Generally about the treatment
Approximately 2 in 3 men will experience hair loss sooner or later in their life. The condition is often caused by a sensitivity to the male hormone DHT. Hair loss can happen to women as well, but it's a condition most commonly seen among men.
A scalp reduction can help to minimise the balding area on the head, and is often carried out in combination with a hair transplant.
Suitability
Fit and healthy men and women over the age of 18, who suffer from natural hair loss can be suited for a scalp reduction.
A scalp reduction is only suited for those, who are losing their hair on the top/and or front of the head. It's also important to have donor hairs on a different area of the head.
The procedure
A scalp reduction is carried out by removing the balding part of the scalp, after which the part of the head that's still growing hairs is stretched, in order to move the hairline forward.
The extent of the surgery depends on the patient's individual situation.
Anaesthesia
The treatment is carried out under local anaesthesia.
Side-effects
Throughout the first couple of days, the patient will experience light pains in the treated area, and the skin can feel very tight.
Risk of complications
There is a risk of an asymmetric result.
There is a risk of side effects from the anaesthetic used, along with bleeding, poor wound healing, a poor cosmetic result, and blood accumulation.
No form of surgery is risk free, although severe complications are very rare.
Healing and recovery
Most patients will be able to leave the hospital on the same day and may also resume work only a few days after the surgery.
After six weeks or so, it will become possible to have a hair transplant if desired.
Duration of the result
A scalp reduction doesn't prevent further hair loss and is therefore not permanent. The result will, however, last for 5-10 years.