Forehead reduction and hairline lowering in Turkey

Forehead reduction, also called hairline lowering, moves the hairline down and shortens a tall forehead. A strip of forehead skin is removed, the scalp is advanced forward and the incision is placed along the new hairline.

The result is immediate, which is what separates it from a hair transplant. The trade-off is a scar along the hairline for life. How visible that scar ends up being is the whole question, and it depends on your scalp laxity, your hair density at the front and how the incision is made.

• A high but stable hairline. A naturally tall forehead where the hairline is not receding. This is the clearest indication and gives the most predictable result.
• Good scalp laxity. A mobile scalp advances further, so the achievable change is larger.
• Dense hair at the front. Hair growing through and in front of the incision is what hides it. Thin frontal hair makes the scar harder to conceal.
• Not for active pattern loss. With ongoing recession, the operation treats today's problem and not tomorrow's. Medical treatment and a stable pattern come first.

1. 1

   Assessment and marking

   The new hairline is drawn with you sitting upright, and scalp mobility is tested to judge how far it can move. The plan should be a distance you both agree on.
2. 2

   Anaesthetic

   Usually general anaesthetic or sedation with local anaesthetic, depending on the extent and on whether anything else is being done at the same time.
3. 3

   Removing the strip

   A strip of forehead skin is removed along the marked line, sized to the agreed advancement.
4. 4

   Advancing the scalp

   The scalp is released and drawn forward. Where more movement is needed, the surgeon may release deeper tissue, and in some cases the work is staged.
5. 5

   Closure along the hairline

   Layered closure with the incision sited so hair can grow through it. Sutures or clips come out at a follow-up visit.

• How far the hairline moves. A larger advancement can mean a longer operation and sometimes staged surgery.
• Whether grafts are added. Hair grafts in front of the scar are often combined and are usually priced separately.
• Anaesthetic and stay. General anaesthetic with an overnight stay costs more than sedation as a day case.
• Whether a brow lift is combined. The same incision can be used to lift the brows, which changes both the operation and the quote.

The clinic list on this page shows the current price for each hospital with a label saying what it covers. On staged payment, see the payment plans page. Related facial procedures are covered on the eyebrow transplant page.

• British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, facial surgery patient information.
• British Association of Dermatologists, hair loss patient information.
• General Medical Council, cosmetic interventions guidance.
• Turkish Ministry of Health, health tourism authorisation for hospitals.