How Can I Improve My Narrow Forehead Shape?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Generally curious what procedures you would recommend given my complaint. I don’t like the ratio of my narrower and recessed forehead to my cheekbones and jaw width resulting in a big lower face. Not sure where to add or subtract from. I sometimes feel like my jaw is very wide but not sure if that is because my chin is a bit short and under projected for my face. I really don’t know if I would benefit from jaw shaving + chin implant versus a jaw implant that adds length to my face. Another question is cheekbone narrowing – would this give the results I want? I know it is common amongst asian people but I’m pretty wary of taking away what seems to hold up you whole face. It does seem to look good in photos. I don’t mind the anterior projection of my forehead, but hate how flat it looks at the 3/4 angle. At the same time not happy with the loose skin under my chin. Would a chin or jaw implant fill that loose skin and take care of the jowls? or would I need a neck lift in conjunction with the implant.

A: Thank you for your inquiry and sending your pictures. My initial reaction is that your needs are more reductive in nature rather than augmentation. My speculation is that what bothers you is the natural facial structural shape that is consistent with your ethnicity…. meaning the lower two thirds of your face is wider and more square. Thus while you can augment your forehead, in and of itself,  that just takes your  base concerns and magnifies them making the entire face broader. The focus is on your mid and lower face of which you have a flat mandibular plane angle which makes for a broader lower jaw and naturally wider cheeks.. While n there may be a role for some vertical chin lengthening cheek and  jaw angle reductions are the methods to narrow your lower face.

To summarize my initial reactions are: 1) cheek and jawline goal reductions, 2) vertical chin lengthening and 3) moderate forehead augmentation to correct the shape and the three-quarter view. This will certainly help the submental and jowl areas in regards to loose soft tissue.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon