Alopecia Reduction

Alopecia Reduction also called scalp reduction is a surgical hair restoration procedure that surgically removes bald scalp and stretches hair-bearing scalp upward to replace bald scalp that has been removed.

Alopecia reduction can be a very successful approach to hair restoration. Is it right for you? A number of factors can bear upon that decision:

• Physical condition-the patient should be in good general health and have no medical conditions that would rule out a surgical procedure.
• The patient who undergoes alopecia reduction should be willing and able to have future alopecia reduction and/or hair transplantation and/or correction of surgical complications as the need arises.
• The rationale for alopecia reduction is that bald scalp can be surgically removed and hair-bearing scalp skin stretched up to cover the excised area.
• The patient's objectives-what do you, the patient, want hair restoration to accomplish? Your objectives, discussed thoroughly with the physician hair restoration specialist, will be a major factor in determining if alopecia reduction is a good option for you.

 

Alopecia Reduction and Hair Transplantation:

Alopecia reduction is often combined with hair transplantation. Hair transplantation may be combined with alopecia reduction to "fine tune" hair restoration in aesthetically sensitive areas, such as the frontal hairline that is not treated with alopecia reduction. Hair transplantation may be necessary in future years to keep pace with continued loss of hair. In younger patients, hair transplantation may be done first to restore the frontal one-third of the scalp, with alopecia reduction reserved for later years if hair loss progresses.

Alopecia Reduction Techniques:

A number of alopecia reduction techniques have been developed. No one technique is adaptable to all patients. Choice of technique is based upon considerations that may include degree of hair loss, scalp laxity, amount and quality of donor hair, and whether hair transplantation is to be a complementary procedure. Alopecia reduction technique is largely a matter of the pattern of scalp incision. The choice of technique and rationale for the choice should be discussed by patient and physician.

Before and After Alopecia Reduction:

Potential Complications and Side Effects:

• 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 alopecia reduction surgery are temporary discomfort, swelling, and numbness in the operated area.

For more details, please visit - www.hairtransplantsurgery.co.in