Hairline lowering during foreheadplasty

Many patients seeking rejuvenation of their foreheads have high hairlines and are troubled by the prospect that surgery will worsen the deformity. Hairline elevation occurs in both coronal and endoscopic foreheadplasty techniques and is at least part of the reason that many surgeons do not always recommend these procedures when otherwise indicated. Although a pretrichial "hairline" incision prevents hairline retro-displacement, it results in forehead shortening only and not true hairline lowering. When a pretrichial incision is used in combination with a posterior scalp advancement flap, however, true hairline lowering is possible. Experience with this technique encompasses 27 procedures performed over a 5-year period. Patients ranged in age from 35 to 71 years. A significant improvement was demonstrable in all cases and corresponded with a high degree of patient satisfaction. No serious complications were seen. A high hairline must be recognized as the source of both a disproportionate and aged appearance. The ability to lower the hairline and place it in a more proportionate, youthful relationship with the rest of the face adds a new dimension to foreheadplasty equal to or greater in importance to an overall improved appearance as other maneuvers typically performed during the procedure. For many patients, the benefits of hairline lowering far outweigh the trade-off of a more anteriorly situated, and possibly more visible, scar.