Do doctors only do an inch when lowering hairline/forehead?

Typically, in a forehead reduction surgical procedure, an incision is made along the hairline and used to advance the hair bearing scalp and shorten the forehead typically in the range of 2.0-2.5 cm and sometimes more. Most patients are satisfied with this amount (approximately 1 inch) of hairline advancement.
In some cases, a similar incision is made during the first stage of the forehead reduction surgery, and a tissue expander is placed beneath the hair-bearing portions of the scalp. Over the course of 6-8 weeks, the tissue expander is slowly filled and stretches the scalp. In the second stage of the procedure, the tissue expander is removed and the hairline is advanced and lowered to a greater degree than in a one-stage hairline lowering surgical procedure. Other patients may be candidates for a second forehead reduction surgery after the scalp has had time to stretch further. This depends on the patient’s hairline, their goals, and their anatomy.I would highly recommend speaking with a forehead reduction expert to discuss your anatomy, goals, and expectations.All the best,

You can lower your hairline with surgery but to understand how it may actually look or to understand realistic expectations, you need to see a doctor in person and have this conversation.
Forehead reduction surgery or hair grafting transplant can both lower your hairline.  It would be in your interest to have a consultation with a doctor and understand your risks and benefits of each surgery.  It would not be fair to suggest one or the other option without an examination or understanding your specific goals. There are issues of scarring, shock hair loss, hairline shape, and many other factors that must be understood.
First, you need to meet with a doctor so you can explain your goals and expectations.  Afterwards, you'll have a better idea as to how much your procedure may cost.

Hairline Lowering with the Irregular Trichophytic Forehead Incision. In the past 40 years since we developed this technique I have used it with and without Tissue Expansion to lower the hairline more than 1 inch. It depends on how tight the scalp is. My patients almost always choose this method over transplants since it is 1. Faster— one session and done—return to work in 6 days. 2. Cheaper3. No change in hair texture4. This gives the greatest density of hair. See a very experienced surgeon who can show you natural results without a scar using this technique.