The forehead and brow occupy most of the upper face, and their shape is one of the strongest signals of perceived gender. Forehead contouring alters the shape of the frontal bone and brow ridge to soften or refine the upper face.
It’s most often performed as part of facial feminization, where reducing brow bossing produces a smoother, rounder forehead. The same anatomy can also be built up rather than reduced — see forehead augmentation and our facial masculinization page if that’s your goal.
Three related procedures address this area:
- Forehead contouring reduces the width, height, and projection of the forehead to create a smoother, rounder shape, by shaving bone, reshaping it, or combining bone work with soft-tissue adjustment.
- Brow bossing reduction specifically targets the protruding ridge above the eyes, which is typically more prominent in men, allowing a more open brow and a natural eyebrow arch.
- Brow position adjustment addresses low-set or heavy brows by repositioning them higher, which reads as more feminine. See forehead lift / brow lift.
Picture 1. Shows differentiation between male and female foreheads
3 Types of Forehead Contouring
The right technique depends on your bone thickness and the size of your frontal sinus. This can only be determined accurately with a CT scan.
Type I: Forehead Augmentation
Used when the forehead is flat or concave and needs a softer curve. Volume is added to the mid-forehead with fat grafting, injectable fillers or a permanent implant. See Forehead Augmentation.
Type II: Forehead Shaving
Used when the bone over the frontal sinus is thick. The surgeon uses a high-speed burr to shave the brow ridge as much as possible without opening the sinus, creating a smooth, rounded curve. The bone can usually be reduced by up to about 3 mm, depending on its thickness on the CT scan. If shaving alone doesn’t create a smooth enough shape, an implant or bone cement may be used to blend the area.
Type III: Frontal Sinus Setback (Forehead Reconstruction)
Used when more reduction is needed than shaving can safely achieve, either because the bone over the sinus is too thin or because the sinus projects beyond the natural curve of the forehead. The front wall of the frontal sinus is removed as a plate of bone, reshaped, and set back into a flatter position. It is then secured with fine wires or mini plates and screws. The surrounding bone is smoothed so the forehead curves naturally.
Orbital Rim Contouring and Brow Position
If the bony rims at the sides of the eyes project and make the eyes look deep-set, they can be reduced at the same time to open up the eye area.
The position of the eyebrows also affects how masculine or feminine the forehead looks. If your brows sit low or look heavy, a brow lift can raise them to a softer, more arched position, often through the same incision.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
- You have a prominent brow ridge or frontal sinus that you’d like to reduce
- Projecting orbital rims make your eyes look deep-set
- You want a softer, more feminine upper face, including as part of FFS
- You want forehead augmentation but have a prominent brow ridge that needs reducing first
- You’re aged 18 or over, so your facial bones have finished growing
- You’re in good health, understand the risks, and have realistic expectations
Preparation
Preparing for forehead contouring can be daunting, but it’s important to ensure the best possible outcome. To ensure a successful procedure, it’s important to:
- Consult a highly skilled and experienced plastic surgeon to discuss your surgical goals, medical conditions, and current treatments.
- Undergo a health status and psychological examination, including blood tests, chest X-rays, electrolyte levels, and HIV tests.
- A CT scan is also necessary.
- Stop smoking and drinking alcohol for at least one week before surgery.
- Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements, as they can increase bleeding and bruising.
- Stop eating and drinking at least 6 hours before surgery.
The Procedure
- Surgery is performed under general anesthesia.
- An incision is made about 1 cm behind the hairline, curving along the forehead so the scar is hidden in the hair.
- The scalp and forehead tissue are lifted down to the bone to expose the brow ridge.
- The surgeon shaves the bone (Type II) or removes and resets the front wall of the sinus (Type III), depending on your anatomy.
- The scalp is redraped, and any excess skin may be removed.
- The incision is closed.
The operation takes about 2–4 hours.
Post-operative Care
You will be given medical ice packs to apply to your face, most likely around the eyes, to control pain, redness, and swelling.
- Avoid strenuous activity for three to four weeks.
