How to Have Scalp Reduction Surgery

Scalp reduction surgery is a cosmetic surgical procedure that 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. Regardless, great communication between patient and physician hair restoration specialist is essential. Read on to learn more about how to have scalp reduction surgery.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Research
• Recommendations
• Money

1. Understand that the most essential element, after you have made your decision to actually have the surgery, is to be sure you choose the best possible surgeon. Remember this is major surgery that will make significantly change your appearance and will require recovery.
2. Ask the important questions. Are you a good patient for scalp reduction surgery? Good candidates are patients with excellent donor hair on the sides and back of the scalp that can be stretched upward to cover areas of excised bald scalp. A good supply of donor hair is also needed to provide donor grafts for any supplementary hair transplantation. Here's what to consider: Physical condition, as the patient should be in good general health and have no medical conditions that would rule out a surgical procedure. Degree and pattern of hair loss is also important. In general, the best candidate has a large area of scalp baldness and an adequate supply of good-quality donor hair on the sides and back of the scalp. You must consider the rapidity of the balding process. Will you need more hair and scalp treatments? If you undergo this treatment, you must face the fact that you may have to have follow-up surgeries. Those who have a tight scalp or scalp skin that is not stretchy are not good candidates. A substantial degree of scalp skin laxity is required to make the procedure work well. What do you want hair restoration to accomplish? Discuss openly and thoroughly with your doctor.
3. Keep in mind that scalp reduction surgery removes bald scalp, and stretches hair-bearing scalp upward to replace bald scalp that has been removed. It can be a very effective method of hair restoration when performed by a skilled and experienced physician hair restoration specialist. The surgery may be performed as the only hair restoration procedure desired by the patient, in combination with hair transplantation to achieve a desired aesthetic effect, or occasionally in combination with the aesthetic surgical procedure called brow lifting to remove frown lines from the forehead and crow's feet from around the eyes.
4. Have a better understanding of the procedure. 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 (and, as mentioned above, the scalp skin must be somewhat loose to work).
5. Learn about post surgery procedures. The doctor will give you antibiotics to prevent infection and pain. Many find that the over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol) works well after surgery and do not require stronger medication. After surgery, a bandage is put on overnight. to protect the flap, minimize swelling and absorb drainage. A few drops of blood may appear on the gauze and that is normal. If it is 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 seven to 10 days.You can gently wash your hair after a few days. Most people return to work at this point, if they haven't already. In six weeks, if you didn't have it done during the scalp reduction surgery, you can have the hair transplant surgery.

Tips & Warnings

• Once the scalp is reduced, hair transplants may be needed to cover remaining bald areas.
• Scalp reduction surgery does not stop hair loss, and as mentioned above -- in what you should have discussed in your pre-surgery consultation, hair loss continues as it would without the surgery, but usually the effects of scalp reduction surgery will last five to 10 years or more.
• Careful planning and expert surgical skills are required to achieve good results in alopecia reduction. Complications are uncommon but there can be postoperative complications such as scarring at the suture lines, "stretch back" of scalp skin at the excised bald area, and a central midline scar called a slot deformity.
• Side effects of scalp reduction surgery include temporary discomfort, swelling and numbness in the operated area.