10 Months Post Op Forehead Reduction Review + Before & After at Ipche Plastic Surgery Seoul
It has now been roughly 10 months since my forehead reduction surgery, and I felt it was a good time to share a more complete reflection on the experience for anyone considering the procedure themselves.
For quite a long time, I felt that my forehead appeared disproportionately large in relation to the rest of my facial structure. It was never an overwhelming insecurity, but it was something I became increasingly conscious of in photographs, certain lighting, and when styling my hair away from my face. My goal was not to dramatically alter my appearance, but rather to create slightly more balanced proportions while still maintaining a natural result.
After researching a number of clinics in Korea, I ultimately chose Ipche Plastic Surgery Clinic and Dr. Jaewon Heo. What stood out to me during the consultation process was the level of detail and anatomical understanding involved in his explanations. Rather than offering a generic approach, he carefully explained incision placement, scalp mobility, and what degree of advancement would realistically suit my facial proportions. The overall aesthetic direction aligned closely with what I had hoped to achieve: refinement rather than obvious alteration.
In addition to the forehead reduction, I also underwent a under-eye fat grafting.
The surgery itself proceeded smoothly, and the post-operative care was genuinely excellent, and the staff were attentive throughout the recovery period. Having undergone procedures in Korea previously, I can comfortably say the level of aftercare here was among the best I have experienced.
The most difficult aspect of recovery during the initial weeks was the sensation of tightness across the forehead and scalp. It was less painful than uncomfortable, more of a persistent feeling of tension and restricted movement that took some time to adjust to. Sleeping comfortably during the early stages was probably the most inconvenient part, though this improved steadily as healing progressed.
By the second and third weeks, most of the bruising had resolved and the swelling began to subside more noticeably. Around the three- to four-month mark, the results started to appear significantly more natural and settled. The facial swelling had reduced substantially by that stage, and the forehead itself no longer had the typical “post-surgical” appearance common early in recovery.
One concern I had beforehand was scarring. In my case, however, the scar healed considerably better than I had anticipated. Initially there was visible redness, but over time it faded gradually and blended much more naturally into the hairline. I also tend to wear my hair slightly forward rather than fully swept back, so in everyday life the scar is very easy to conceal. Even in less controlled lighting or windy conditions, it is not something that particularly concerns me now.
At this point, 10 months post-op, everything feels entirely natural. The result does not look exaggerated or cosmetically obvious; if anything, people simply comment that I appear more balanced, refreshed, or sharper overall without immediately identifying why. That was precisely the outcome I had hoped for.
Overall, I am very pleased with the decision to undergo the procedure. The improvement is subtle enough that I still look entirely like myself, but meaningful enough to have noticeably improved both my confidence and overall satisfaction with my appearance.
Procedure: Forehead Reduction Surgery
Clinic: Ipche Plastic Surgery
Surgeon: Dr. Heo
Cost: 5.5 million won (approximately 4,000 USD)
Happy to answer any questions about my experience!