Frontal Bossing

Q: Dr. Eppley, I wanted to know if you can greatly reduce the size of my prominent frontal bossing. This part of my skull that is currently protruding out of my forehead and causing my hair to fall out? Can it be reduced as well as  lower and restore my hairline in the process? The reason I ask this because since my skull expanded my cranial and facial appearance has been altered and I wish to revert this process. If you could please let me know what steps one usually takes from here I would be really grateful.

A: Thank you for your inquiry and sending your pictures. Your frontal bossing can be reduced fairly significantly and the frontal hairline brought forward. How much the frontal bossing can be reduced depends on the thickness of the bone. How much the frontal hairline can be brought forward depends on how much laxity of the scalp exists after it is elevated. While both can be simultaneously accomplished, one issue is that there will be a fine line scar at the edge of the hairline. This is the dual access point for both procedures. Since frontal bossing is not the source of hair loss, the long term consequences of having a fine line scar there and the fate of the hairline in the future bears giving consideration as to its advisability.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana