Everyone wants to look their best because appearance plays a significant role in boosting our confidence. When it comes to hair, aside from issues like hair loss and thinning, there’s also the concern of having a wide forehead, commonly referred to as a high hairline.’ This can greatly affect one’s confidence. Currently, there are two popular methods to address a wide forehead: hair transplant and forehead reduction surgery. How do these two methods differ? Let’s explore.
WHAT IS HAIR TRANSPLANTATION?
Hair transplantation is the process of moving hair follicles from one area (Donor area) to another area (Recipient area), primarily using hair from the back of the head that is not affected by the hormone DHT, which is a major contributor to hair loss as mentioned in previous articles. Currently, there are two methods of hair transplantation:
FUT (FOLLICULAR UNIT TRANSPLANTATION)
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is a surgical procedure in which a strip of scalp from the back of the head, which contains strong hair follicles, is dissected and divided into grafts under a microscope. These grafts are then transplanted into the desired area. This technique, considered traditional, may result in a linear scar of approximately 15-30 centimeters in length and is suitable for cases requiring a large number of grafts.
FUE (FOLLICULAR UNIT EXCISION)
FUE (Follicular Unit Excision) hair transplant is a modern technique that involves transferring hair grafts from the Donor area. However, unlike FUT, there is no need for the removal of a strip of scalp. Instead, individual grafts are extracted one by one and transplanted into the desired area. One of the key advantages of this method is that the extraction sites are very small and barely noticeable, resulting in minimal discomfort and a quicker recovery time.
WHAT IS FOREHEAD REDUCTION SURGERY?
Forehead reduction surgery, or Hairline Lowering, is a procedure that involves cutting the area below the hairline and pulling it down to reduce the width of the forehead by approximately 2-3 centimeters (varies from person to person). It helps improve the overall proportion and shape of the forehead and face. The surgery typically takes only about 1-2 hours.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAIR TRANSPLANTATION AND FOREHEAD REDUCTION SURGERY
Forehead reduction surgery and hair transplantation, while having a similar goal of reducing the size of the forehead area, have some differences between the two procedures, including:
THE BENEFITS OF HAIR TRANSPLANTATION:
- No need for extensive post-operative recovery.
- Transplanted hair remains permanent.
- In FUE hair transplantation, the scars from the hair grafts are small, typically around 1 millimeter, and they heal quickly.
- You can define a new hairline according to your preferences.
BENEFITS OF FOREHEAD REDUCTION SURGERY:
- Immediate reduction in forehead size.
- More cost-effective than hair transplantation.
- Shorter surgical duration.
- Can achieve a more youthful appearance by reshaping the forehead and facial contour.
DRAWBACKS OF HAIR TRANSPLANTATION:
- It has a relatively high cost compared to other cosmetic procedures.
- The procedure takes a long time to complete (depending on each case).
- There needs to be a sufficient amount of hair in the donor area to transplant to the desired area.
WHO IS FOREHEAD REDUCTION SURGERY SUITABLE FOR?
Forehead reduction surgery is suitable for individuals with a forehead width of 5-6 centimeters or more, or for those with a limited number of hair follicles in the donor area that cannot be transplanted adequately. It is also suitable for individuals who want to enhance the appearance of their facial contour to look more youthful and balanced.
FOREHEAD REDUCTION SURGERY OR HAIR TRANSPLANT, WHICH ONE IS BETTER?
SUMMARY
Hair transplantation and forehead reduction surgery, while having their own distinct advantages and disadvantages, share the common goal of reducing the width of the forehead. Those who have thoroughly studied the pros and cons and are interested in reducing the size of their forehead can choose either method. When making this decision, it is also important to consider the skill of the surgeon and the quality of the clinic for the safety and well-being of the patient.
