Scalp Tissue Expansion
Scalp tissue expansion is a procedure which encourages the growth of new skin cells to eventually be pulled and placed over the bald area.
To achieve hair growth a balloon-like material called a 'tissue expander' is slipped underneath a hair-bearing sample of the scalp and then inserted directly beside the area of thinning or baldness. Over time, usually a period of weeks, a salt-water substance is gradually inserted into the balloon causing the surrounding skin to expand and grow new cells. After about two months the skin beneath is stretched enough to be pulled over to cover the bald spot. The benefit to tissue expansion is that it offers considerable coverage in a short time. Sometimes a general anesthetic is required.
This scalp tissue expansion procedure is often applied in reconstructive surgery and performed by plastic surgeons in instances of burn scarring or to disguise other injury-related evidence of skin loss.
