What Is The Best Way To Get Rid Of My Forehead Indentation?

Q:  Dr. Eppley, I banged my forehead when I was 11, I’m now 19 years old. I have been left with a noticeable dent in the middle of my forehead and would like it to be less noticeable. A cut type of scar would be much more acceptable than the dent that I have now. I would much prefer a cut scar from surgery that I can cover with make up, rather than a dent that A LOT of people notice and feel they need to point it out to me. Thank you!

A: If this forehead indentation is bone based or from soft tissue atrophy, it may be best treated by building up the bone underneath it. (frontal cranioplasty) This would be a ‘scarless’ way to do it and it could be done from a small incision  back in the scalp where it would not be noticeable. While the indented forehead area could be excised if it was small enough, I woudl question whether a scar would be a good trade-off for the indentation. The size of the indentatio  could also preclude the excisional option. I would have to see pictures of the indentation to see what would be the best surgical treatment.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana