Scalp Reduction
More than half of all men and women experience hair loss in their lifetime. Every person sheds and re-grows hair on a daily basis, however, when more hairs are shed than grow back the result is hair loss. The primary cause of hair loss is genetic. Alopecia is a term used for hair loss. A scalp reduction (or alopecia reduction) is a type surgical hair restoration surgery that will remove a bald section of the scalp. The scalp is then closed together with sutures. In select patients scalp reduction can be an effective method of hair restoration. It can be done alone, or in conjunction with hair transplantation to cover any scarring and fill in thinning areas or left over bald areas. This procedure was popular in the mid 80’s early 90’s. The advantage to a scalp reduction is that it removes a large amount of bald area without the wait time needed for a hair transplant. The procedure is still done today, however surgeons tend to be more discriminatory toward which patients would benefit most.
Candidates for scalp reduction generally have excellent donor hair (hair that is genetically programmed not to fall out) on the back and sides of the scalp and good elasticity of the skin. Occasionally the skin over the scalp may be tight and a tissue expander is needed before this surgery can be done. Since the skin has the great ability to stretch under pressure, a scalp expansion is done. This is accomplished by using a tissue expander which is placed under the skin to stretch the bald area over a period of time, making the removal and closure of the scalp easier. Precautions are then taken by the surgeon to ensure the scalp is not pulled too tightly, resulting in an unnatural look. Side effects from a scalp reduction include scarring and stretchback. Stretchback occurs when the scalp “stretches back “into place. With most reductions this is minimal, however in some cases the skin may stretch back to close to the same position prior to the surgery.
Patients experiencing male pattern baldness, alopecia and burn related hair loss can achieve a desirable result with this type of hair restoration. |
