Written By: Mansi Kohli | Published : August 2, 2017 3:56 PM IST
Scalp Tissue Expansion is one of the most novel cosmetic procedures where an external tissue expander is used in the reconstruction of scalp and forehead defects. Tissue expansion procedure makes use of a balloon tissue expander. This balloon expander is placed surgically inside the scalp. After a span of 4 to 10 weeks, the inner scalp is progressively filled with saline. It is then that the hair containing stretched tissue is used to cover over large scar area or bald areas of the scalp, providing impeccable results. Dr Sachin Chavre, Plastic surgeon at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore suggests that tissue expansion procedure is ideal for scalp repair because the stretched skin on the scalp retains normal hair growth, whereas most of the normal body tissue does not grow hair to the same degree. Let us now understand the tissue expansion procedure in detail.
Understanding tissue expander A tissue expander is a balloon-like thing made up of silicone and can be filled with saline or distilled water, which over a short period of time can be expanded up to 10 times of its capacity. With slow expansion, it increases the size of the scalp to almost four to five times
Can scalp skin be stretched? Yes, it can not only be stretched but the appendages like hair follicles can also be increased due to the stretch caused by the expansion.
Can a tissue expander create more scalp skin in order to adequately allow it to cover or stretch over a specific area or bald area? It can definitively allow it to cover or stretch over a specific area or bald area. But there are obvious limitations, like not more over the vertex (the highest point of your head) or if the area of scalp is too huge. Ideally, if the areas are frontal or temporal sides or occipital back side it is better for expansion. Generally, anything above 15-cm would require two expanders.
How exactly is tissue expander treatment done?
Here s how the procedure is performed:
How important is it to choose the right hair transplant surgeon for tissue expansion? It is imperative to choose the right team of aestheticians. One should visit a trichology team at an established and certified centre only. Ideally, a trichologist team should consist of a plastic surgeon who is an expert in transplant, a dermatologist who can give an opinion about the skin type and what would be the scalp density, an endocrinologist to rule out any hormonal problems and a psychologist for taking good care of you before and after treatment. Read more about Hair fall treatment at home 7 remedies that work!
What is its cost in India and if there are there any recurring costs? Ranging from few thousands to up to Rs. 80,000/- to Rs. 1,00,000/-, the cost of expander is dependent upon the size and company. And, there aren t any recurring costs.
Who can do this treatment? People have small area of bald patches due to various reasons, such as burns or injury during childhood, can opt for this treatment. This treatment is generally not recommended for baldness as there are different techniques to regrow the hair. But for smaller areas of bald patches, one can use this option to get good hair cover.
Which potential complications are linked with this treatment? Just like any other procedure, there are risks like infection, which should be taken care of by keeping the area dry and clean. With medicines and ointments, the risks can surely be minimised. All in all, this procedure is quite safe. Read more about Balding in females what it says about their health
How many sittings does it take to complete the procedure? It generally takes two sittings to complete the procedure.
What is its recuperation time? Anywhere around two to two-and-a-half months.
What should one expect after this surgery? The scalp would be covered with the new skin with hair on it. The best part is that the diseased or hairless skin will no more be a hindrance for you and won t irritate you. But yes, there would be a small scar line hidden in this new skin area. This is because it is a surgical procedure. Read here Stress, diabetes +3 conditions that causes balding in men
Who is not a good candidate for this treatment? Patients who can't undergo longer treatment, patients with clotting problem and very small children should not opt for tissue expansion of the scalp. This treatment is not meant to fill bigger hair loss areas, it is mostly for damaged scalp where other procedures especially non-surgical treatments wouldn't work.
What is the right age of getting this treatment done? Anyone who is about the age group of 8 years up to 80.
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