The surgical methods for realizing hair transplants have come quite a long way since the initial days of hair plugs. Despite that, scarring is one of the inevitable byproducts of the procedure. There exist two kinds of surgical methods that are highly spread nowadays. And each one of them generates a different type of scarring. In large part, the surgeon’s skill and experience can determine the amount of scarring you will be left with. Whichever method you pick, do know that wound-closure methods have improved too, alongside the procedures themselves.

Transplant Procedures

The two most commonly used surgical procedures for hair transplants are follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE).

Within three to six months, both surgeries commence producing noticeable hair growth.

FUE

The Sapphire FUE hair transplant procedure utilizes the hair follicles that get extracted from the sides or the back of the scalp (the donor sites). The surgeon will perform the removal of each hair follicle graft one by one with a micro-punch tool. Each extraction leaves a small circular scar, about 1 millimeter in diameter.

Depending on the number of hair follicles extracted, this can add up to hundreds or sometimes even thousands of puncture mark scars. Such scars might seem like small white dots after healing. Every hair follicle contains one to four hairs.

The hairs are next grafted onto the recipient sites of the scalp, where small incisions are made for each singular hair. Granted, due to the painstaking nature of this process, many hours or even days might be needed for the surgery.

Furthermore, the procedure might be repeated a couple of times over the course of two to three months in order to accomplish the best outcomes. It is to be noted that the FUE procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and under the administration of local anesthesia. There are no stitches or sutures required and the recovery period is quite swift and short.

FUT

The FUT procedure needs a strip of the scalp to be surgically removed, one that contains hair from the donor site- which is commonly situated on the back of the scalp. After the hair strip has been removed, the area will be stitched together.

The procedure does leave a linear scar, of varying lengths, depending on the size of the strip that has been extracted. In certain cases, the scar might extend from one ear to another. Next, the hair follicle grafts are removed from the scalp strip and they are more than ready to be grafted onto the recipient sites of the scalp, where small cuts have previously been placed for each individual hair.

The FUT procedure, similarly to the FUE, is also done under the administration of local anesthesia and it is performed on an outpatient basis. The sutures are removed about 10 days later. The full procedure might produce a little more swelling and pain in comparison to the FUE procedure, and of course, the results vary from one individual to another.

Hair Transplant Scar Removal

With the use of different other procedures, there will be lessening and reduction of the size of the scars that were created via the FUT procedure. In spite of the fact that their success isn’t always a guarantee and some scars are almost most certain to remain. Bear in mind that with aging, the scalp will begin naturally sagging, which can make the scalp reduction scar more noticeable and wider.

Another alternative might be the grafting of the hair follicles into the FUT scar with the employment of the FUE method. The efficacy of this option will be established, partly, by the thickness of the scar. Scar tissue can often be thinned with the use of medication, which makes it more viable in certain instances. Noteworthy: the scarred skin does not always hold onto the grafts as healthy skin does. The surgeon will be the one capable of telling whether the procedure might work for you.

How To Conceal Scars

Yet another option is the concealing of the scarred area. This can be done through the growing of the hair over the donor site. Some types of scars, including keloid scars, might be a little more difficult to conceal than others. Keloid scars, for instance, are raised scars, which can grow larger than the original surgical scar. They may continuously grow over the months or years. Some individuals are more susceptible to keloid scars than others. Do let your surgeon know if you have already had a keloid scar prior to undergoing any type of hair transplant procedure. There also exist procedures that can assist in hiding your scar:

Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP)

Also referred to as scalp hair tattooing or medical hairline tattoo, this enduring procedure involves the injection of pigment straightly into the scalp, providing an appearance of thicker hair. Some people decide on SMP rather than undergoing a hair transplant procedure.

Scalp micropigmentation can additionally be utilized in the scarred sites left behind by FUT or FUE.

However, the process might take a few sessions to complete, based on the size of the region being injected. The ink color is picked so it can match your current hair color. Remember that your hair might go gray or it might even get lighter, but the ink will most likely not lighten at the same rate.

The procedure can be a little uncomfortable.

Tricopigmentation (TMP)

Tricopigmentation or TMP is a temporary form of scalp micropigmentation. The procedure offers semi-permanent inking seeing as it inserts the ink into the top layer of the dermis. The lasting time from the TMP inking can vary from one clinic to another, approximately six months to three years. The procedure might also be physically uncomfortable for certain people.

Laser Treatment

The laser treatment might aid in the reduction of the appearance of scars and it is oftentimes utilized in conjunction with TMP or SMP. The laser helps in targeting and removing the damaged skin on the surface of the scar. It can also help in stimulating collagen production in the skin’s dermis layer, the rejuvenation of elasticity, and the overall appearance of the skin. It is a procedure not specifically designed for hair transplant scar removal, and as per the previous two treatments, the results of the laser treatment may also vary from one individual to another.

Can Hair Grow Back After Scarring?

Simply put, no. Let’s explain it in Layman’s terms: considering there is an absence of hair follicles in a scar, there is no way for hair to actually grow in scar tissues. Yet, there is still the possibility of getting a hair transplant on the scar tissue. To do so, the surgeon will proceed with grafting hairs still present in the follicles into the scar.

This will enable the hair to commence taking roots after the hair transplant and then it will grow once a relationship with blood vessels has been created. In different wording, hair follicles will typically begin growing hair back for an FUE/ FUT patient once the site has been fully healed and the follicles are completely grafted by the surgeon into the skin to get the proper flow and supply of blood from the closeby blood vessels.

Looking For Hair Transplant Help In Tirana, Albania?

Whilst the FUT (follicular unit extraction) method is quite a straightforward intervention with little to no chance of hair transplant scarring, it still matters who conducts the procedure. An experienced and well-qualified hair transplant surgeon, like those found at Advanced Hair Clinic, can provide patients with the results they are trying to achieve. Surgeons at Advanced Hair Clinic, will emulate an individual’s natural hair growth pattern in the balding or thinning regions to offer a more natural and fuller appearance to a patient’s hairline, providing them with one of the best hair restoration results.

Both the FUT and FUE hair transplant methods are innovative approaches to alleviating hair loss or pattern baldness, in order for patients to feel much younger and much more confident. Our team at Advanced Hair Clinic is dedicated to offering both these natural-looking and outstanding techniques to women and men. Contact us today to set up a hair restoration consultation.

FAQs

Are Hair Transplant Scars Permanent?

Similar to other surgical procedures, hair transplants do leave permanent scarring. Fortunately, FUE scars are almost invisible and there exist different approaches to hiding the FUT scarring and making it very discrete.

Can Hair Transplant Scars Be Removed?

Even though scar tissue cannot basically be removed, there exist ways to make it less visible, such as laser treatments, growing out your hair, or even micropigmentation.

Can Hair Transplants Be Done On Scar Tissue?

FUE hair transplants can be conducted on scar tissue. However, it should be noted that they are quite more complex than a standard procedure which implies less successful results. Have a discussion with your doctor first, who can give you recommendations on whether you are eligible for a transplant.

How Long Does A Hair Transplant Scar Take To Heal?

Scars healing is part of the recovery process of the hair transplant procedure. Generally, it takes approximately two weeks for the recovery and healing from a hair transplant, yet, considering each patient is different it might take longer for some than others.

What Does A Hair Transplant Scar Look Like?

Depending on the procedure, a hair transplant scar will look different. A FUT hair transplant might result in a single linear scar, typically on the back of the head. While an FUE hair transplant will, instead, result in several tiny, circular scars that are oftentimes too tiny to see.