Choosing to repair a previous hair transplant can be a big step for some patients, although once taken, can be extremely gratifying. As hair transplant techniques have improved over the years, along with technology utilized in the procedure, so has the quality that has been available to patients seeking a hair transplant procedure. Therefore, reparative procedures can increase the natural appearance of previous to repair previous, sometimes inferior results. For many patients, the result of the initial hair restoration is a “pluggy” look. Should the patient choose, the old hair plugs can be completely removed, and a new procedure can be performed utilizing the latest methods of treatment that were previously unavailable.
There are many treatment options currently available for patients seeking revision hair transplantation. The first is Surgical Hairline Excision, which involves removal of a portion, if not the entire frontal hairline to begin anew. The scalp is then sutured back together through plastic surgery. Tissue expansion is another method used in some cases where the skin of the scalp has become tight and must be stretched out so that the entirety of the scar that has formed from the previous surgery can be excised. Another option is Endoscopic Ridge Reduction, a method personally developed by Dr. Epstein, which was designed to remove the ridging (thick tissue) commonly found along the hairline where plug grafts where inserted previously. Like the Surgical Hairline Excision, the Endoscopic Ridge Reduction is a very simple procedure with a quick recovery time of about 2 to 3 days. The Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) technique is a common transplantation choice for old hair plug repairs. This technique involves planting additional hair grafts into the areas that have become devoid of hair through the use of older, less efficient techniques in hair restoration. FUE is a great option for patients who wish to wear their hair short or shaved as it is an incision-less process. As advances continue in medical science, patients of Dr. Epstein can continue to reap the benefits of new technologies that will allow them to return to a more youthful appearance while maintaining a natural aesthetic. Contact Dr. Epstein to setup your free consultation.