Hair transplants may have started out rudimentary, but the current procedures are now a viable hair growth solution that now uses more precise techniques and laser technology.
A hair transplant scar is still evident in some types of hair transplant surgeries, leaving a noticeable line where follicles were harvested. There are also some ways to hide the scar by growing your hair out or with a pigmentation procedure.
If you’re dealing with hair loss, then hair transplants may be the best option to get permanent, full, thick hair without having to take a pill every day. The first thing you’ll have to decide is what type of transplant is best and if you’ll be left with a notable scar. Read on to find out more.
Table of Contents
- What Type of Hair Transplant Scar Problems Can You Expect?
- Scars Caused by Hair Transplant Surgery
- Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
- Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
- FUT or FUE: Which Has Worse Scarring?
- Should You Get Scar Removal?
- How to Conceal a Transplant Scar
- Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP)
- Tricopigmentation (TMP)
- Reduce Appearance with Laser Treatments
- Wrapping Up: Living with Hair Transplant Scarring
What Type of Hair Transplant Scar Problems Can You Expect?
The type of scarring and extent of visibility depend on your skin type/color along with the elected hair transplanting technique.
Scars Caused by Hair Transplant Surgery
There are two types of surgeries available for hair transplants, commonly known as “Hair Plugs”. There’s a certain amount of scarring that occurs with each surgery, even if you have an experienced surgeon. Their skill and extraction instruments used may reduce the amount of scarring, however.
There are also new wound-closure procedures that have minimized scarring as well. The technique that you select for hair transplants may have a significant effect on the type of scarring and the size.
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
This procedure is also known as strip method. This is the more invasive way to remove and transplant hair follicles. A piece of scalp is removed here to supply donor hairs that will be transplanted into recipient sites.
Once the strip of hair is removed, the area is then sutured back together. This leads to a rather nasty scar at the back of the head. The hair grafts are removed from the scalp strip and then placed into the recipient areas of the scalp. Small incisions are made here for each individual follicle.
Local anesthesia is used, and the stitches are removed about 10 days following the procedure. FUT patients have said that this procedure causes more pain and swelling than an FUE surgery (below).
What remains is a linear scar that runs across the back of the head.
The FUE hair transplant procedure typically uses follicles from a graft taken off of your back and sides of the scalp. These are the donor areas that allow your doctor to remove each follicle and graft it individually onto your scalp using a micro-punching tool. Each follicular extraction will have a tiny scar that spans only 1 millimeter in diameter.
However, if you have hundreds of follicles removed, then you will have hundreds or thousands of little scars. These may turn into miniscule white dots after they heal. Every follicle contains one to four hairs, respectively.
Typically, you’ll get this procedure repeated several times over two to three months. This offers the best result for recovery and fuller, thicker hair.
FUT or FUE: Which Has Worse Scarring?
Out of the two procedures, most patients who choose FUE want to avoid scarring. The FUE white dot scars left behind in some cases are easier to disguise, whereas FUT can cause a long horizontal scar at the back of your head. You should consult with your doctor about these scars before agreeing to a transplant surgery.
However, this also depends on your history with scarring, and whether you develop keloid scars. One thing to remember is that FUE also requires you to shave your head completely for most surgeries. This yields the most grafts to transplant and recreate your mature hairline.
Should You Get Scar Removal?
Many hair transplant patients go through scar removal after a surgery. This means that they may reduce the size and pigmentation of the scar which is typically done for an FUT surgery due to the scar being more noticeable. However, it’s not always successful in hiding all the scar. If you have very dark or tan skin, the scarred areas will likely be more noticeable.
Another way to fix a hair transplant scarring from FUT is using the FUE method. This involves another transplant surgery to recover after a previous transplantation. Since new technology has led to greater popularity for extraction techniques, you can cover the scar with new hair follicles.
In addition, scarred tissue may be thinned out using a medicated topical. This medication is the best treatment for those who want to avoid more surgery. However, it could take a few years to see significant results.
