANA Plastic Surgery Different

    NANA strives to embody beauty through a comprehensive approach, using a variety of methods and technologies. The most suitable surgical method is selected after considering individual factors such as bone structure, connective tissue, and skin type.

    Hairline-Preserving Incision

    An incision that considers the direction of hair growth, to minimize damage to the hair follicles.

    Minimizing Sensory Impairment

    Preserving the supraorbital nerve minimizes sensory impairment of the scalp.

    Stable Fixation With Endotine

    Certified Endotine is used to ensure a natural and balanced fixation of the scalp.

    Simultaneous Correction

    Correcting not only a wide and long forehead but also an uneven or M-shaped hairline.

    What Is Recovery Like After Forehead Reduction Surgery in Korea?

    Forehead reduction typically causes minimal swelling, although there may be some swelling in the central forehead for 1 to 2 weeks. Daily activities can be resumed immediately after surgery, with a hairstyle that covers the forehead.
    Recovery timeline after forehead reduction surgery
    Timing What to expect
    Immediately after Daily activities can be resumed, adopting a hairstyle that covers the forehead.
    1 to 2 weeks Some swelling may remain in the central forehead area.
    Days 9 to 10 Sutures are removed.
    1 week Return to daily life, and one outpatient visit.
    First month Initial scarring is noticeable.
    3 to 6 months The scar tends to fade in color.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is forehead reduction surgery?
    Forehead reduction surgery involves incising the hairline area, then pulling and securing the scalp to reduce the length of the forehead. It adjusts a broad forehead so that it aligns with facial proportions, and preserving the hair follicles leaves minimal scarring.
    How is forehead reduction different from a hair transplant?
    Unlike hair transplantation, the results of forehead reduction are immediate. The hairline is shifted downward to an ideal forehead height, which gives the effect of a previously elongated face appearing smaller.
    What is Endotine?
    Endotine is an FDA and KFDA approved environmentally friendly tissue fixation material. It features five protrusions that evenly pull and securely fix skin tissues, and it is used in areas such as the forehead, eyebrows, and sagging eyelids. It naturally dissolves within a year without leaving residues, providing semi-permanent elasticity to the skin.
    Will forehead reduction leave a visible scar?
    The incision is angled diagonally, so there is minimal damage to the hair follicles and surgical traces are discreet. Triple stitching minimizes scarring, and the incision site is meticulously closed. Initial scarring is noticeable for the first month but tends to fade in color between 3 and 6 months.
    How much swelling can be expected after the surgery?
    Forehead reduction surgery typically causes minimal swelling, although there may be some swelling in the central forehead area for 1 to 2 weeks. Patients can resume daily activities immediately after surgery, adopting a hairstyle that covers the forehead.
    How long does the surgery take, and is a hospital stay needed?
    Surgery takes approximately 1 hour under general anesthesia. No hospitalization is required and no drain is used.
    When are the sutures removed and when can I return to daily life?
    Sutures are removed after 9 to 10 days, a return to daily life is possible after 1 week, and there is one outpatient visit 1 week after surgery.
    Can an M-shaped or asymmetrical hairline be corrected at the same time?
    Yes. The surgery not only reduces the forehead but also corrects angular hairlines into a more even and rounded form, so a wide or long forehead and an uneven or M-shaped hairline can be addressed together.
    Will the surgery affect the sensation in my scalp?
    The incision is angled diagonally to safeguard the supraorbital nerve, and preserving that nerve minimizes sensory impairment of the scalp.
    Who is forehead reduction surgery suitable for?
    It suits people whose hairline forms an M-shape or is asymmetrical, who have an excessively wide or large forehead, whose side hairline is broad, whose wide forehead makes the face appear longer, who find contour surgery burdensome, or who are apprehensive about hair transplantation or did not achieve the results they wanted from it.

    If a high hairline or a wide forehead is what throws your proportions off, a personal consultation is where the new hairline position and shape are decided. Our English-speaking team can review your photos with the doctors before you travel. You can read more on the forehead reduction page or browse other posts on the NANA blog. Individual results vary.

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    Medical Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. All surgical procedures carry risks, and suitability can only be determined through a personal consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon at NANA Plastic Surgery. Individual results vary.

    Considering forehead reduction in Korea?
    Let our specialists review your photos.