A Beveled Frontal Hairline Incision for Subcutaneous Forehead Lift

Lee, Sang Yeul; Sung, Kun Yong

Abstract

Anterior frontal hairline incisions have been used for subcutaneous forehead lifts, reduction foreheadplasty, endoscopic forehead lifts in patients with long foreheads. However, the resulting visible hairline scar has been a major concern. To obtain a more aesthetic scar, different types of incisions have been used. Since 2005, we have been using 30~45degrees anteriorly beveled incisions 4~5 mm behind the anterior frontal hairline when performing subcutaneous forehead lifts. In the present study, 32 patients who underwent subcutaneous forehead lifts and could be followed up for more than 6 months were evaluated for the incisional scars. Using a questionnaire, all the patients were interviewed regarding their postoperative hairstyle changes and reaction to the scars from the subcutaneous forehead lifts. Their responses with respect to the scars were as follows: less than expected, 30 patients; equal as expected, 2 patients; worse than expected, no patients. The surgeon's evaluation of scar visibility was as follows: barely visible (scar and alopecia were not seen or barely seen), 19 patients; minimally visible (a fine scar was seen), 12 patients; markedly visible (a wide scar or alopecia was seen), 1 patient. Except 1 patient, all other patients did not change their hairstyles permanently to camouflage their scars. Therefore, the 30~45degrees anteriorly beveled incision 4~5 mm behind the anterior frontal hairline was demonstrated to result in an aesthetically acceptable scar.