Treatment Overview
Hairline lowering surgery (also called forehead reduction surgery) is a cosmetic procedure that reduces the height of the forehead by moving the hairline forward. A high forehead can make the face appear longer, more masculine, or aged. By lowering the hairline, the face achieves improved balance, softer proportions, and a more youthful or feminine appearance.
In Korea, hairline lowering has become highly popular among both local patients and international medical tourists, thanks to the country’s advanced surgical precision, minimal scarring techniques, and expertise in facial harmony. Many patients also combine hairline lowering with procedures such as a brow lift, forehead contouring, or fat grafting for complete aesthetic improvement.
Purpose & Benefits
The main purpose of hairline lowering is to reduce forehead height and improve facial symmetry.
Benefits include:
- A shorter, more proportional forehead.
- Enhanced balance between the hairline, brows, and facial features.
- A softer, more feminine or youthful look.
- Permanent improvement compared to non-surgical hairline camouflage methods.
- Boost in self-confidence and overall attractiveness.
Ideal Candidates
Hairline lowering is suitable for individuals who:
- Have a naturally high or receding hairline.
- Feel their forehead looks too large compared to other facial features.
- Desire a more feminine facial balance, often as part of facial feminization surgery (FFS).
- Have stable hair growth and no severe balding patterns.
- Are in good health and have realistic expectations.
This procedure is often chosen by women with naturally high foreheads, transgender women undergoing feminization, or men with high foreheads who are not experiencing progressive hair loss.
Possible Risks & Complications
Hairline lowering is safe when performed by skilled surgeons in Korea, but like all surgery, it carries some risks:
- Temporary swelling, numbness, or tingling in the forehead or scalp.
- Minor scarring along the hairline (usually hidden by hair regrowth).
- Risk of shock hair loss (temporary thinning near incision).
- Asymmetry if not performed correctly.
Korean surgeons minimize these risks using trichophytic incisions (where hair regrows through the scar) and advanced closure techniques for a nearly invisible result.
Surgical Techniques Used
Korean clinics employ advanced surgical methods to achieve natural and scar-minimized results:
- Trichophytic Hairline Incision: A special incision along the hairline allows hair to grow through the scar, making it almost undetectable.
- Scalp Advancement: The scalp is carefully loosened and advanced forward to lower the hairline.
- Brow Lift Combination: Sometimes combined to balance eyebrow position with the new forehead height.
- Hair Transplant Supplementation: For patients with thin or irregular hairlines, surgeons may use hair grafts to refine the shape.
Korea is also well known for its hybrid approach—combining surgical lowering with hair transplantation for maximum density and the most natural outcome.
Recovery & Aftercare
Recovery from hairline lowering surgery is generally quick:
- Swelling and mild discomfort last about 1–2 weeks.
- Stitches are removed within 7–10 days.
- Most patients return to daily activities in 1–2 weeks.
- Full healing, scar fading, and natural hair regrowth occur over 3–6 months.
Korean clinics are famous for their luxury recovery services, including scar laser treatments, swelling management therapy, and regular follow-up care to ensure optimal healing.
Results & Longevity
Results from hairline lowering are permanent and significantly enhance facial proportions. Once the hair grows through the incision line, the scar becomes nearly invisible. Patients enjoy:
- A lower, more natural-looking hairline.
- Softer, more balanced facial proportions.
- Long-term confidence in both appearance and self-image.
Treatment Process in Korea
Korea is one of the top global destinations for hairline lowering surgery, thanks to:
- 3D imaging and surgical simulations for precise planning.
- Surgeons trained in aesthetic balance and scar-minimizing techniques.
- The option to combine surgery with forehead contouring, brow lifts, or hair transplantation.
- International patient support systems with English-speaking coordinators and premium recovery facilities.
This makes Korea especially attractive for medical tourists, including transgender patients seeking feminization, as clinics are highly experienced in tailoring forehead and hairline procedures for natural, harmonious results.
Cost Range
The cost of hairline lowering in Korea varies depending on the technique and whether additional procedures (like hair transplantation) are included:
- Standard hairline lowering surgery: USD $6,000 – $10,000
- Hairline lowering with brow lift or forehead contouring: USD $8,000 – $12,000
- Hairline lowering with hair transplant refinement: USD $9,000 – $14,000
This pricing is typically more competitive compared to Western countries while maintaining world-class surgical safety and artistry.
Popular Clinics in Korea
Several Seoul-based clinics are highly regarded for hairline lowering surgery:
- ID Hospital – experts in forehead and hairline surgeries, popular for feminization procedures.
- Banobagi Plastic Surgery – known for natural results and scar-minimizing hairline techniques.
- JW Plastic Surgery – combines hairline lowering with advanced hair transplant methods.
- View Plastic Surgery – specializes in facial contouring and forehead-hairline balance.
