Hair Restoration - Scarred Scalp
Hair Restoration in the Scarred Scalp Overview
Although many patients who pursue the options presented by hair restoration procedures are simply looking to make cosmetic improvements to their overall look, there are many patients who have suffered scarring either from trauma or a previous surgery, and these patients also need help. An overview of this procedure can be found below, but for answers to specific questions, contact a cosmetic surgeon today for a consultation.
Background of Hair Restoration
The background of hair restoration surgeries dates back to the 19th Century, and there were also advances made in Japan in the 1930Õs. However, due to the onset of World War II, additional advances were not made until the 1950Õs, but since then these procedures have experienced incredible improvements in every respect.
Best Candidates for Hair Restoration
The best candidates for hair restoration in the scarred scalp are quite obviously those people who have suffered from significant scarring in the scalp area. These patients should also be in generally good physical and psychological health and will understand and have realistic expectations in regards to the results of these procedures.
Uncertainty and Risk of Hair Restoration
As is the case with any surgery, there is an element of uncertainty and risk to consider, although in statistical terms these risks are minimal in nature. Common complications that can arise with any surgery include swelling, infection and bleeding in the affected area. Specific to this procedure, complications can include a stretching of the scalp and/or patchy hair growth in the areas that are transplanted with new hair-growing tissue.
Planning for Hair Restoration Surgery
Planning for surgery involves making sure that all of the often-overlooked aspects of your surgery are properly handled. For instance, you need to make sure that you have enough time away from your routine following the procedure to properly recover. YouÕll also need to arrange for a ride home after the procedure so that you can get right into your recovery phase.
Preparing for Surgery
Preparing for surgery involves several steps that are specific to your situation, and these preparatory steps are provided by your doctor. Common preparatory steps include making sure that your alcohol intake is minimized and controlled before and after surgery, and if youÕre a smoker, youÕll most likely need to stop for a period of time surrounding the procedure.
Where Hair Restoration Surgery is Performed
Where surgery is performed is an issue that depends on your doctorÕs normal course of practice. Generally speaking, these procedures are performed either at an outpatient care facility or even at the doctorÕs office if itÕs equipped to handle such procedures.
How Surgery is Performed
How surgery is performed really depends on the type of scarring youÕve experienced. Depending on the prevalence of this scarring, your doctor may choose to perform a graft-type procedure and move a patch of scalp to another area. If the scarring is limited to a certain area, follicle transplants may be the best strategy.
Anesthesia
These procedures, relatively speaking, are minimally invasive, which means that in most situations, your doctor will administer only localized anesthesia. What this means is that youÕll be awake during the surgery, but you wonÕt feel any pain. You will feel some tightness and tugging, but you will be comfortable as the surgery is performed.
Post-Op Considerations for Hair Restoration Surgery
Post-op considerations in regards to this procedure once again depend on the extent of the scarring thatÕs being covered or removed. Generally speaking, however, you should be ready to experience some discomfort and even some itching, but these conditions are usually handled capably with medication.
Hair Restoration in the Scarred Scalp Candidacy
If you are suffering from the effects of scarring on your scalp, you need to take a look at all of your options. Surgery is definitely an alternative, but before you can make a decision on whether or not to proceed, you first need to understand if you would be a good fit for this plan of attack.
As such, patients generally have three questions that are most common in relation to this issue, and they are, ÒHow can I tell if IÕm a good candidate for hair restoration in the scarred scalp?Ó, ÒHow will I be evaluated for hair restoration in the scarred scalp?Ó and ÒWill my insurance help offset the costs of surgery?Ó Each of these questions is answered below.
How can I tell if IÕm a good candidate for hair restoration in the scarred scalp?
There are several factors that will determine whether or not youÕre a good candidate for this procedure. First, and most obviously, you need to be suffering from the effects of scarring on your scalp. You also need to have a degree of elasticity in your scalp to allow for adjustments to be made, and you need to be in otherwise good physical and psychological health.
How will I be evaluated for hair restoration in the scarred scalp?
Your evaluation for this procedure will be thorough and complete in order to ensure the best possible result. The first step will involve an analysis of your full medical history to make sure that there are no potential underlying issues that could complicate the result. Your scalp and the degree of your scarring will also be examined to determine the best surgical strategy.
Will my insurance help offset the costs of surgery?
Generally speaking, insurance carriers will not cover procedures that are deemed ÒelectiveÓ in nature. However, whether or not your scarring and the necessary repairs to this scarring would be considered ÒelectiveÓ or medically necessary, in which case a procedure generally would be covered, is a question of fact to be decided by your carrier.
The best way to proceed is to consult with your doctor regarding the necessity of this procedure. At that point, you should request coverage from your provider, and you should also document any and all communication in regards to this issue in order to avoid any confusion after the procedure is complete.