How to Conceal a Transplant Scar
Cosmetically, there are a number of ways to conceal the scar, but you should know that as your hair grows, it will cover most of the scar. In addition, keloid scars are more difficult to conceal as they are more raised and appear larger than the original surgical scar.
Keloid scars also have a tendency to grow over months and years. Some people more prone to this type of scarring due to genetics. If you have an issue with thick, raised scars such as keloid scarring, then you should let your doctor know before the hair transplant surgery.
Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP)
This procedure is also known as a medical hairline tattoo or scalp tattoo. This is a permanent technical procedure that injects pigment like your hair color into the scalp, which offers the appearance of thicker hair and disguises the scar entirely.
In fact, some people choose to go for a stubble shaven look and get scalp micropigmentation all over their head. The tattoo resembles actual follicles.
See our Complete Guide to Scalp Micropigmentation
Hiding Transplant Scars
Scalp micropigmentation for scars can be the best option if you have dealt with a long, raised keloid scar from a hair transplant surgery. The procedure is performed by a technician and typically takes multiple sessions to finish, depending on the size of the scar.
The ink is also chosen to match the color of your hair as well. If you have gray or lighter hair, you may not want to get scalp micropigmentation because it won’t look as realistic, or you may need to dye your hair.
There is some minor discomfort during the procedure, but it’s not unlike getting a tattoo. If you have issues with needles and pain, this may not be the best procedure. From personal experience, it’s not that bad.
Tricopigmentation (TMP)
Some hair transplant patients like to get TMP, which is a temporary version of the SMP procedure. This process involves semi-permanent inking. Needles inject the ink just to the top lay of the dermis.
This version doesn’t last as long as a traditional SMP surgery, but it can be helpful if you don’t want to tattoo your head permanently.
Reduce Appearance with Laser Treatments
The latest procedures involve the use of lasers. These can reduce significant scars and may be used in combination with SMP or TMP to completely hide the scar. The laser targets the scarred skin on the surface, stimulating collagen at the dermis layer. This helps to rejuvenate the skin and sponsor new elasticity, leading to a reduction in the discoloration from the scar.
Results may vary, and it typically takes a few sessions to fully treat the scar.
Wrapping Up: Living with Hair Transplant Scarring
In most cases, your hair will cover up most of the scars with an FUE transplant. However, FUT procedures have a much longer, prominent scar that spans the back of your head. These scars are most often covered with SMP or TMP, which recreates the follicles using tattooed micropigmentation. This could be the best option if you have significant discoloration around your car.
FAQs
Can you get rid of a hair transplant scar? ›
Laser therapy, which is frequently used in combination with SMP or TMP, is an excellent hair transplant scar removal method that can help decrease the appearance of scars. The laser targets and eliminates the damaged skin on the scar's surface.
How do you cover up a hair transplant scar? ›And what our goal is today is to go inside the scar tissue as well as blend a little bit around the
What do hair transplant scars look like? ›Each extraction leaves a tiny round scar, up to 1 millimeter in diameter. Based on how many hair follicles are extracted, this can add up to many hundreds or even thousands of puncture mark scars. These scars may look like tiny white dots after healing. Each follicle contains one to four hairs.
How long do hair transplant scars last? ›After hair transplant surgery is complete, the recipient area and the donor area will need time to heal. You will notice redness and scabbing in the recipient area. It is important that you do not touch the grafts for at least six days. The scabs are usually gone within 10 days.
How can a scar be removed? ›Scars cannot be removed completely, but they can often be made less visible. A GP may refer you to a dermatologist (skin specialist) or a plastic surgeon for treatment. Some treatments, such as laser therapy and steroid injections, are not widely available on the NHS, so you'll need to pay for them privately.
How do you hide scars on your scalp? ›Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) is a prime example of an effective head scar-concealing technique where a skilled technician covers up the mark by using a carefully-blended pigment that matches your hair and your scalp. The results look very realistic and the scar appears indistinguishable, even when viewed up close.
