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Scalp reduction surgery can be used to
remove balding areas of skin and reduce the total area
of the scalp that needs hair replacement. This procedure
can only be done on those with loose scalps. If this
skin is already tight, then it won't be possible to
stretch it over the bald areas without the use of a
tissue expander, such as in scalp
expansion.
Unlike scalp expansion which requires
two surgeries, or scalp
flap surgery which requires three surgeries, scalp
reduction surgery occurs in one step. Up to 2 inches
of balding skin is removed, and an adjacent area of
hair-bearing scalp is stretched over it and sutured
into place.
This surgery is only effective in covering
small areas of balding scalp since the scalp cannot
typically stretch very much. For this reason, scalp
reduction surgery is often used in conjunction with
another method of hair restoration such as hair
transplant surgery, but it will reduce the number
of hair grafts that are ultimately required since there
will be less skin that needs hair.
recovery - After scalp reduction
surgery, you will have prescriptions for antibiotics
to prevent infection and pain pills to control discomfort.
Many patients do fine with acetaminophen (Tylenol) after
surgery and do not require stronger medication.
After surgery, you will wear a bandage
overnight. to protect the flap, minimize swelling, and
absorb drainage. It is normal to see a few drops of
blood on the gauze. If you notice more than a few drops,
or if the area of blood is increasing, call your doctor
right away. The dressing may be removed in one or two
days, and sutures come out after 7 to 10 days.
After about a few days, you will be allowed
to gently wash your hair. At this point, most people
return to work, if they haven't already. After about
6 weeks, you can proceed with hair transplant surgery,
if that was your ultimate plan.
risks - Scalp reduction surgery
can result in infection, scarring, or rarely, insufficient
blood supply that leads to loss of part of the flap.
cost - Scalp reduction surgery
can cost $2,000 to $10,000.
results - Once the scalp is reduced,
you may still require hair transplants to cover any
remaining bald areas. Scalp reduction surgery does not
stop hair loss, and you will continue to lose hair just
as you would have without the surgery, but usually the
effects of scalp reduction surgery will last 5 to 10
years or more.
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