I woke up with a noticeable dent in my forehead. It’s continuing to get worse. What is it? How can I treat it? (photos)

Question

When I was about 7 months pregnant, I woke up one morning to find a dent in my forehead. It’s getting worse. I even had someone say, “What happened to your head?” It’s stressing me out and I can’t seem to find an answer. Other symptoms I’ve dealt with are tingling and headache with applied pressure at the point of the indentation. I also suffered from headaches for over a month, but this was months after it first appeared. It looks worse when I crinkle my forehead.

Dima Ali, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and the pictures.  Strange things can happen to our bodies during pregnancy!  If there hasn't been any trauma to the area and it literally happened overnight and seems to be getting progressively worse, I would see your OB and or primary care doctor for a work up to rule out any potential underlying causes.  Once you are cleared, there are many ways to improve the appearance of the area including both fillers and botox.  I hope this helps.  Dr. Dima

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your pictures and questions. Without a physical exam, it is going to be very hard to give you a specific diagnosis. If you are still pregnant, I would say at this time to do nothing and just monitor the area. If after the pregnancy, you are still having issues with the area, then consider seeing a plastic surgeon or dermatologist for an in-depth exam and to discuss possible treatment options.Good luck!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACSOwner & Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonVIVIFY plastic surgery

Jacquelline Leva, DO · Answer

This can be pretty frustrating with pregnancy.I'm sure. If there hasn't been any trauma there, I would definitely consider doing a scan to make sure you don't have any vascular disease other than that. I would actually wait until the pregnancy is over and you're no longer breastfeeding.I really don't like Botox or dermal fillers on pregnant patience. I know some practitioners do take that risk, but we haven't done good studies on food, pregnant women to see if there are any side effects that could potentially affect the fetus. Also, it might just go away after you deliver. Speak to your obgyn and see what they have to say. If it's still they're after pregnancy and breastfeeding, there are couple of options such as dermal fillers, even fat grafting to the area.

Alix J. Charles, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question, and for the photos that you uploaded. As a dermatologist, I am suspicious that you have a condition called morphea. Specifically there is a variant called “En coup de sabre” that can affect the forehead in exactly the same fashion as what I see in your photo. I recommend that you get an evaluation from a local board-certified dermatologist. You can let them know of my suspicion. Best of luck to you!

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

If you examined photographs prior to the day when you noticed the indent and there was no indent, I would go to a primary care physician and undergo a workup including a CT scan or an MRI. Once the workup is done, then you can proceed with appropriate treatments be it fillers or fat. I hope this helps and good luck from New York City plastic surgery

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Appears as sun cutaneous/fat tissue loss or self dissolving since you have not mentioned any trauma to the forehead. Treating has a few options but I might want a sub cutaneous scan and a complete blood workup for collagen vascular diseases. Easy options are using HA fillers or Sculptra mixed with hyper diluted Radiesse. Next option would be micro fat grafting. You can seek in person consultations with boarded surgeons after the COVID-19 is on down swing. Also call your primary for RX for blood testing. Be Safe

I woke up with a noticeable dent in my forehead. It’s continuing to get worse. What is it? How can I treat it? (photos)

Answers (6)