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Strip
Incision
Strip incision, otherwise known as strip excision, is just one of the hair transplant methods used by surgeons. It is an older method of hair restoration that was more popular before modern methods (like follicular unit extraction) existed.
When a hair transplant surgeon uses strip excision, strips of skin are surgically removed from the back of the head. Hair follicles are then cut from these strips and implanted on the balding area of the scalp.
The Strip Excision Procedure
1. The surgeon and the patient collaborate on a hairline design.
2. The donor area is prepared for the incision by trimming a narrow piece of hair.
3. The top and the back of the scalp are given a local anesthetic.
4. The surgeon uses a sharp blade to remove strips of hair-bearing skin from the donor area.
5. The surgeon stitches the donor area back together.
6. The excised skin is dissected into individual hair follicles.
7. The surgeon inserts the hair follicles into the scalp using one of the following techniques: the punch method, the slit method, and the laser method.
Post-Op – What to Expect
- A bandage might be wrapped around the patient’s head after surgery to keep the grafts in place. The bandage should be left on the head anywhere between 24 to 48 hours.
- The stitches should be removed in about 10 days.
- After the wound has completely healed, a linear scar will be left on the donor area. If your hair is long enough, the scar should be well hidden.
- It is normal for the transplanted hairs to shed soon after surgery, and for the grafts to go through a resting cycle of 3 to 4 months before regenerating new hairs.
What are the advantages to this method?
The only real advantage to the strip incision/excision method over
the newer method of follicular unit extraction is that it tends to cost
less.
What are the disadvantages to this method?
Many surgeons will cite the following as strip incision/excision disadvantages:
- Erratic hair growth
- Scarring
- Stretching of scar over time
- Slow healing time