This procedure allows bald scalp area to be reduced and are probably the most common hair restoration procedure besides transplants. The scalp is usually somewhat loose and the balding area may be reduced. This can be very effective for persons with midline or posterior ("monk spot"). For transplantations, most people have a limited amount of hair for transplantation and reducing the bald area reduces the hair needed for transplants. Rather than increasing the hairs available, scalp reductions reduce the amount of scalp you have to cover with transplants.
Although different physicians have different techniques, in general several reduction procedures may be needed to achieve the desired result. Since the skin will only stretch so far, several small stepwise reductions must be done. This allows the skin to stretch and grow after each reduction. Another technique is to expand the scalp before the reduction so that the entire scalp is looser and the bald area can be even further reduced.
After the scalp reduction has healed, hair transplants are implanted to cover any scarring and to achieve the desired results of the patient.
There are a few possible drawbacks to this procedure. One is that a scar is normally left after the reduction operation. Another problem is called 'slippage'. This is when the reduced skin expands somewhat and slips back down the scalp. In such cases, further reductions may be necessary. Another drawback is the possibility that the balding will advance beyond the area that was reduced and create an odd balding pattern. Further transplants and/or another reduction might be necessary to correct this. Finally, this is a more complex operation than a transplant and increases the cost of the transplant.
On the benefit side, the reduction may allow good transplant results and the appearance of a full head of hair. However, some physicians no longer perform this reductions, being of the opinion that new transplant techniques are cosmetically effective without a reduction of the scalp. |
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