Forehead Reduction (Hairline Lowering) in Istanbul, Turkey
Forehead reduction surgery in Istanbul lowers a high hairline by removing a strip of forehead skin and moving the hair-bearing scalp forward. Op. Dr. Ahmet Dilber performs it under general anaesthesia in 1.5 to 2 hours, with one night in hospital. The plaster comes off on day 4 at his Ataköy practice, and you can fly home after that check. He decides suitability from your photos first.
Send your photos on WhatsAppSee before and after photos
Before and after, forehead reduction. Results vary.
Before and after, forehead reduction. Results vary.
Before and after, forehead reduction. Results vary.
Before and after, forehead reduction. Results vary.
Before and after, forehead reduction. Results vary.
Ratings as of November 2026
Acıbadem Bakırköy
where Dr. Dilber operates, with one night of hospital care
1 year
of follow-up after surgery, in person or on WhatsApp
Licensed
for international health tourism by the Turkish Ministry of Health
What is forehead reduction, and how does Dr. Dilber perform it?
Forehead reduction, also called hairline lowering, shortens the distance between the hairline and the root of the nose. In surgery he makes an incision along the hairline, removes the excess forehead skin, brings the hair-bearing scalp forward and closes the wound with dissolvable sutures. The bone is never touched. The operation takes 1.5 to 2 hours under general anaesthesia.
The result is visible straight away, and hair length does not matter, so it also works with short hair. Forehead reduction is Dr. Dilber's procedure; he does not perform hair transplants. If you later want more density, a hair-transplant clinic can add it about one year afterwards. Forehead reduction does not lift the eyebrows, although a minimal lift can be requested. Read forehead reduction vs hair transplant.
Op. Dr. Ahmet Dilber is a plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon. He trained at İstanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, completed his residency at Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital and sees patients at his private practice in Ataköy. Read more about Dr. Dilber.
Forehead reduction results
Before and after photos of Op. Dr. Ahmet Dilber's patients, from @drahmetdilber on Instagram. Results vary.
Could forehead reduction suit your hairline?
Dr. Dilber decides suitability from the photos and medical history you send, which his assistant presents to him, and confirms it when he examines you. You need to be 18 or over.
A stable hairline
Forehead reduction suits a hairline that is high by nature or has stopped moving back. If hair is still receding, the scar may show later. Tell the team about family hair loss, any hair-loss medicines and any previous transplant. Older photos help show the trend over the years. Men usually need a closer look at this; see forehead reduction for men.
Enough scalp movement
How far the hairline can come forward depends on how loose your scalp is and how tall your forehead is now. A tight scalp may allow a smaller change than you hope for. Your photos give a first view. Dr. Dilber checks scalp movement by hand at the consultation in Ataköy and makes the final plan there. The candidacy guide explains this in more detail.
Time to recover
Plan to be in Istanbul from the day before surgery until day 4. That covers the consultation, one night in hospital, and plaster removal and the check on day 4, after which you can fly home. Most people return to work after 5 days unless the job is physically heavy, and strenuous exercise waits 6 weeks. Follow-up photos continue on WhatsApp for a year.
What happens before and during your stay in Istanbul?
Before you travel: photo review
Send photos of your forehead from the front, left and right on WhatsApp, with your hair pulled back, plus your medical history. Dr. Dilber's assistant presents them to Dr. Dilber, who decides whether you are a candidate. A video consultation with him and his assistant can be arranged if you want one. A hotel and transfer package is available on request.
The day before: consultation in Ataköy
Arrive in Istanbul the day before surgery. Dr. Dilber examines you in person at his practice in Ataköy, Bakırköy, goes through the risks with you, takes your consent and marks the agreed hairline. Health tests and the anaesthetic assessment follow at Acıbadem Bakırköy Hospital. Stop smoking, vaping and blood thinners at least 10 days before surgery, and fast for 8 hours beforehand.
Surgery day: one night in hospital
The operation takes 1.5 to 2 hours under general anaesthesia at Acıbadem Bakırköy Hospital, one of Turkey's leading private hospital groups. Dr. Dilber sees you before and after surgery. The incision is covered with plaster, which stays on until day 4. You can eat and drink 3 hours after the operation. You stay one night, are up and walking the next day and return to your hotel.
