Scalp Reductions
What they are
| Benefits | Candidates
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Dr. Panagotacos performs a scalp
reduction procedure and
allows it to heal, before placing full size grafts on
top,
and micro grafts at the hairline:
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Before
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The area to be removed is marked and
measured
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About 2 months later
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Full size grafts go on top, and micrografts
at the hairline
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What
Scalp Reductions Are
Bald scalp removal: Bald scalp reductions are surgical
procedures in which a loose patch of bald scalp is removed,
and the adjacent hairy scalp is pulled together and sutured
to close the opening. The effect is an immediate reduction of
baldness, and an increase in the hairy area. This was a popular
procedure from about 1978 t0 1990.
Several procedures: To achieve adequate results, several
simple reduction procedures are usually performed, over 3-4
month intervals. The number of procedures performed depends
upon the amount of bald area to be removed and the looseness
of the scalp, which partially determines how much bald scalp
can be removed during each procedure. With each s uccessive
procedure, the fine scar remaining from the previous procedure
is removed along with more bald scalp. This way there is only
a single scar.
Concluded with transplants: A series of reductions are
almost always concluded with hair transplant procedures, which
can achieve greater hair density after the bald area has been
substantially reduced. The fine scar remaining from the last
reduction procedure is covered by the mini and micro graft transplants.
Local anesthetic: During simple reduction procedures,
the scalp is numbed with local anesthetic medication and the
patient is awake during the entire procedure.
Benefits
of Scalp Reductions
Rapid baldness reduction: The main benefit of simple
scalp reductions is that the procedure rapidly reduces, and
after several procedures substantially eliminates, baldness.
This procedure is primarily used today to remove bald skin along
with old, large sized grafts from the top and back of the crown.
The old grafts are then made into follicular unit micrografts,
and are placed back into the patient's scalp.
Better transplantation candidates: Reductions can allow
those with substantial hair loss who had not previously been
considered good candidates for hair transplantation procedures
to become better candidates. The reduced baldness from reductions
means that less bald area needs to be covered by transplants.
Usually reductions are performed for those seeking to
become better transplantation candidates. Transplants
are performed after most reduction procedures. At the very least,
transplants effectively camouflage the fine line scar from the
last reduction in a series of procedures. Typically, mini and
micro grafting procedures are the transplantation treatment
selected. These small individual grafts have a more natural
appearance, even when limited donor material reduces hair follicle
density.
High success: Simple scalp reductions are rapidly performed
and highly successful procedures, with a low risk of surgical
complications occurring. Typically an entire procedure takes
1-2 hours.
Candidates for Scalp Reductions
Permanent hair loss: The best candidates for scalp
reductions are men with a clear bald spot, around previously placed
large grafts done years before.
Repair trauma: Scalp reduction procedures may also be
used to repair the appearance of a pe rson 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.
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