Can hair grow back on a scar? ›Hair doesn't naturally grow in scar tissue because there aren't any hair follicles in a scar. Hair follicles are capsules underneath the skin that hold and regrow hair. Blood vessels under follicles help them grow and regenerate. But when a scar forms on damaged skin, hair follicles don't grow back.
Can you hide FUE scars? ›You can hide the transplant scars from a follicular unit transplant (FUT) with hair transplantation using the
Answer:
FUE scars should look very reasonable in 3-6 weeks almost disappearing.
When follicles are transplanted into scar tissue, they must take root and connect with the surrounding capillaries before hair will begin to grow. Scar tissue is prone to poor blood supply, so it's harder for transplanted follicles to get the nutrients needed for healthy hair growth [3-4].
Does a hair transplant last forever? ›
The results of a hair transplant are visibly long-lasting and are considered to be permanent. The procedure is also time-consuming and does involve a healing and recovery process.
What is the disadvantage of hair transplant? ›numbness or lack of sensation on the treated areas of the scalp. itching. inflammation or infection of the hair follicles, which is known as folliculitis. shock loss, or sudden but typically temporary loss of the transplanted hair.
Does hair grow back in donor area? ›So, does donor hair grow back? Yes, it can. A few factors come into play to determine if hair grows back, and how long it takes normal hair growth to resume from the donor area. The type of extraction, whether it's
After hair transplantation, the donor area could be shaved at any time. Since shaving the donor area will not affect the recipient area, there are no restrictions. It will be best for you to wait before shaving the donor area as the hair growing in the donor area could protect the inflamed areas from sunlight.
How long after hair transplant wear a hat? ›After 7 to 10 days, wearing a hat is considered safe. However, experts recommend not to use any tools that pressure your scalp at least 3 months after a hair transplant. Your surgeon will recommend you to wait at least 10 days before you wear hats.
Can I wear a cap after hair transplant? ›Most will recommend you wait at least ten days before wearing a hat or a cap. It takes 7-10 days for your transplanted grafts to take root in the balding areas. Every
As a rule of thumb, patients should consider hair transplant surgery if they have turned 30 or older. Patients younger than 30 ought to consider hair loss medications first to stabilise their hair loss before considering surgery like an FUE hair transplant.
What is the most effective scar remover? ›Experts agree that in-office laser treatments are the most effective way to improve the appearance of scars. “Lasers can target pigment in the scar or help remodel the collagen to heal the scar texture,” board-certified dermatologist Dr.
Can old scars still be removed? ›The reality is, once a scar forms, there is no way to entirely remove it. Any product or procedure that says it will completely heal your scar should be purchased with caution. Luckily, many scars will fade over time. You may notice that the scar you attained many years ago is nothing but a thin white line now.
Does aloe vera remove scars? ›Aloe vera can be used to lighten acne scars
A 2018 review of studies found that a compound in aloe vera called “aloesin” may help to reduce hyperpigmentation in acne scars. Aloesin helps reduce the overproduction of melanin, a darker pigment that can make acne scars more noticeable.
How can I cover up a deep scar? ›
How To: Cover / Conceal A Scar - YouTube
Does hair grow back after scalp incision? ›It is not unusual to have some hair loss when an incision is made on the scalp. It is possible that some of the hair follicles were destroyed during your procedure, but in most cases, the hair should grow back.
Does micropigmentation work on scars? ›The scalp micropigmentation treatment for scars helps to take the eye away from the linear-ness of the scar and creates a nice even tone throughout the back of the head. In just the first session, you can see the difference between the white scar tissue we've treated and the previous scar area.
Can beard grow on scars? ›Hair doesn't grow on most scars, so a facial hair transplant doesn't just cover the scars; it can give a more typical beard on men with facial scarring. Facial hair transplants can be used to fill in a few spotty areas where additional coverage is desired, or it can be used to restore a full goatee or beard.
