Can the bone itself, near the hairline also be shaved (with a burr)? (photos)

Question

Not referring to the shaving of brow ridge but to higher up. I appreciate that a different way of achieving a similar 'result' might be to 'build out' the mid forehead with bone cement (and then shape it accordingly) - but was wondering instead if the bone close to the hairline might be shaved and shaped direct. I find my forehead too flat (and not 'soft') in front profile. If the bone can be shaved direct what sort of depth can be shaved off in this area. There is a slight prominence running across my forehead between approx the 1 cm & 2.5 cm mark.

Fernando Colon, MD · Answer

The answer is yes, the bone can be reshape  buta detailed evaluation of your concerns and anatomicfindings is crucial. You also want to choose an experiencedboard certified plastic surgeon with this procedure. Theremay be other less invasive ways to help your concernsBest wishes.

Matthew Kienstra, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes the bone can be reduced. Skull thickness in that area varies considerably, so it is difficult to say how much it can be reduced. There are other ways of camouflaging things or achieving the result you desire. For example, moving the hairline may change your forehead look. I am not a fan of adding bone cement and shaping it. Results are less predictable in my hands and the cement itself can cause some late issues sometimes. Have to be careful with that. One way you could try various looks to see what you like best would be to add filler around the area to see how you like it in different spots. Using hyaluronic acid would also give you the option of dissolving it away if it was not to your liking. On a different note, that area of your forehead is not as much of a cosmetic focus as other areas of one's face. I understand that it bothers you but people in day to day interactions probably don't notice it much as it is out of the areas that most people look first (eyes, mouth, cheeks, nose, ears) when interacting with people. My point is that altering that area may not make much of a cosmetic difference if one analyzes before and after photos. I am not saying don't do anything but I would recommend starting with something simpler like filler before having surgery, which is many times harder to touch up or refine after.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Thickness of forehead (frontal bone) is in average about 4-5 mm in that particular area. One can think of shaving about 2 mm in that regard?. Only on the basis of in person evaluation and discussion about your goals one could give you a more detailed answer. Good luck.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

The prominence running across your forehead is known as the forehead horns and can be paired or connected as a subtle horizontal ridge. It can be successfully reduced through a hairline incision or one placed further back in the scalp. Generally its depth or reduction is in the 3 to 5mm range maximum.

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

As long as the bone is thick enough immediately below the hairline it can be shaved. One x-ray of the skull will answer your question and determine how much can be removed.

Can the bone itself, near the hairline also be shaved (with a burr)? (photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Upper Forehead Bony Reduction

Answer: Upper Forehead Bony Reduction

Answer: Can Bone Near the Hairline be Shaved

Answer: Can Bone Near the Hairline be Shaved

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Everything you need to know about Brow Lift

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Can the bone itself, near the hairline also be shaved (with a burr)? (photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Upper Forehead Bony Reduction

Answer: Upper Forehead Bony Reduction

Answer: Can Bone Near the Hairline be Shaved

Answer: Can Bone Near the Hairline be Shaved

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Brow Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.