How to Get a Smaller Forehead
If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and felt like your forehead dominates your facial features, you’re not alone. Many people—especially women—are self-conscious about having a “large forehead,” which can throw off facial balance and draw attention away from your eyes and other central features.
The good news is that there are several effective options for creating a smaller-looking forehead, both surgical and nonsurgical. Whether you’re considering a surgical procedure or want a temporary way to camouflage your forehead, here’s everything you need to know about how to get a smaller forehead.
What Makes a Forehead Look Big?
It’s important to understand what makes a forehead appear large in the first place. The forehead spans the area between the eyebrows and the hairline, and its perceived size is affected by a few key anatomical factors:
Hairline position – A high hairline is the most common reason someone feels like their forehead is too large.
Eyebrow position – Low or heavy-set brows can increase the vertical height of the forehead.
Bone structure – In some people, the forehead appears larger due to a prominent brow bone or a sloped forehead.
Facial proportions – Some people are genetically predisposed to having a longer vertical midface, making the forehead appear more prominent.
Depending on your facial anatomy, the ideal treatment may target one or more of these components.
Surgical Options to Reduce Forehead Size
1. Hairline Lowering Surgery (Forehead Reduction)
Best for: People with a high hairline with no active hair loss.
Not ideal for: People with thin hair or those that have active hair loss
Hairline lowering surgery—also known as forehead reduction—is one of the most effective ways to reduce forehead height. The procedure involves making a trichophytic incision (just behind the hairline), excising a strip of forehead skin, and then advancing the hair-bearing scalp forward.
What sets hairline lowering apart is that it delivers instant, natural-looking results in one procedure. The scar is typically hidden at the hairline and becomes almost imperceptible over time, especially in people with thicker hair.
Why I recommend hairline lowering over hair grafts:
Hair grafts tend to be a better option for men or those who have a high likelihood of hair loss in the future. The downside of hair grafts is that the density of transplanted hair rarely matches that of the native hairline. Multiple sessions are usually needed, which can be time-consuming and costly.
Hairline lowering surgery provides a more uniform and natural density, especially in women who style their hair back or part it in a way that exposes the front hairline.
2. Brow Bone Reduction (Forehead Contouring)
Best for: People with a prominent brow ridge or a “Neanderthal” look to the forehead
A prominent brow bone can make the upper third of the face look more masculine and pronounced. This is more common in men, but some women naturally have a protruding brow that contributes to a “larger” forehead.
Brow bone reduction (also called frontal bossing reduction) involves surgically shaving down the bony prominence above the eyes.
In patients with mild prominence that is isolated to the orbital rim, this may be a straightforward burring technique. In others, a portion of bone must be temporarily removed, reshaped, and reattached.
This procedure is sometimes combined with a brow lift or hairline lowering for a more balanced result.
3. Brow Lift
Best for: People with low brows or excess skin weighing down the eyes
Not ideal for: People who already have brows in proper position or who have difficulty closing their eyes after blepharoplasty.
A brow lift helps raise the eyebrows to a more youthful and open position, which can actually make the forehead appear shorter. When brows sit low on the face, the forehead looks longer vertically. By repositioning the brows, we visually reduce the space between the brows and hairline.
There are different types of brow lifts—endoscopic, coronal, pretrichial, and temporal—and the right one depends on your anatomy. For patients with a high hairline, I typically avoid coronal lifts, as they can raise the hairline further. A pretrichial brow lift can sometimes be combined with a hairline lowering procedure for the best of both worlds.
4. Hair Grafts (Hair Transplantation)
Best for: People with hair loss or those who are not candidates for hairline lowering
Not ideal for: People seeking high-density results at the front hairline
Hair transplants can be used to rebuild or reshape the frontal hairline, creating the illusion of a smaller forehead. This is often done using follicular unit extraction (FUE) or strip harvesting (FUT), where hair is harvested from the back of the head and implanted at the front.
While this is a good option for some, especially those who have experienced hair loss or have tight scalps that can’t be stretched, transplanted hair often lacks the density and directionality of native hair. It may also require multiple sessions to achieve a dense result.
For most patients concerned about forehead height, I recommend hairline lowering over hair grafting because it provides better coverage, fewer procedures, and a more natural appearance—especially in women.
For more information, check out our blog, “Hairline lowering vs Hair Grafts: Understanding Your Options for a Better Hairline.”
Which Option Is Right for You?
Choosing the right procedure to reduce forehead size depends on identifying the root cause of the concern. Here’s a general guide:
| Concern | Best Treatment |
|---|---|
| High hairline | Hairline Lowering |
| Protruding brow ridge | Brow Bone Reduction |
| Low-set brows | Brow Lift |
| Poor scalp mobility or thinning hair | Hair Grafts |
| Combination of issues | Customized surgical plan |
During a consultation, I take a comprehensive history and examine your scalp and forehead to determine the safest and most effective approach.
Non-Surgical Options for a Smaller Forehead
If you’re not quite ready for surgery, there are temporary options to make the forehead appear smaller.
1. Hairstyling
Simple changes in hairstyle can go a long way. Bangs, side parts, and layered cuts can all help cover a high hairline and draw attention away from the forehead.
Check out our blog, “Solutions for Dealing with a High Forehead,” for more comprehensive styling tips.
2. Microblading
Microblading can add definition and structure to your hairline, making the forehead appear more proportionate. This is especially useful if your hairline is very thin or lighter in color.
3. Makeup Contouring
Using bronzer or contour powder along the top of the forehead and near the temples can visually shorten forehead height. Highlighting the center of the face and keeping brows lifted with makeup can also create balance.
One example is Leon Miguel Hairline Powder as shown above, but there are many other options available online.
Don’t Let a Large Forehead Hold You Back
A large or prominent forehead can throw off facial harmony, but the good news is that there are tailored solutions depending on the cause—whether it’s a high hairline, a prominent brow bone, or low brows.
Ready to transform your forehead and feel more confident? Book a consultation today to find out which option is right for you. We have offices in Austin and Dallas, TX and offer virtual consultations for our out of state patients!
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