How do you regenerate hair follicles? ›- Massage. Massaging the scalp, which can be used in conjunction with hair oils and masks, stimulates the scalp and may improve hair thickness . ...
- Aloe vera. Aloe vera has long been used for treating hair loss. ...
- Coconut oil. ...
- Viviscal. ...
- Fish oil. ...
- Ginseng. ...
- Onion juice. ...
- Rosemary oil.
They found that women preferred men with facial scars for short-term relationships and equally preferred scarred and un-scarred faces for long-term relationships. Men, however, regarded women with and without facial scars as equally attractive for both types of relationship.
Do FUE scars shrink? ›Answer: Healing of the donor area after
the donor area goes through its healing process and it usually takes about a couple of weeks to heal. As for the scar from fue, in time the dots do shrink, but you may still see the small dots in the donor zone.
Comedic Got Talent judge Louis Walsh, Dancing on Ice Judge Jason Gardiner, Elton John, Jamie Foxx, Mel Gibson and David Beckham – all of them had celebrity hair transplants.
How long does it take for scalp to heal after hair transplant? ›At around 5 days post hair transplant, your scalp should be healed enough that you can begin to gently wash it again. At this stage, the soreness and swelling that appeared after the transplant should have mostly disappeared.
Can your body reject a hair transplant? ›Unlike organ transplants, you are your own donor for a hair transplant. There is no donor and recipient. If you received hair, follicles, and tissue from someone else (other than an identical twin), your body would reject them without immune-suppressant drugs.
How long does FUE hair transplant scar take to heal? ›
Healing time can vary from patient to patient, but the general average healing time is from 10 days to 2 weeks.
Beard transplant surgery provides natural-looking, permanent results. The incisions made using the
After being approved by the FDA to treat androgenic alopecia, topical minoxidil has also been used as an off-label medication to treat several other types of alopecia, including alopecia areata, scarring alopecia, and anagen effluvium.
Is it possible to grow hair on stitches? ›Yes hair will grow around the sutures and if a trchophytic closure was used then hair will grow through the suture line.
Do hair transplants go GREY? ›Hair transplant surgery will not alter the color of your hair. In rare cases, the procedure may stimulate premature greying some of the transplanted hair but will not affect its overall health or lifespan. Once the donor area starts to grey, the recipient area will eventually follow suit.
Is hair transplant very painful? ›Thanks to local anesthesia and post-operative pain medications, no, a hair transplant is not painful. While no surgery can be completely painless and some brief and likely temporary level of discomfort is possible, a hair transplant is typically a pleasant and easy experience for most hair loss sufferers.
Do I need to use minoxidil after hair transplant? ›Must The Hair Loss Patient Use Minoxidil After Hair Transplant? Using Minoxidil after a hair transplant procedure is not necessary. While some patients will have a hair transplant surgery to avoid using a medication, others just won't just need it since they are not suffering from generic hair loss conditions.
Which shampoo is best after hair transplant? ›Revita® Hair Stimulating Shampoo is a wise choice for after-transplant care. It stimulates existing and transplanted follicles for optimum hair growth.
Why do most people not get hair transplants? ›Most transplants are done with your existing hair, so they're not as effective for treating people with: widespread thinning and baldness. hair loss due to chemotherapy or other medications. thick scalp scars from injuries.
Does hair transplant affect eyes? ›Swelling or oedema of forehead or eyelids is a common consequence of hair transplantation surgery, especially 2–6 days after the operation. In some cases, this oedema is so severe that patient cannot open his/her eyes. In rare cases, it is accompanied with ecchymosis of the eyelids (black eyes).
How can I sleep after hair transplant? ›
After a hair transplant, you need to sleep on your back, facing up. You sleep with your head on a neck pillow to help keep your head elevated in the correct position. Avoid tossing and turning or sleeping on your stomach.
