What is a prominent brow ridge?
A prominent brow ridge is a strong, protruding frontal bone. The frontal bone sits just above the eyes, giving the “brow ridge” its name, as it’s right beneath the hair of the brow. Also known as the Neanderthal brow ridge, the prominent brow ridge is known for its strong protrusions, which resemble the brow of a Neanderthal (and for some members of the population, even comes from the now extinct Neanderthal). A prominent brow ridge is often paired with a sloped forehead, which makes the brow ridge look even bigger than it already is. The prominent brow ridge is also known as the supraorbital ridge. The prominent brow ridge is a normal genetic trait and isn’t typically associated with any medical conditions. While it’s perfectly normal, some people do minimize them with surgical and non-surgical procedures. A prominent brow ridge is more common in men than in women.
Causes of Prominent Brow Ridges
Natural forehead formation The size of the frontal bone and frontal sinus are some of the biggest determining factors when it comes to whether or not the brow ridges are prominent. Located just behind the frontal bone, the frontal sinus develops during your childhood and teen years, alongside the frontal bone. If the two grow large enough, they can start to protrude outward, causing the prominent brow ridge.
Testosterone As you hit puberty and your testosterone levels increase, it can lead to increased bone density, especially among males. This increased bone density often leads to the thicker, more robust bones, especially in the brow ridge, creating the prominent brow ridge that brought you to this article. The prominent brow ridge tends to develop between puberty and early adulthood, and is more common in men than in women.
Genetics Not only do people with parents who have a prominent brow ridge get it passed down through genetics, but people with Neanderthal DNA in their bloodline also have a good chance at getting the trait down. When Neanderthals and humans roamed the earth together, they interbred. This interbreeding led to many modern-day humans having a bit of Neanderthal DNA within them (1-2% of DNA to be exact). The interbreeding primarily occurred in the European and Asian regions, meaning non-Africans are the ones who carry Neanderthal DNA. Just because you have a prominent brow ridge doesn’t mean you have Neanderthal DNA. Your family members may just have larger frontal bones and frontal sinuses than the average person.
Is a prominent brow ridge attractive?
Yes, a prominent brow ridge is considered attractive by many people. The prominent brow ridge is a physical trait that many people love! Attractiveness is subjective, which means that different people find different things attractive. What may seem like a unique difference to some is a beautiful, stunning facial addition to others. There are plenty of people out there who think it’s the most attractive thing they’ve ever seen (even if you haven’t met them). A prominent brow ridge is actually a sign of masculinity and strength for some people! If you’re a woman with a prominent brow ridge, this doesn’t mean you look masculine, however. Many beautiful women have prominent brow ridges, including Cara Delevingne, Emma Watson, and Rita Ora.
How to Minimize Your Prominent Brow Ridge
Use makeup to contour your brows and make them look smaller. Contouring makes certain parts of the face darker and other parts lighter, which can create the illusion of shadow and light. Apply a light concealer or powder on the brow bone and a darker contour shade just below it to create a shadow. Apply a subtle highlighter to the highest point of your brow bone, and use a lighter concealer to create a more sculpted effect.
Opt for a hairstyle that covers your brow ridge, like bangs. Professional hair stylist Courtney Foster says that bangs are a great way to make the forehead look smaller. As long as they’re long enough to drape over your brow, bangs can minimize your prominent brow ridge as well, hiding it from view and drawing attention away from the protruding look.
Consider a brow bone reduction for a more permanent solution. Brow bone reduction is a surgical procedure that involves shaving down the brow bone to your preferred size. This invasive procedure comes with a fair share of risks, though, if not done by a licensed surgeon with a history of successful brow bone reductions. These risks include infection, bleeding, and frontal sinus complications, so tread lightly if you’re considering this one.
Taking Pride In Your Prominent Brow Ridge
Don’t let people’s comments influence the way you see yourself. Since your facial structure is a bit different from other people’s, they may want to bother you or call out your differences. While this isn’t something you can control, you can control how you respond to their comments. Rather than letting them impact how you see yourself, brush the comments off and remember that just because you’re different doesn’t mean that you’re unattractive or that there’s something wrong with you.
Take pride in the fact that you’re living proof of history! While not always the case, if you have a prominent brow ridge, there’s a chance you have some Neanderthal DNA. How cool is that? You might just be living, walking proof of the historical relationship between homo-sapiens (modern humans) and Neanderthals. Instead of being self-conscious about your prominent brow ridge, wear it with pride, as you’re showing off a piece of history!
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