My face is so masculine, and I have such a big forehead. What can I do to have softer feminine features? (Photo)

Question

Im feeling so insecure, and never feel pretty. I have such a big forehead and also have suffered bad hair loss. I plan on getting my lips filled, but wondered what else I can work towards getting done to help. My nose is very broad, and also pointy. :(

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

Click on the "Learn more" link, just below my response, or go here:
FacialSurgery.com/RealSelf/RealSelf_samanthajayne30.html
I made a computer morph of your nose, and an animation of the morph, to show the changes that are possible for your nose in truly expert hands.
I lowered the bump on the bridge, and I brought the entire nose back closer to your face, and I elevated the tip a bit. All three are changes that we associate with feminine features. In fact, since there's not a way to change your forehead, and filler for the lips is temporary and doesn't work very well at all, maybe it'd be better to make your nose even more distinctly feminine than what I drew: elevate the tip a little more, and lower the bridge just a little more -- not to make it artificially scooped out, but just more "feminine."Your chin, like your forehead, is tall in its vertical extent: on your frontal view, measuring from where your lips meet down to the bottom of your chin is a tall distance. For that reason, I would advise against a chin implant. Maybe your profile shows a chin that could theoretically be augmented, but when the chin is tall vertically, augmenting the chin just makes it look bigger, in a masculinizing way, not a femininizing way.
You should understand that the changes I demonstrated in the morph require advanced techniques, techniques that most plastic surgeons cannot handle.  Be sure to read the section in the "Learn more" link on how to stay out of trouble while searching for a rhinoplasty surgeon. You should only have surgery if you are able to make yourself very confident in your surgeon's skills. Read that page very carefully. Most plastic surgeons are quite poor at this operation, and I believe my advice will go a long way toward keeping you safe.
I'd love to hear what you think of the morph. Did it seem to address your main concerns?
Your nose is also a good example of why computer imaging is mandatory in rhinoplasty. You need to know exactly what the surgeon is planning to accomplish -- what features he thinks he can change, and by how much he thinks he can change them. When you see his goals, you'll know whether he has an eye for a beautiful nose, and whether he shares your opinion of what constitutes a beautiful nose. You'll also know whether the changes he proposes are enough to be meaningful to you, and whether he understands your wishes enough to address all of your priorities. But remember, you're not hiring him for his skills with the computer. The doctor must then show you his before and after photos to prove that he can actually accomplish what he draws on the computer.
In your case in particular, you need to find a surgeon who understands all of the issues I mentioned, and how they fit together, and who can actually accomplish them in surgery.

Alexander M. Sailon, MD · Answer

First of all, I'm sorry you feel that way about your looks. Having a healthy self-esteem is certainly important and surgery is not always the solution. With regard to your features, I do think your face could be rebalanced to give you a more feminine look based on the photographs you provided. The options you could consider are 1) bringing your hairline forward to shorten its vertical length and reduce the convex appearance, 2) a rhinoplasty to feminize the nose and give more delicate features, and 3) a chin augmentation to bring your chin forward.
I hope that helps - best of luck!

Cain R. Linville, MD, FACS · Answer

I get this question fairly regularly.  I agree with the lip fillers.  I also think some additional filler like Sculptra would help soften the facial features.  To lower the hairline, since you're so young, I'd recommend doing follicular unit hair grafting.  Lastly, I agree you could benefit from a rhinoplasty to help narrow the width of the nose.  I'm sorry to hear about your struggles.

Jeffrey Jumaily, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. I am sorry to hear that you do not feel confident, you have a very attractive face with very feminine features which are beautiful. If you feel that the forehead is long, forehead reduction with scalp advancement is a straight forward procedure that will shorten the forehead but also raise the lateral brow a bit which is a feminize feature (not a surprise brow look at all). The nose can be refined to have a balanced and soft appearance. An upper lip lift can be a good option if you are a candidate and can be better than fillers.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A Closed rhinoplasty procedure can accomplish narrowing, feminizing, and refining and straightening the nose with all of the incisions placed on the inside of it.  The bridge line  can be narrowed and straightened well. For more information many examples, please see the link and the video below

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

You have several facial disproportions which could potentially benefit by some changes. Your forehead slopes back and is long. Upper forehead augmentation with a hairline advancement is a potential treatment option. Your chin is also horizontally short, which combined with your forehead, gives your face an overall very convex profile. Bringing your chin out may also be an aesthetic improvement. In essence improving the upper and lower third of your face and putting them into better balance with your middle third could be an overall aesthetic improvement.

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

Many years ago we described the Irregular Trichopytic Hairline Incision technique to reduce the forehead in patients like yourself. Hair will grow through and in front of the incision; look carefully at the hairline results when selecting an experienced surgeon for this procedure. I suggest you also consider a rhinoplasty and chin implant to soften your facial features and give you a natural feminine appearance.

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