Forehead Reduction Surgery Cost: What to Expect Before You Book
If you’ve ever felt like your forehead takes up a little too much space, you’re not alone. For many people, a high hairline can feel out of balance with the rest of their features—and no amount of bangs or hairstyling tricks seem to make it better. That’s where forehead reduction surgery (also called hairline lowering surgery) can make a huge impact on self-confidence and overall facial harmony.
What Is Forehead Reduction Surgery?
Forehead reduction surgery is a procedure that lowers the hairline by surgically removing a strip of skin from the upper forehead and advancing the scalp forward. The result is a shorter forehead, a more proportionate face, and a natural-looking hairline.
While it’s often confused with a brow lift, the two surgeries are quite different. A brow lift raises the eyebrows to improve a heavy or aged look, while forehead reduction brings the hairline down. Some patients benefit from doing both procedures at the same time for optimal aesthetic balance.
At our Austin, TX practice, Dr. Sarah Saxon frequently combines forehead reduction with brow lift and brow bone reduction surgery, especially for patients looking to feminize the upper third of the face or simply create a more youthful, rested appearance.
Forehead Reduction Surgery Cost Breakdown
Let’s get down to the numbers. In the U.S., forehead reduction surgery typically costs between $10,000 and $15,000. That’s a wide range, and here’s why: the final price depends on several variables, including your location, your surgeon’s expertise, and what’s included in the package.
| Expense | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Surgeon’s Fee | $11,000 – $15,000 |
| Anesthesia Fee | $800 – $1,500 |
| Facility/Operating Room Fee | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| Endotines, Plates, or Screws (if used) | $500 – $1,200 |
| PRF for Healing | $650 |
| Silagen Scar Gel | $70 |
| Xtresse Hair Growth Supplements | $235 (3 month supply) |
| Total Average Cost | $10,000 – $20,000 |
At our Austin-based practice, Dr. Saxon uses PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) during surgery to promote optimal healing and minimize scarring, which is a small added cost—but one that’s well worth it. PRF is drawn from your own blood and injected or applied directly to the incision to speed healing and improve scar quality.
Factors Affecting Forehead Reduction Cost
1. Surgeon’s Experience and Technique
One of the biggest levers in forehead reduction surgery cost is who is performing the procedure and how. Surgeons with advanced training in facial aesthetics, high-volume experience, and refined technique generally charge more—but you’re paying for nuance, safety, and a result that ages gracefully.
Some surgeons use devices like endotines, plates, or screws to offload tension on the incision line. Those can add several hundred to over a thousand dollars to the total cost. At Saxon MD, however, Dr. Saxon does not rely on those fixation devices. Instead, she uses advanced tissue release techniques and precise, layered suture placement to minimize tension on the incision. That surgical finesse helps the incision heal optimally and supports a finer scar—without the added expense or hardware.
2. Location
Where you have surgery matters. Geographic differences in cost reflect regional demand, overhead, and the local economy. Here’s an approximate comparison of surgeon’s fees:
| City / Region | Typical Forehead Reduction Cost |
|---|---|
| New York City | $11,000 – $15,000 |
| Los Angeles | $10,000 – $14,000 |
| Miami | $9,000 – $13,000 |
| Austin, TX | $7,000 – $12,000 |
| Chicago | $8,000 – $11,000 |
| Smaller Cities / Rural | $6,000 – $9,000 |
Austin is quickly becoming a hub for aesthetic surgery, attracting patients from across the country thanks to its blend of top-tier medical care and a destination city to recover in. At Saxon MD, we welcome patients from all over the U.S.—and even internationally.
3. Combination and Complementary Procedures
Often the most natural, balanced results come from pairing forehead reduction with other procedures. At our practice, the two most common adjuncts are:
Brow lift: Elevates and refines brow positioning to harmonize with the new hairline, especially when there’s any descent or heaviness in the upper face.
Brow bone reduction: Softens or feminizes the brow ridge when bony contours are contributing to a heavier, more prominent upper face appearance.
Combining procedures can increase upfront cost, but it is often more efficient and cohesive than staging them separately—since anesthesia and facility costs are optimized in a single operative session.
What’s Included at Our Practice
One thing that sets us apart is our all-inclusive approach to patient care. Since many of our patients fly in for surgery, we’ve designed our process to be as seamless as possible. Here’s what you can expect when you book forehead reduction surgery with Dr. Saxon:
Surgeon’s fee
Board-certified anesthesia provider
Accredited surgical facility
Use of PRF to promote healing
Post-operative visits and long-term follow-up
Hair growth support with Xtresse supplements
Recovery Box with:
Non-irritating shampoo
Hair detangler spray
Gauze, Q-tips, Telfa, and other dressing supplies
The only thing patients need to purchase separately are their prescription medications, which we’ll send to your pharmacy before surgery so you can pick them up easily.
Our goal is to eliminate the stress of running around town trying to gather recovery supplies—especially after traveling. We’ve thought of everything so you don’t have to.
Can I Finance Forehead Reduction Surgery?
Absolutely. Cosmetic surgery is a significant investment, but there are financing options available that make it more manageable. We offer flexible financing through:
CareCredit
PatientFi
Alphaeon Credit
Cherry
With Cherry, for example, you can get approved within minutes and break up your payments into manageable monthly installments. Many of our patients appreciate the ability to pay over time while still getting the care they want now.
Here’s a sample monthly breakdown:
| Procedure Cost | 12-month Payment Plan (0% APR) |
|---|---|
| $9,000 | ~$750/month |
| $12,000 | ~$1,000/month |
| $15,000 | ~$1,250/month |
Longer plans are also available with interest, and approvals are based on credit. We’re happy to walk you through the options during your consultation.
Is Forehead Reduction Worth It?
This is one of the most common questions we hear—and honestly, only you can answer it. But for many of our patients, forehead reduction surgery is one of the most transformative decisions they’ve ever made.
Whether you’ve spent years hiding your forehead behind bangs or avoiding certain hairstyles, the feeling of finally loving your profile (and your photos) is priceless.
At Saxon MD, we’re known for natural-looking, long-lasting results that bring harmony to the face—without looking overdone or trendy. Our philosophy is all about helping you look like the best version of yourself.
Thinking about forehead reduction surgery?
We’d love to help you explore whether it’s the right fit for your goals. Click here to schedule a consultation with Dr. Saxon and take the next step toward a more confident you.
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