Hairline lowering

What is hairline lowering with a hair transplant?

A forehead often looks high because of where the hairline sits. In hairline lowering with a hair transplant, we place grafts in front of your current hairline to create a new, lower hairline. Using the FUE method, we take the grafts one by one, mostly from the donor area at the back and sides of the head.

Surgical forehead reduction, in which a strip of forehead skin is removed and the scalp is pulled forward, is a different operation; on this page, we describe only the procedure done with a hair transplant.

Who may it be suitable for?

We consider it in the following situations:

• If the hairline is naturally high and the forehead looks long compared with the rest of the face
• If the forehead looks wide because the temples are set back
• If the hairline has receded due to hair loss and the hair loss is stable
• If there is enough healthy hair in the donor area

In women who want this procedure, the hairline is often naturally high; in men, it is usually a hairline that has receded due to hair loss. That is why we approach the plan differently for women and for men. We describe hair transplant for women on a separate page. Whether it suits you becomes clear during the examination.

Situations we need to discuss together first

• If your hair loss is ongoing or started at a young age: a transplant does not stop your own hair from falling out; as the hair loss progresses, thinning may appear behind the new hairline. Sometimes we recommend medical treatment before a transplant.
• If it is not clear why your hairline has receded: some hair and scalp conditions can also make the hairline recede; we need to understand the cause before planning a transplant.
• If you would like the hairline brought very low: a very low hairline that looks good to you today may look out of keeping with your face as you get older.

How do we design the hairline?

The hairline frames your face; that is why the design is one of the most important steps of the procedure. We decide on the new line together with you before the procedure. In doing so, we look at your facial proportions, the position of your eyebrows, your temples, and how your appearance may change as you get older.

We design the hairline not as a sharp, straight line but as a soft, slightly irregular transition. We place single-hair grafts in the front rows and grafts with several hairs further back. We adjust the angle and direction in which the hair grows to match your existing hair. Our aim is for the new hairline to be in harmony with your facial features.

The hairline in women and in men

In women, the hairline is usually more rounded and blends softly into the temples. In men, the temple corners are often set a little further back. We base the design on these differences and on the shape of your face.

What does the donor area determine?

Your donor area determines how far we can lower the hairline and how densely we can place grafts. The donor area is not unlimited; every graft we take today is one fewer graft available in the future.

That is why we do not plan only for today. If your hair loss may progress, we take into account that grafts may also be needed for the crown or the mid-scalp in the future. Because we create the new hairline in an area without hair, the desired density may not be achieved in a single session; in that case, a second session may be needed.

Limitations

• A hairline that has been lowered is not easy to move back up later; that is why we take a measured approach to the design.
• Because the recipient area is right on your forehead, redness and scabbing during healing may be more noticeable.
• If your hair is thick and dark and your skin is light, the color contrast may make the new hairline look sharper; we plan the choice and placement of the grafts accordingly.

Results vary from person to person, depending on your hair type, your skin and how you heal.

The process and aftercare

The process is the same as for other hair transplant procedures: initial call, examination and planning, the day of the procedure, and follow-up. We harvest the grafts under local anesthesia and, depending on your plan, place them into channels opened beforehand or with an implanter pen (DHI).

In the first few days, you may notice redness and scabbing; there may also be temporary swelling on the forehead and around the eyes. In the weeks after the procedure, some of the transplanted hair or the hair around it may fall out temporarily; this is called shock loss. When it happens and to what extent varies from person to person.

It takes months for new hair to grow, and when your new hairline becomes clear also varies from person to person. We review your progress together at follow-up appointments.

We give you written aftercare instructions on washing, sleeping and returning to daily life; always follow those instructions rather than the general information on this page.

Frequently asked questions