Overall, three of the most common questions prospective patients have in regards to this surgery are, ÒHow can I tell if IÕm a good candidate for hair restoration in the scarred scalp?Ó, ÒHow will I be evaluated for hair restoration in the scarred scalp?Ó and ÒWill my insurance help offset the costs of surgery?Ó For specific answers to these questions, you need to contact an experienced cosmetic surgeon for a full examination of your situation.
Hair Restoration in the Scarred Scalp Surgery Specifics
Generally speaking, the more you know about the particulars of any surgery youÕre thinking of having done, the more confident your approach to this surgery will be. Mental state is an important factor in your overall success rate, which is why a high degree of knowledge can be critically important.
In regards to the specifics of this procedure, three extremely common questions patients ask include, ÒWhere are incisions placed for hair restoration in the scarred scalp surgery?Ó, ÒWhat are some variations to the common hair restoration in the scarred scalp method?Ó and ÒWhat are some of the risks associated with hair restoration in the scarred scalp surgery?Ó General answers to these questions are provided below.
Where are incisions placed for hair restoration in the scarred scalp surgery?
The answer to this question depends on the type of scarring thatÕs being removed. If the scarring can be concealed simply by placing hair follicles over the affected area, no central incision will be needed. However, in the case of a deep scar that needs to be grafted, the incision will be placed around the scar itself for removal.
What are some variations to the common hair restoration in the scarred scalp method?
There are inherent variations to the surgical method, and the variations used will depend on the particular situation with the patient. If a grafting procedure will be necessary to conceal or remove a deep scalp scar, doctors will cut incisions along the scar. If the scarring is relatively minor, the doctors will simply implant follicles in an attempt to make the scar less visible.
What are some of the risks associated with hair restoration in the scarred scalp surgery?
There are risks involved with any surgical procedure, and the nature of these risks are both general and specific. General risks include such complications as swelling, bleeding and/or infections. Risks specific to this procedure include stretching of the scalp, failure of the implanted hair to grow properly and excessive itching which can also lead to infections.
Overall, three of the most common questions in regards to the specifics of this procedure include, ÒWhere are incisions placed for hair restoration in the scarred scalp surgery?Ó, ÒWhat are some variations to the common hair restoration in the scarred scalp method?Ó and ÒWhat are some of the risks associated with hair restoration in the scarred scalp surgery?Ó If youÕd like to have your personal situation examined in regards to these or any other questions, the best way to proceed is to speak with an experienced cosmetic surgeon.
Hair Restoration in the Scarred Scalp Surgery - Preparation and Recovery
Two critical components of any surgical procedure are the preparation and recovery periods. If either of these is not properly handled, the overall success of the surgery could suffer needlessly.
Patients generally formulate questions in regards to these components, and examples of the most common include, ÒWhat steps should I take to prepare for surgery?Ó, ÒWhat can I expect the day of surgery to be like?Ó, ÒHow will I look and feel immediately following the surgery?Ó, ÒWhen can I pursue my normal activities again?Ó and ÒHow long can I expect results to last?Ó Answers to these questions are provided below.
What steps should I take to prepare for surgery?
Your steps for properly preparing for this surgery will be provided by your doctor. Specifically, these steps will most likely include guidelines regarding getting the proper amount of rest before your procedure, managing your diet properly, limiting your alcohol intake and the cessation of smoking for a period of time both before and after the procedure.
What can I expect the day of surgery to be like?
You can expect the day of your surgery to be exciting, but you will also experience a wide range of emotions, which is common with any patient as he or she approaches any surgical procedure. For instance, you will probably experience feelings of excitement, anxiety, perhaps a bit of fear and jubilation. The day itself will pass by quickly, and before you know it, youÕll be recovering in the comfort of your own home.
How will I look and feel immediately following the surgery?
You should expect to be sore for a short period of time after your surgery, and you will also likely feel some tightness in your scalp. You will probably need to wear a bandage for a few days afterwards, and you may also feel some itchiness on your scalp. However, the amount of discomfort you will feel should be minimal in nature.
When can I pursue my normal activities again?
In regards to returning to work and other non-strenuous activities, you shouldnÕt have to rest for more than a few days. However, if you are a person who tends to be extremely physically active, youÕll need to hold off on running, weight lifting or other activities of the like for a few weeks. The specific timeframe will depend on several factors, so ask your doctor to provide recommendations.
How long can I expect results to last?
Although there is no specific timetable for the duration of the positive effects of your surgery, you can reasonably expect years of benefits from having your scars concealed. You may need to report back to the doctor in the future for an adjustment or Òtouch upÓ procedure, but most patients have reported an extremely high level of satisfaction with the results of the procedure.
Overall, examples of common questions regarding the preparation for and recovery from this scar removal surgery include, ÒWhat steps should I take to prepare for surgery?Ó, ÒWhat can I expect the day of surgery to be like?Ó, ÒHow will I look and feel immediately following the surgery?Ó, ÒWhen can I pursue my normal activities again?Ó and ÒHow long can I expect results to last?Ó Although general answers to these questions have been provided, you need to get in touch with an experienced cosmetic surgeon for an individualized set of answers and recommendations in regards to your situation.