Forehead Muscles and Hairlines

This is in reference to this response.

You mentioned needing to see the eyebrows and forehead lifted by an individual to see where exactly to construct a hairline. I read a lot of doctors ask the patient to lift their forehead to help construct a hairline as well. My understanding was it showed the extent to where the muscles of the forehead ended which would basically indicate the lowest possible position of one’s hairline. Anyhow, regardless if I was correct or wrong in my understanding, what about individuals such as myself who cannot move or lift their forehead through use of the muscles located there? I was told by my doctor that these muscles were “underdeveloped” or weak and I have never been one either to voluntarily or involuntarily move my forehead in which to show creases or wrinkles. How would a doctor determine where a proper hairline should be located in my case and others? Thank you!

We do not base a hairline on forehead muscle per se, but it does give a generalized reference point. It does not matter if you cannot lift your forehead to delineate a muscle. An anatomically correct hairline is made with the general proportions of a person’s face using the rule of thirds the way artists draw a face. Alternatives that we use are in equalizing the chin to nose distance with the distance from the glabella (groove between the eyes above the nose) and a similar distance upward.

Hairline position is not an exact science — it is an artistic design based on proportions and knowledge of human anatomy and form, and takes into account what the patient believes fits his facial proportions. We often find that this process becomes a negotiation to arrive at the ideal location.