Forehead feminization surgery

Your stay at IM GENDER

Before your surgery, we need to conduct an analysis of your facial anatomy (a CT scan of the frontal sinuses, thicknesses and so on) as there are various techniques available. Choosing one or another will depend on the pre-operative study.

You will be admitted on the same day as your forehead feminization surgery. This surgery is usually performed under general anaesthesia. Its duration will depend on each case and the surgeries that may be associated within the context of feminization.

Your stay at IM CLINIC will depend on the facial feminization techniques that are required in your specific case. Your stay will usually be from one to three days, during which time IM GENDER staff will take care of your health and comfort.

Facial feminization techniques

The procedure of feminising your forehead means making different types of hidden incisions in strategic areas of your scalp. If your hairline needs to be brought forward, we will propose a technique enabling your forehead to be shortened and your hairline to be brought forward.

 The final decision on where and how the incisions should be made are taken after a diagnosis and assessment of your wishes and needs. Cranium reshaping is usually performed by grinding so as to reduce the sharp angles of the male cranium.

Forehead feminization surgery is performed on several levels: Lowering the temporal ridge (area A in the illustration). The temporal crest is a lateral thickening of the cranium where the temporalis muscle arises. In men, this muscle is much thicker. It is involved in the chewing process, which is harder in men. Therefore, they need a stronger, thicker incision. Using a grinding technique, the temporal ridge is reduced to smooth it out, bringing it onto the same plane as the rest of the cranium.

Enlarging and rounding the eye orbits in the cranium (area B in the illustration). To achieve a feminine proportion of the eyes in the face, the upper and lateral rims of the eye orbits are ground down, thus increasing their height along with their median and lateral diameter. This grinding also includes the central area of the forehead and its junction with the nose. This results in a more convex, smoother, softened profile. In women this area is narrower than in men, which visually gives the impression that women’s eye orbits are further apart while men’s are closer together. During this operation, the surgeon must be very careful with the place where the supraorbital nerves emerge from the roof of the eye orbit, as well as other supratrochlear and infratrochlear nerves. By lowering the central forehead and upper nose area, a slimmer, more feminine forehead is attained.

Flattening the frontal sinuses (area B in the illustration). The frontal sinuses are a thickening of the cranium above the eyes, which are larger in men than in women. This thickening is not related to the thickness of the bone, but is a hollow cavity with air inside and is usually no more than 2 mm thick. This means it requires a very precise facial feminization technique and expert hands to achieve a smooth, convex forehead. The aim of this surgery is to flatten the frontal sinuses.

There are different techniques, the choice of each of which will depend on the results of the prior study. The most common is grinding the frontal sinus roof and impaction. With this technique we also reduce the space between the frontal sinuses while maintaining the anterior layer of bone that protects the area.
Another technique is remodelling based on excision of the frontal bone plate (osteotomy), which is carried out using ultrasound devices. The area is then remodelled and reattached. The final result is significant, making the forehead strikingly more feminine.

Feminization, beauty and harmony

Once all these forehead elements have been feminised – softer temporal ridges, larger, rounder, more widely separated eye orbits, thinning the nasal and central areas, flattening the forehead and reducing its angle – we determine whether or not the hairline should be brought forward.

The IM GENDER team will also assess other aspects contributing to the harmony of your features, including their proportions and the concept of beauty so as to achieve beautiful, feminine features. These include, for example, raising the eyebrows, achieving more almond-shaped eyes, attaining a clearer gaze, fuller temples (through lipofilling) and more. In addition to forehead feminization, other techniques exist to feminise and beautify non-bony elements. Such elements include raising and arching the eyebrows, as well as raising the outer corners of the eye.

The results

The result of these techniques is a sweeter, more feminine face with softer, rounded angles. While results may be appreciated imminently, your definitive appearance will become visible after about six months.

The scars will be virtually invisible as they are hidden by your hair or at the hairline once your hairline is brought forward.

How much does forehead surgery cost?

The price of a forehead feminization can be different depending on the situation of each patient, and if it is decided to perform it together with other surgeries. So it is important to carry out a first visit to assess the case of the person, being able to indicate an exact price and recommend the best treatment.

Who can undergo a feminization of the forehead?

This surgery is indicated above all for those people who want to change masculine facial features for feminine ones.