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Hair Transplant Scar Repair
Scars on your scalp can stem from all sorts of reasons, from accidents to past hair transplants. Hair restoration can effectively conceal scars, providing a natural and seamless appearance.
Why can’t hair grow through scar tissue?
Scar tissue is the body's natural response to injury or surgery. It's a dense layer, primarily composed of collagen, to shield the underlying skin.
Unfortunately, this thick skin leaves little room for hair follicles to emerge. Plus, scar tissue tends to have reduced blood flow, depriving follicles of essential oxygen and nutrients needed for growth.
Can I have a hair transplant on scar tissue?
Transplanting hair onto scar tissue can be trickier than on regular skin because of the reduced blood flow. However, it is possible.
The success of a hair transplant for this usually depends on the health of the skin behind the scar. If the blood supply is limited, the newly transplanted hairs may not grow as expected.
What is a hair transplant for scar repair?
Hair restoration for a scar entails harvesting healthy hair follicles, typically from the sides of your head, and transplanting them to the affected area—whether it's a scar on your scalp, beard, or even your eyebrow.
The goal is for the transplanted hairs to grow naturally and seamlessly, blending in with the rest of your hair to conceal the scar.
There are two main methods of transplantation: Follicular Unit Transfer (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).
The primary distinction lies in the method: FUT requires removing a strip of scalp from the donor area, while FUE involves extracting individual hair follicles directly from the scalp.
When addressing scar tissue, FUE is often favoured as it typically results in less noticeable scarring. In contrast, FUT leaves a small linear scar on the back of your head. However, if you have substantial scarring, like that caused by burns, FUT may be more suitable. FUT provides a greater number of follicles to cover the area.
Who is the right candidate for hair scar repair?
To determine if you're the right candidate for hair transplantation for scar repair, a surgeon will assess various factors, including:
- Scar thickness – If the scar is too thick (hypertrophic), blood flow will be limited, hindering transplanted hair growth. On the other hand, overly thin scars may struggle to hold transplanted follicles securely, resulting in low or patchy coverage.
- If you have an inflammatory disease – Inflammatory diseases, like lupus, can disrupt the normal function of hair. This can lead to weakened or damaged follicles, affecting their ability to support new hair growth after transplantation. It's recommended to wait for at least five years of disease inactivity before considering a transplant.
- Your expectations and goals – Understanding what you hope to achieve and discussing realistic outcomes with your surgeon ensures that your expectations align with the potential results of the transplant.
- Available donor hair – The amount and quality of your donor hair will determine if there's enough to get great results and cover up the scarred area nicely.
To learn more, read our guide on the best candidate for FUE hair transplants.
World of difference to my confidencePeter
The hair transplant scar repair process
1. Consultation
The restoration process begins with a consultation to evaluate your current hair condition. During this session, the surgeon will assess whether you're suitable for a hair transplant and offer advice on the subsequent steps.
Your surgeon will consider various factors, including:
- The thickness of your scar
- Hair growth around the scar
- The severity of your hair loss
- The quantity of grafts required to achieve your desired outcome
- The availability of healthy donor hair
- The duration of your hair loss
- The cause of your hair loss
2. Procedure
Understanding what to expect on the day of your hair transplant can help alleviate any concerns. Although every surgery is customised to meet your individual requirements, here's a general overview of what you can expect during the procedure:
- Anaesthesia – Before the surgery begins, you'll receive anaesthesia to ensure your comfort.
- Extraction – Healthy hair follicles are carefully extracted from the donor area using the FUE or FUT method. If you opt for a FUT transplant, the surgeon will then skillfully close and stitch up the incision.
- Harvesting the grafts – Following extraction, the grafts are organised into groups according to their thickness and size. This classification is crucial to guarantee that the transplanted hair aligns with the desired shape and density of the surrounding hair.
- Implantation – The surgeon will strategically implant each follicle into the scar tissue to achieve a natural outcome.
The whole procedure usually lasts between 3 to 8 hours, but it can vary from person to person.