- Apply ice compresses to your forehead for 20 minutes at a time throughout the first few days of recovery to reduce swelling and discomfort
- Keep the head elevated for 1-2 weeks after surgery to reduce post-op swelling
- Have a selection of button-up shirts ready to wear during recovery to prevent irritating the scalp.
- We will provide you with a compression garment, which you should wear as much as possible for at least two weeks to reduce swelling.
Recovery
- About 2 weeks: most patients return to work.
- About 1 month: the change in shape is clearly visible. Avoid strenuous activity for the first month.
- About 6 weeks: you can return to heavy exercise.
- About 3 months: most swelling has settled and you’ll be close to your final result.
- Up to 12 months: subtle refinements may continue.
Risks and Complications
Complications for forehead contouring are generally rare, but as with any major surgery, there is a risk of bleeding, infection, and adverse reaction to anesthesia. Other potential complications include:
- Suture rupture along an incision line
- Visible scarring
- Fluid accumulation (seroma) beneath the skin
- Hematoma (bleeding)
- Injury to the facial nerve
- Exceptional cases may require additional surgery to correct facial asymmetry and enhance results
Before & After of Forehead Contouring
Patient Reviews
Video: Forehead Contouring
Why Choose Kamol Hospital in Bangkok for Forehead Contouring
- CT-based planning: Every forehead is assessed with a CT scan, so your surgeon knows the exact thickness of the bone and the size of your frontal sinus before choosing a technique.
- All three techniques available: Augmentation, shaving and frontal sinus setback, so the least invasive option that achieves your goal can be chosen.
- Experience in facial feminization: Forehead contouring is a core part of Kamol’s FFS work, and our surgeons perform it routinely.
- Whole upper-face planning: Forehead contouring can be combined with hairline lowering, brow lift and orbital rim reduction through the same hidden incision.
- Hospital-level safety: Surgery under general anesthesia with a dedicated anesthesia team, in a JCI-accredited hospital.
- Support for international patients: Multilingual coordinators and Kamol Trip help you plan your stay and recovery in Bangkok.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is forehead contouring?
Forehead contouring (aka forehead shaving or forehead reshaping surgery), is a procedure designed to reshape the forehead, creating a smoother, more balanced, and feminine appearance.
This procedure is often sought after by individuals who feel like their forehead is perhaps too prominent, sloping, or masculine in appearance. In making subtle alterations to the bone structure, forehead shaving can create a more harmonious facial profile.
How do I know which type of forehead contouring I need?
It depends on the thickness of the bone over your frontal sinus and how far the brow ridge projects, and only a CT scan can show this accurately. If the bone is thick, shaving (Type II) may be enough. If it’s thin, or the sinus projects too far, the front wall needs to be set back (Type III). Your surgeon will explain the options after reviewing your scan.
Can forehead contouring be combined with hairline lowering or a brow lift?
Yes, and this is common in facial feminization. The same incision near the hairline can be used to lower a high hairline with hairline lowering, or raise low brows with a brow lift. Planning these together creates a balanced upper face with one recovery period.
Will the scar be visible?
The incision is made about 1 cm behind the hairline and curves along the forehead, so it is hidden by your hair once healed. Some patients notice temporary hair thinning along the scar, which usually grows back within a few months. If you have a receding or very high hairline, your surgeon may suggest an incision along the hairline instead.
Is it safe to operate on the frontal sinus?
In Type III surgery, the front wall of the sinus is carefully removed, reshaped and fixed back in place, while the sinus behind it is preserved. Problems with the sinus afterwards are uncommon when the procedure is planned with a CT scan and performed by an experienced surgeon. Your surgeon will discuss the specific risks for your anatomy.
Are the results permanent?
Yes. Shaving and frontal sinus setback permanently reshape the bone, so the result doesn’t wear off. Forehead augmentation with a permanent implant also lasts long-term. Fillers and fat grafts can be partly absorbed over time and may need topping up.
How long should I stay in Bangkok after forehead contouring?
Plan to stay in Bangkok for about 10–14 days. This allows for stitch removal at 10 days and a follow-up check before you fly home. If you’re combining forehead contouring with other facial procedures, allow a little longer. Thailand is one of the world’s most established destinations for facial feminization surgery, and Kamol Trip can arrange accommodation close to the hospital.