Days 2 to 4: check and flying home
You can shower from day 2 with warm or cold water, keeping hot water and hot air off the scalp. A soft head band can be worn from day 1 over the plaster. On day 4 the plaster is removed at the Ataköy practice and Dr. Dilber checks the wound. You can then fly home, with written aftercare instructions and an operation summary in English and Turkish. Keep protecting the forehead from knocks.
After you return home: follow-up for a year
You send photos of the incision on WhatsApp at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, and Dr. Dilber and his assistants review your healing and adjust creams or medication if needed. If you notice redness, discharge, an opening wound or increasing pain, send photos straight away; he advises on treatment. Read about aftercare after you fly home.
Your stay in Istanbul
You see Dr. Dilber at his practice in Ataköy, have surgery at Acıbadem Bakırköy Hospital and can stay at a nearby hotel.
The practice in Ataköy
Your consultation, dressing checks and follow-up visits take place at Dr. Dilber's practice in Ataköy, Bakırköy.
Reception 
Examination room 
Consultation office 
Waiting area
Acıbadem Bakırköy Hospital
Surgery and your night in hospital take place here, with nurses on the ward and Dr. Dilber seeing you before and after the operation.
Acıbadem Bakırköy Hospital 
Patient room 
Hospital lobby 
Hospital ward
Hyatt Regency Istanbul Ataköy
A hotel and transfer package is available on request, close to the practice.
Hyatt Regency Istanbul Ataköy 
Hotel room 
Hotel and sea view
What patients say
Scores from independent review platforms, covering all of Dr. Dilber's procedures, as of November 2026, and short excerpts from patient reviews.
4.9/ 5 · 166 reviews
Read reviews on RealSelf →
4.7/ 5 · 201 reviews
Read reviews on Google →
4.6/ 5 · 29 reviews
Read reviews on Trustpilot →
“People don't even notice the scar, and I'm only four months post-op!”
yasmine SM, France · Forehead reduction · December 2025
Read the full review on Trustpilot →“Something that was a big insecurity is no longer an insecurity…”
Jocelyn Lara, USA · Forehead reduction · October 2025
Read the full review on Trustpilot →“…he listened to my wishes very carefully…”
Adelina, USA · Forehead reduction · December 2025
Read the full review on Trustpilot →
How long is recovery, and what are the risks?
You are up and walking the day after surgery and back at your hotel after one night in hospital. The plaster comes off on day 4 at the Ataköy practice, and you can fly home after that check. Expect tightness and mild pain, eased by prescribed medication; swelling settles in 4 to 5 days and numbness lasts a few months. Most people return to work after 5 days unless the job is physically heavy. Avoid strenuous exercise and smoking for 6 weeks, and protect the scar with SPF 50+ while it matures over about a year. The recovery guide and the scar page give more detail.
Any cosmetic surgery carries risks. For forehead reduction they include bleeding, infection, numbness or altered sensation behind the hairline, a visible or widened scar, hair loss along the incision, an uneven hairline and the need for revision surgery. Dr. Dilber goes through each one with you in person the day before surgery, before you agree to it. Sending your follow-up photos helps spot problems early.
Recovery milestones after forehead reduction
Up and walking; leave hospital
Day 1, after one night
Shower, warm or cold water
From day 2
Plaster removed, wound checked
Day 4, at the Ataköy practice
Fly home
Day 4, after the check
Back to work; sexual activity
Work after 5 days, sex after 1 week; heavy jobs later
Strenuous exercise
After 6 weeks
Frequently asked questions
The scar sits along the hairline. The sutures dissolve within about 6 months, and hair can grow through the incision line and hide it. How fine it becomes depends on your skin, closure tension and your aftercare: use the antibiotic cream and scar gel Dr. Dilber prescribes, SPF 50+ or a hat, and avoid knocks. The scar matures over about one year. He reviews it at each photo check, and you can ask to see healed scar photos.
Answer comes with the content seed.
Answer comes with the content seed.
Answer comes with the content seed.
Answer comes with the content seed.
Answer comes with the content seed.
Answer comes with the content seed.
Answer comes with the content seed.
Explore the practice
Before and after resultsBefore and after photos of Dr. Dilber's patients. Results vary.See the gallery →
Patient guide (PDF)The guide we send every patient: timeline, medication, aftercare.Download the guide →
Send three photos. Find out if you are a candidate.
Photograph your forehead from the front, left and right with your hair pulled back. Dr. Dilber's assistant presents them to him, and the team replies on WhatsApp with his view and the next steps.
