Other Surgery for Hair Loss

While hair transplant surgery is the most common medical treatment of hair loss, many individuals choose an alternative type of surgery for their hair restoration needs. These alternative options can offer more effective choice, less extensive procedures, or more cost effective treatments than traditional transplant surgery.

Alternatives to Regular Hair Transplant Surgery

The three most common and effective alternatives to Hair Transplant Surgery are scalp reduction, scalp stretching, and flap surgery. These surgery techniques offer the same benefits as hair transplant surgery but can be used to treat smaller areas of Hair Loss, and hair loss that occurs farther back on the scalp.

As with any type of surgery these alternative procedures carry the same risks as hair transplant surgeries and should only be done by certified doctors who are well trained in plastic surgery techniques.

Scalp Reduction or Stretching

Scalp reduction or stretching surgery is perfect for individuals wanting treatment for the well-defined, yet small bald spots often found in the centre of the scalp. In the scalp stretching procedure, the skin of the scalp that can still effectively produce hair is stretched so that it can cover and replace the skin that is no longer capable of hair growth.

This hair loss treatment surgery begins with the insertion of a balloon like device under the healthy area of the scalp closest to the balding area. Over a predetermined period of time the balloon is filled with a salt-water solution to expand the tissue. Once the tissue has expanded sufficiently the balloon is removed and the non-functioning skin is cut away. The new, stretched skin that can produce hair is pulled to close the gap and sutured shut. After healing, the new skin will continue to produce hair and the bald spot will have been eliminated.

Scalp reduction surgery is similar to scalp stretching surgery in that both involve the replacement of non-hair producing skin. However, in scalp reduction surgery the technique is used to restore hair to the back of the head. In this procedure a local anaesthetic is injected and the skin from the balding area is cut away. Then the remaining skin is pulled tight and the wound is sutured shut. This procedure reduces the area of the scalp but leaves behind only healthy skin containing hair follicles that are in optimal condition.

Flap Surgery

For larger areas of baldness, flap surgery can be more effective than scalp stretching or reduction techniques. This procedure can be more effective than traditional hair transplant surgery because one flap can replace the same amount of hair loss as 350 individual transplants.

In this procedure, a section of the bald scalp is removed and a section of healthy scalp is lifted from the head while still remaining attached to the blood vessels. The flap is then pulled over the exposed area and sutured to the remaining skin. The procedure is done in this way to ensure that the hair follicles from the flap stay in constant contact with the blood supply in order to speed healing and promote uninterrupted hair growth.

Just like traditional hair transplant surgery these alternative techniques may not be right for everyone or for every type of hair loss condition. For more help in deciding if scalp reduction, scalp stretching, or flap surgery is right for you schedule a Consultation With Your Doctor or with a certified hair loss treatment centre.