I Had a Scalp Reduction Last Month

One month ago I had a small scalp reduction done. I have experienced some telogen/shock loss. Over what period of time should I expect to continue losing hair in the adjacent area and when can I expect that hair to regrow. It has been recommended that minoxidil could help accelerate the regrowth. Your thoughts please.

Hair loss from a single, small scalp reduction is unusual. As you know, scalp reductions have fallen on hard times and the surgery has been largely abandoned because sooner or later, the hair loss will continue and the scar may then become a problem. Scalp reductions stretch the scalp from the sides (it does not bring your ears higher but some patients tell me that it feels that way), therefore they may have a negative impact on hair transplantation by increasing the scar risk from the classic strip harvesting technique because the skin above the ears (some of the donor area) is stretched and gets a reduced density and altered anatomy (which may or may not cause problems). I had three scalp reductions in the early 90s, and became an outspoken anti-scalp reduction doctor because I experienced your complication and a few more as well.

The hair loss you are experiencing may last a few months. It should peak by 3 months, but in some patients progressive hair loss may still occur. The scalp manipulation can cause hair loss and the stretch that is produced is one of the traumatic causes of hair loss. I would want to understand the Master Plan that you and your doctor worked out to understand the significance of the problem you are now having in the long term. Minoxidil may help in the short and long term, but it rarely can reverse the hair loss you have experienced if it not going to reverse on its own.