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Home > Hair Loss > Hair Loss Treatment Solution > Hair Loss Surgery
Scalp Reduction Surgery to Treatment Hair Loss
Scalp Reduction Surgery
Procedure with Illustrate
Costs of Scalp Reduction
Surgery
Scalp Reduction Surgery Risks or Side Effects
How to prepare for
Scalp Reduction Surgery?
Are there alternatives to Scalp Reduction Surgery?
Are you a good candidate?
Scalp Reduction Surgery
Procedure
Though once quite popular, scalp reductions are
rarely performed anymore. Dr. Epstein continues to
see patients who have had these procedures, and
repairs the scarring and hairline distortion that
frequently are seen with these procedures.
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1. Bald
scalp within the dotted lines is excised,
and the scalp edges are stitched in place.
2.
Potential
results after one or two scalp reductions.
Further reductions may be done.
3. Hair
grafts fill in the remaining bald area,
creating a natural appearance.
Costs of Scalp Reduction
Surgery
A scalp reduction can cost anywhere from
$1,500 - $3,500 but this varies from surgeon to
surgeon and according to where they practice. There
may be additional costs such as anesthesia,
operating room facility, prescription medicines,
etc.
Scalp Reduction Surgery
Risks or Side Effects
As with all surgeries, there is always a possibility
of complications following scalp surgery including
infection, bleeding, a reaction to the anesthesia,
hematoma, seroma, nerve damage and the occurrence of
asymmetries or irregularities. Scalp reduction
patients may develop slot deformity, an unnatural
appearing dent in the scalp.
Are you a good
candidate?
The best candidates for scalp reductions are men
with a clear bald spot, who also have ample hair
along the sides and back of their heads for later
transplants. Those with a clear bald spot and dense
hair along the sides and back will achieve greater
visual impact than those with less dense hair. Curly
hair will generally appear denser than straight
hair.
As with all elective surgery, good health and
realistic expectations are prerequisites, but if you
want to have fuller looking hair, then scalp
reduction surgery may be appropriate, especially if:
Your surgeon is aware of any and all medical
conditions and any allergies you may have and
whether you are a smoker. Also, tell your surgeon
about any medications, herbal supplements or natural
supplements you are taking (both prescription and
non-prescription).
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You do not suffer from severe cardiovascular problems
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You are not prone to scarring problems such as keloids
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You have a good understanding of the healing process and the limitations of the procedure.
Scalp reduction procedures may also be used to
repair the appearance of a person who has suffered a
traumatic injury to part of the scalp, for example
from an automobile accident or fire. Sometimes scalp
reductions are performed on those who suffer
chronically inflamed scalps as a result of
artificial hair implants. In these cases, the
severely damaged portion of scalp is removed, and
the adjacent scalp is pulled together and sutured to
close the opening.
How to
prepare for
Scalp Reduction Surgery?
Your doctor will give you specific instructions
to prepare for surgery but here are some general
guidelines:
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Massaging your own scalp gently a couple of times each day for several weeks before surgery will allow for greater bald scalp to be removed during a simple reduction procedure. The general pattern of the massage is to knead the scalp up.
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Avoid aspirin, any aspirin containing medication or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID), such as Motrin?or Advil? for two weeks prior to treatment. Because aspirin thins the blood, it can interfere with normal blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding and bruising.
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Smoking inhibits the healing process, so stop smoking before your procedure and if you start again, make sure it is after you are completely healed.
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Avoid drinking alcohol a few days before your surgery.
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Make sure to follow any fasting instructions the night before and morning of your surgery. Your doctor may insist on an empty stomach depending on the type of anesthesia.
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Make sure that you arrange for someone to bring you home and to help you out for 24 hours after surgery.
Are there
alternatives to Scalp Reduction Surgery?
Other methods of hair restoration include scalp
reduction and scalp flap procedures, but they do not
have the same restorative effect, especially in
terms of filling in the hairline. Alternatives to
surgery are oral medications such as Finasteride
(Systemic), sold under the brand name Propecia or
topical solutions such as Minoxidil, sold under the
brand name Rogaine. Minoxidil stimulates new hair
growth, while finasteride slows the rate of hair
loss.