Remember, you won't see the final results until your scalp has completely healed, which usually takes about 12 months.
I understand the true impact a great hair transplant can have.
Dr. Steve Stangoni is a renowned hair transplant surgeon specialising in Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) since 2014 at FUE Clinics. With a background marked by personal experiences of hair loss and a medical degree from the University of Southampton, he offers empathetic, expert care. Registered with the GMC since 2009, Dr. Stangoni combines his expertise in general practice and hair transplantation to provide comprehensive patient care.
A committed member of ISHRS and SITRI, he actively engages with the latest developments in hair restoration. Dr. Stangoni’s approach is patient-centered, aiming for natural-looking results and understanding the psychological effects of hair loss. Fluent in both English and Italian, he connects with a diverse patient base. Outside the clinic, he enjoys adventurous and creative outdoor activities.
View ProfileRecovery and aftercare
Hair transplants on scar tissue can be challenging due to reduced blood flow. That's why attending your scheduled check-ups is essential. Your surgeon needs to monitor the area closely to ensure the transplanted follicles are taking hold properly. If you have any worries, don't hesitate to contact your surgeon for guidance.
Your newly transplanted hair follicles will be vulnerable for some time after the procedure. To achieve the best results, it's crucial to allow them to heal properly, and this means avoiding certain activities, including:
- Hair washing – Refrain from washing your hair for the initial five days following the procedure to give the follicles time to settle and heal.
- Exercising – Physical activity can increase your blood pressure, potentially causing bleeding at the transplant site. To promote a smooth healing process, avoid all strenuous activities for at least 14 days after the procedure.
- Applying pressure to the head – If you've had a transplant on your scalp, it's best to elevate your head with pillows for the initial two weeks. This will avoid putting pressure on the freshly transplanted area.
- Wearing a hat – While you might feel inclined to wear a hat to conceal any scabs, it can create friction or tightness in the transplanted area. This may disrupt healing or lead to infection, so it's best to refrain from wearing one for approximately a week following your procedure.
After the procedure, your surgeon will supply you with pain relief medication to ensure your comfort during the first few days of recovery. They'll also give you all the hair transplant aftercare instructions you need.
What are the alternatives to DHI hair transplants?
Direct hair transplants can be more expensive and time-consuming than other restoration methods. However, there are alternatives available.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) methods offer effective solutions for restoring your hair to its former glory. The only difference to DHI is the use of the implanter pen during the procedure.
These well-established methods have a track record of proven success.
Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation consultation, where our experts can evaluate which procedure is most suitable.
FAQ's
Scars, especially those on visible areas of the body like the scalp, can often be a source of self-consciousness or insecurity. Therefore, concealing scar tissue can boost confidence and make people feel more at ease in social situations, increasing their overall well-being and quality of life.
Covering up scars can help people move past traumatic experiences associated with the injury or surgery that caused the scar.
Newly transplanted follicles can undergo a phase known as "shock loss," typically occurring one to two weeks after the surgery. But not to worry – this is a natural part of the healing process and is only temporary. Most patients begin to notice visible results within a few months following the procedure.
The hair gradually thickens over time, with significant improvement usually seen between 6 to 12 months. You should see the final results within 12 to 18 months post-surgery.
The total cost can vary based on factors like the number of grafts required, the complexity of the procedure, and your desired outcomes.
Specialised clinics, like FUE Clinics, will offer a personalised price quote during your consultation. For further details, visit our pricing page.
Hair transplants are commonly carried out using local anaesthesia to ensure that you remain comfortable throughout the surgery.
You may encounter some discomfort in the initial weeks after your procedure, but this can be alleviated with pain medication prescribed by your surgeon.
Hair transplants are permanent procedures, so the transplanted hair follicles should continue to grow naturally and, therefore, conceal your scar for the rest of your life!
This is because hair follicles used in the transplant are typically harvested from areas of the scalp that are resistant to hair loss, like the back or sides of the head.
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