Scalp surgery at a glance
- Procedures2
- Duration1 hour
- AnaesthesiaGeneral
- Hospital stayDay surgery or one-night stay
- Covered by Assurance MaladieCutis verticis gyrata
- Prices€2,900 to €7,000
Scalp surgery covers two procedures. Hairline advancement (hairline lowering) reduces a high forehead by 1 to 2 cm, in men and women alike, with a scar hidden at the edge of the hairline. Surgery for cutis verticis gyrata, a rare disease of the scalp skin, smooths out more than 75% of the folds using a T-shaped technique described by Dr Médard de Chardon. Each takes 1 hour under general anaesthesia, at the Clinique Oxford in Cannes.
Prices: from €2,900 to €6,000 for hairline advancement, and from €3,500 to €7,000 for cutis verticis gyrata (covered by French national health insurance, Assurance Maladie), on a written quote after consultation (€100).
The procedures
Cutis verticis gyrata
Smoothing out the folds of the scalp by re-tensioning it, using a T-shaped technique.
Hairline advancement (hairline lowering)
Reducing a high forehead by lowering the hairline by 1 to 2 cm.
Which procedure for which concern?
| Your concern | Procedure |
|---|---|
| High forehead, high hairline | Hairline advancement |
| Thickened scalp skin forming folds | Cutis verticis gyrata |
The two procedures compared
Figures taken from the procedure pages.
| Procedure | Duration | Hospital stay | Recovery | Result | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hairline advancement | 1 hour | Day surgery or one-night stay | 10 days off work | Immediate; final scar in 6 to 12 months | €2,900 to €6,000 |
| Cutis verticis gyrata | 1 hour | 1 day or one-night stay | Scalp swelling for 7 to 15 days; hair washing from day 2 | More than 75% of the folds smoothed out | €3,500 to €7,000, covered |
A technique described by Dr Médard de Chardon
Surgery for cutis verticis gyrata excises the most heavily folded areas and re-tensions the scalp. The T-shaped pattern used by Dr Médard de Chardon was described in an article in the Annales de chirurgie plastique esthétique (2009). It places the scars so as to allow future excisions and can, if needed, improve a short forehead at the same time.
How does scalp surgery work?
- ConsultationAt the practice, 101 rue d’Antibes in Cannes (€100). For cutis verticis gyrata, tests are required: a brain MRI and blood tests.
- Written quote and cooling-off periodAt least 15 days between receiving the quote and the procedure.
- Pre-anaesthetic consultationWith an anaesthetist at the Clinique Oxford, valid for 1 month.
- ProcedureAt the Clinique Oxford in Cannes, 1 hour under general anaesthesia, as day surgery or with a one-night stay.
- Follow-upDr Médard de Chardon sees you again at the practice; follow-up consultations are free. There are no stitches to remove.
Frequently asked questions
By how much can the forehead be reduced with hairline advancement?
Hairline advancement reduces the forehead by 1 to 2 cm.
Is the scar from scalp surgery visible?
It is placed just in front of the hair roots, at the edge of the hairline: it is barely visible. It reaches its final appearance in 6 to 12 months.
Is hairline advancement only for women?
No. Men and women with a high hairline can both benefit from it.
Do I need to stop smoking before scalp surgery?
Yes. Being a non-smoker is recommended, and you should stop smoking at least 4 weeks before hairline advancement.
Can cutis verticis gyrata be treated without surgery?
No. Isotretinoin and needle puncture or needle fasciotomy have been tried, without success. Only scalp-lift surgery has proven effective.
Is the result of scalp surgery permanent?
For hairline advancement, yes. In cutis verticis gyrata, surgery smooths out more than 75% of the folds but does not halt the progression of the disease; further excisions remain possible.
How much does scalp surgery cost?
From €2,900 to €6,000 for hairline advancement, which is not reimbursed; from €3,500 to €7,000 for cutis verticis gyrata, which is covered by French national health insurance (Assurance Maladie). Price on a written quote after the consultation (€100).