Scalp reduction
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Scalp reduction is a surgical procedure in which the hairless region of the scalp of a bald person is reduced. This procedure can reduce the area of the scalp in which hair transplantation is needed or even eliminate the need for hair transplantation.{{cite journal |last=Bell |first=M. L. |date=February 1982 |title=Role of scalp reduction in the treatment of male pattern baldness |journal=Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |volume=69 |issue=2 |pages=272–7 |doi= 10.1097/00006534-198202000-00016|pmid=7054796|s2cid=20731930 }}{{cite book |last1=Unger |first1=Martin G. |last2=Toscani |first2=Marco |year=2016 |chapter=Scalp reduction |editor1-last=Scuderi |editor1-first=Nicolò |editor2-last=Toth |editor2-first=Bryant A. |title=International Textbook of Aesthetic Surgery |chapter-url=https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783662465981 |publisher=Springer |pages=555–556 |doi=10.1007/978-3-662-46599-8 |isbn=978-3-662-46598-1 |access-date=7 December 2016 }}
History
Scalp reduction became very popular starting in the 1960s and, by the 1980s, was considered one of the most effective treatments for baldness.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} It is not commonly performed today, with around 5,000 men per year receiving hair transplantation{{Cite web|url=https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=colu91149&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fretrieve.do%3FtabID%3DReference%26resultListType%3DRESULT_LIST%26searchResultsType%3DMultiTab%26searchType%3DBasicSearchForm%26currentPosition%3D2%26docId%3DGALE%7Ccx3199500229%26doctype%3DTopic%2Boverview%26sort%3DRelevance%26contentSegment%3D9781573027410%26prodId%3DHWRC%26contentSet%3DGALE%7Ccx3199500229%26searchid%3DR1%26userGroupName%3Dcolu91149%26inPS%3Dtrue&prodId=HWRC|title = Gale - Institution Finder}} instead of a full scalp reduction surgery.{{Cite web|url=https://www.skinexamine.com/scalp-reduction-surgery/|title=Scalp Reduction Surgery: Recovery, Risks, Causes & Remedies|date=2018-08-09|website=Skin Examine|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-07}} Scalp reduction may reduce the size of bald spots and treat baldness. The surgery can typically take 2–3 hours with around 250 hair grafts, with cases of severe baldness involving around 1,000 hair grafts.
Candidates for surgery
After care
- Do not use cheap shampoo or conditioner
- Do not comb or brush the scalp
- Listen to doctors instructions
- Keep scalp moisturized
- Stay out of direct sunlight
- Do not pull the skin
Risks
- Swelling
- Bleeding around skin flaps that were stretched
- Numbness and throbbing
- Rare case of infection
- Temporary hair loss
- Lack of blood flow and oxygen to the scalp tissue
- Scalp thinning
- Rare case of scarring
- Grafted area may not look as expected{{Cite web|url=https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=colu91149&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fretrieve.do%3FtabID%3DReference%26resultListType%3DRESULT_LIST%26searchResultsType%3DMultiTab%26searchType%3DBasicSearchForm%26currentPosition%3D2%26docId%3DGALE%257CCX3199500229%26docType%3DTopic%2Boverview%26sort%3DRelevance%26contentSegment%3D9781573027410%26prodId%3DHWRC%26contentSet%3DGALE%257CCX3199500229%26searchId%3DR11%26userGroupName%3Dcolu91149%26inPS%3Dtrue%26prodId%3DHWRC&prodId=HWRC|title=Gale - Product Login|website=galeapps.gale.com}}
Associated cost
Pricing varies depending on the severity of the baldness. A straightforward scalp reduction procedure can cost over $2,000,{{Cite web|url=https://www.consultingroom.com/Treatment/Scalp-Reduction-Surgery-Hair-Loss|title=Scalp Reduction Surgery For Hair Loss|last=Huxley|first=Dan|website=Consulting Room|language=en|access-date=2019-05-14}} with over $4,000 for a mild case, and up to $20,000 for a severe case of hair loss.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
= Health insurance =
Health insurance will not pay for any type of hair loss surgery for cosmetic reasons, but they may elect to pay if the hair loss is caused by alopecia areata,{{CN|date=February 2025}} accidents, or burns. Many offices offer payment plans to cover the surgery.
Surgeons
Scalp reduction surgery is performed by a physician trained in plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery or dermatology. The surgery is performed in a hospital, outpatient office setting.
Alternatives
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- Wig
- Oral medication
- Lotion that contains prescription
Some recommend using lotions as a treatment for baldness before considering scalp reduction surgery.
= Non-surgical hair restoration =
{{unreferenced section|date=February 2025}}
Low-level laser therapy can act as a form of non-surgical hair restoration, using laser light to stimulate follicles on the scalp. This process not only makes hair grow but also thickens the hair, which can increase its appearance.
Hair loss
=Non scarring=
- Alopecia areata
- Psoriasis
=Scarring hair loss=
=Genetic causes=
- Male pattern hair loss
- Female pattern hair loss
- 20% of alopecia areata cases are thought to be transferred by genetics
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.hairmedico.com/hair-transplant-travel-to-istanbul-turkey/ Hair Transplant]