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PATIENT OPTIONS
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Scalp Reduction Surgery |
Scalp Reduction Surgery is a means of reducing the bald of thinning regions of the scalp. Individuals who benefit from this form of surgery are only those, who are the best candidates for total hair restoration surgery. There is a complex formula involved in determining the best candidates for full restoration, which typically requires a consultation.
Key Benefits
- Scalp reductions improve the potential for full coverage.
- Scalp reductions result in no lost hairs. Donor harvesting and graft preparation result in hair loss between 2 and 1 to 5% in our hands. The majority of physicians have a have loss of 20 to 30% with each procedure.
- In every grafting procedure there is the potential for some grafted hairs to not grow. Furthermore, the benefits are immediate with scalp reductions. With transplants the hair growth is delayed up to 1 year.
N Negative Aspects
- Scalp reductions leave a visible scar in the bare or exposed regions of the bald scalp
- Scalp reductions have a potential to leave an indentation in the skin. This indentation surrounds the scar line and is in the bald region of the scalp.
- If the scalp is reduced too far, the hair has a tendency to part like the red sea. This parting cannot be grafted. The patient must undergo a double or triple flap in the bald area, which is a separate surgical procedure and is not without significant risks such as permanent scarring and loss of hair. If the reductions and flaps are successful however, the patient has the potential to "hit a home run" from their transplant.
- Perhaps the most significant negative is the risk for stretch back. Depending on the physician and the study you read this stretch back may approach 50% of your initial gain.
- The midline elliptical reduction results in an elongation of the bald area. Therefore, it is not as efficient as one might hope for.
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