Why does my forehead stick out like this? What can I do to flatten it? (photos)

Question

All my life I’ve been so self conscious about my forehead. I have a big forehead which isn’t the problem, it’s the way my skull looks. On each side of my head it sticks out and is very noticeable on a lot of pictures making the photos look unflattering. I just want a flat forehead! What can I do to achieve this?

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

Hi Simonea,The shape of your skull is causing you distress.  You'd need a CT scan (xray) done and sent to me.  Then we can determine what to do. The two best options will be to (1) adjust the bone if it is thick enough or (2) fill in the hollow spots on the side to make everything smooth if the bone is not thick enough.Either way, I suspect we'd get you a great result.We probably do skull shaping surgeries like this over 100 times per year.

Bryan Rolfes, MD · Answer

Simone, If I understand your question correctly you don't mind the height of your forehead but don't like the fullness to the side and just above your eyebrows.  This is caused by two things.  First, your hairline does start further back than average in that area.  Not out of the normal range, but further back than average.  The hairline serves to frame the face and create facial boundaries, so a high/wide hairline makes your face look larger.  You also have fullness in that area from a well developed temporalis muscle.  When the muscle is very well developed it can look a little masculine, but on the other hand it is a sign of youth.  As we age we will all develop some hollowing in that area, and when that area is hollow it makes a face look very old or sickly.  If it really bothers you a few hair grafts will help to hide it.  I would recommend a very experienced surgeon for hair grafts in this area - the hair angles can be challenging and are very important.  On the other hand you can rest assured that over time you will loose some of your temporal fullness, and 20-30 years down the road your cheek and temple volume will make you look much younger than and be the envy of your peers.  -Dr. Rolfes

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

You do appear to have a prominent forehead but this is obvious because of your high hairline, Pull your hair down to the ideal location and this will be camouflaged or not seen. It is very unlikely that your bone needs to be reduced but this would best be determined with a lateral view or physical examination. I suggest you consider the Irregular Trichophytjc Hairline Incision technique that we described many years ago to reduce the forehead.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

You have a high hairline. Many women with this will lower the hairline. There are two approaches to this, hairline lowering surgery and hair transplants.

Why does my forehead stick out like this? What can I do to flatten it? (photos)

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