Role of scalp reduction in the treatment of male pattern baldness.

Scalp reduction applies the principle of staged excision to the alopecic area in male pattern baldness. Two to rarely five excisions are performed as outpatient office procedures under local anesthesia. The reduction greatly enhances the results obtainable by supplementary hair transplantation and may reduce or eliminate the need for it. A personal series of 30 patients is presented. Technique and expected results are illustrated. Complications and limitations of the method are discussed. Wider consideration of scalp reduction in the treatment of patients seeking hair restoration is encouraged.