Can I Get A Large Skull Augmentation To Increase My Head Circumference 2 to 3 inches?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’m a healthy male in my mid-to-late 20s who is seriously interested in undergoing aesthetic skull augmentation, specifically a 360-degree custom cranial implant to increase my overall head circumference and improve cranial aesthetics.

I’ve done extensive research and understand that you’re one of the few surgeons globally with deep experience in custom cranial implants for cosmetic purposes. I’m reaching out to request a consultation regarding the possibility of increasing my skull size by approximately 2–3 inches in circumference using a comprehensive implant approach — covering the occipital, temporal, parietal, and crown regions.

My current skull circumference is approximately 21 inches, and I feel my head is proportionally small for my frame, especially from a front and profile perspective. My goals are:

To increase cranial volume in a natural-looking, symmetrical way.

To enhance facial balance and improve the aesthetics of my head shape.

To explore what’s realistically achievable with a full custom implant.

I am fully prepared to provide imaging (CT scan, head photos) and am open to traveling for surgery if I’m deemed a suitable candidate.

Would it be possible to schedule a consultation with you or your team to discuss this in more depth?

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.

A:Thank you for your inquiry and sending your pictures. As you have expressed an interest overall skull augmentation of a large surface area with specific linear increases let me provide you with some insights about what can and cannot be done.

First and foremost in the shaved head male, regardless of what size skull augmentation one is considering, the location and extent of the surgical incisions and resultant scars to do so is an important aesthetic consideration. Always remember that aesthetic surgery at some levels is really about trading off one problem for another. I think in the shaved head male one has to be very cautious about the trade off of scalp scars for a better head shape.

Secondly when one is considering and a more complete skull augmentation effect the question is always whether the stretch of the scalp will permit it. As a general rule large skull augmentations almost always requirea a first stage scalp expansion procedure.

Third, the amount of skull augmentation that you have indicated by the numbers are not realistic changes. You’re not going to increase your circumferential skull size by 2 to 3 inches. That is not an achievable outcome regardless of what type of two-stage skull augmentation procedure is done. Patients commonly over estimate by numbers how much my skull augmentation they think they need. This is because in skull augmentation the linear numbers are not as important is the overall volume in ccs of the implant. The head is similar to a sphere where volume displacement is more representative of its effect rather than a linear number.

These three concepts are what you need to consider for larger types of skull augmentation.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon