Scalp Tissue Expansion

Learn about scalp tissue expansion defects and more

Scalp tissue expansion is a delicate surgical procedure in which a balloon-like material is inserted under healthy hair-growing scalp tissue. The material expands and stretches the tissue that produces hair, which is then moved onto areas where hair is lost or thinning. The scalp tissue expansion procedure is a timely effort that can take up to a couple of months to complete. The procedure is typically only used on patients who have lost their hair due to injury or burns, since the process of creating scalp tissue expansion skin flaps can be a complicated cosmetic surgery.

Scalp tissue expansion for alopecia isn't a common procedure, unless the alopecia is the result of injury, simply because the surgery is typically used to disguise damaged skin which can't be treated with another, less invasive surgery such as hair implants.

Scalp Tissue Expansion for Defects

Scalp tissue expansion for defects is a reliable and typically very successful solution to hair loss caused by burns, injury or treatment of some illnesses. The surgery has even been used in the case of children born with scalp defects. It's particularly effective for patients who have experienced large amounts of hair loss.

However, you must keep in mind that scalp tissue expansion is a serious cosmetic surgery that should only be undertaken by an experienced professional. Even more so than is found with other hair loss treatments, such as hair implants or laser hair transplants, there can be lasting effects to having this surgery and, as such, you need to make sure that the surgeon you're working with can produce the results you want.

Scalp Tissue Expansion Infection

As the procedure is a major surgery, it's possible to run into complications such as scalp tissue expansion infection and scalp tissue expansion scarring. Both of these conditions can have serious effects on your health and on the cosmetic results of the surgery. Infection and scarring can result when the scalp flap is improperly set, which may leave hair growing unevenly or not at all. It's important to seek out an experienced professional when you're considering scalp tissue expansion, and it's also vital that you follow your doctor's directions following the surgery.