Reshaping your head's bone structure significantly after childhood is impossible without surgery. However, some adjustments are possible depending on your goals and concerns.
Surgical Options for Head Reshaping
For adults unhappy with their skull shape, surgical intervention offers the most effective solution. These procedures can address various concerns:
- Skull Reshaping: This involves reshaping the outer layers of the skull (burring) or inserting implants to improve the overall shape. Deschamps-Braly notes this procedure is available for adults, children, and teens. Line Plastic Surgery Center specifically mentions occipital (back of the head) reshaping using MMA implants.
- Fat Transfer: Minor irregularities can be addressed through fat transfer procedures.
Non-Surgical Options and Considerations
While major head reshaping isn't possible without surgery, some minor adjustments might be achieved:
- Postural Habits: Head shape can change slightly due to postural habits. Changes in posture may influence the shape of the skull in the long term by changing muscular pull and subtle bone movements. (r/orthotropics)
- Infant Head Shaping: For infants, repositioning and holding techniques can help address uneven head shapes (plagiocephaly). Mayo Clinic recommends these strategies. However, this relates to the malleable skulls of infants.
Important Note: Attempting to reshape your skull through self-applied pressure is ineffective and potentially harmful. The skull's sutures harden in early life, making it resistant to changes through external force. (Quora)
Choosing the Right Approach
If you're concerned about your head shape, consulting a qualified plastic surgeon or craniofacial specialist is crucial. They can assess your specific situation, determine the feasibility of different options, and guide you toward the most appropriate approach. The surgeon can address specific concerns about size (Eppley Plastic Surgery), shape (Dr. Barry L. Eppley), or other issues.
