Prominent Brow Ridges Explained (Plus, How to Minimize Them)

Learn all about this facial feature’s ancient origins

Co-authored by Daniel Barrett, MD and Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: October 1, 2025 Fact Checked

What is a prominent brow ridge?

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Causes

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Is it attractive?

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How to Minimize It

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How to Accept It

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Video

A prominent brow ridge is a large bony ridge that sits just about the eye socket. For some, it’s an eyesore, but for others, it’s extremely attractive. It doesn’t matter which side of the aisle you’re on, if you landed here, you’re in the right place. In this article, we explain what a prominent brow ridge is, what causes it, and even dig into minimizing (or accepting) your big brow ridge. Read on to learn all about the prominent brow ridge (including its ancient origins).

Prominent Brow Ridge: A Brief Overview

A prominent brow ridge is a strong, protruding frontal bone, which sits right on the brow. The prominent brow ridge is caused by genetics, the size of your frontal bone and frontal sinus, age, and evolutionary factors. It is also known as the supraorbital ridge and Neanderthal brow ridge.

Section 1 of 5:

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.^{[1]
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Research source} In humans, there are two ridges (one for each eye). 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.

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Causes of Prominent Brow Ridges

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.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source

National Cancer Institute
An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support

Go to source} If the two grow large enough, they can start to protrude outward, causing the prominent brow ridge.
As you get older 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.^{[3]
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Research source}
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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).^{[4]
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Research source}
- 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.

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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 weird 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!

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How to Minimize Your Prominent Brow Ridge

Contouring makes certain parts of the face darker and other parts lighter, which can create the illusion of shadow and light. Contour your brow to create the illusion of a shadow on the upper or lower half of the brow. By doing so, you can make the brow appear smaller and less prominent.
Professional hair stylist Courtney Foster says that bangs are a great way to make the forehead look smaller.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview} 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.
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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.^{[6]
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Research source} 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.
- According to board-certified plastic surgeon Daniel Barrett, MD, “Surgery [is to] be performed by a board-certified anesthesiologist. And this surgery should be done in an accredited healthcare ambulatory surgery center.”^{[7]
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  Expert Source
  
  Daniel Barrett, MD
  Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
  
  Expert Interview}

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Taking Pride Your Prominent Brow Ridge

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.
Who else can say that they have Neanderthal DNA in them? Although it’s not much, the fact that you have a prominent brow ridge means that you are 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!