Can chest hair be used for hair transplant? ›Analysis of data showed that chest hair is the best of the different body hairs. It has best density, least transection, highest yield and longest growth after transplantation. The back, abdomen and arms cannot be considered as suitable hairs.
How long does it take to see results after hair transplant? ›When do patients see results from a hair transplant? Most patients see results between six and nine months after surgery. For some patients, it takes 12 months. It's important to know that between two and eight weeks after the surgery, the transplanted hair will fall out.
Can I cut my hair 1 month after hair transplant? ›When will I be able to get a haircut after a hair transplant? Dr. Somji will able to offer you specific advice on the timescales following hair restoration surgery to your first haircut. In general, patients need to wait at least one month following FUE and FUT hair transplant surgery.
Do you have to cut your hair before a hair transplant? ›You won't have to shave your entire head prior to getting a hair transplant. The medical team at Innovations Medical will only shave a portion of the back of your scalp to make it easier for Dr. Bill Johnson to extract the healthy hair follicles. However, you can cover the shaved portions with your existing hair.
How long do hair transplant scars last? ›After hair transplant surgery is complete, the recipient area and the donor area will need time to heal. You will notice redness and scabbing in the recipient area. It is important that you do not touch the grafts for at least six days. The scabs are usually gone within 10 days.
Do FUE scars go away? ›Background: There is presently no treatment for scalp scars that is fully satisfactory. The modalities of treatment currently in use are surgery, hair transplantation, and micropigmentation.
How long do FUE scars last? ›Answer:
FUE scars should look very reasonable in 3-6 weeks almost disappearing.
The results of a hair transplant are visibly long-lasting and are considered to be permanent. The procedure is also time-consuming and does involve a healing and recovery process.
How do you fix FUE scars? ›
Linear scars as a result of follicular unit transplantation (FUT) cannot be removed. However, they can be fixed with a transplant repair. This involves grafting individual hair follicles using donor hair from other areas of the scalp into the scar tissue to hide the scar with the
With scars, there is nothing to worry about:
While the FUT hair transplant technique leaves only a few scars, the
Yes, hair transplant scars are permanent. But that is the very nature of injuries, that they are permanently visible marks on your skin. Some scars fade away with time, some can be covered under the body hair, as is with hair transplant surgery.
Will hair grow back over a scar? ›Answer: Hairs do not usually grow on the scar after the laceration has healed. Hairs do not usually grow on the scar after the laceration has healed. There may be regular hair growth near the surrounding areas to cover your scar. The only way to have hair grow on the scar is to transplant hair follicles into the scar.
Does hair grow back after scalp incision? ›It is not unusual to have some hair loss when an incision is made on the scalp. It is possible that some of the hair follicles were destroyed during your procedure, but in most cases, the hair should grow back.
Can hair grow back after head surgery? ›After the operation, your hair will grow back where it has been shaved. Once the wound on your head has healed, and your stitches or clips have been removed, you can wash your hair and use hair products as usual. You can also dye or treat your hair once the wound has healed.
How do you grow scar tissue in your hair? ›In order to transplant hair onto a scar, a surgeon will graft hairs that are still contained in their follicles into the scar. This lets the hair to begin taking root and growing again once they make contact with blood vessels.
Can your body reject a hair transplant? ›Unlike organ transplants, you are your own donor for a hair transplant. There is no donor and recipient. If you received hair, follicles, and tissue from someone else (other than an identical twin), your body would reject them without immune-suppressant drugs.
How long does it take for scalp to heal after hair transplant? ›At around 5 days post hair transplant, your scalp should be healed enough that you can begin to gently wash it again. At this stage, the soreness and swelling that appeared after the transplant should have mostly disappeared.
Do hair transplants go GREY? ›Hair transplant surgery will not alter the color of your hair. In rare cases, the procedure may stimulate premature greying some of the transplanted hair but will not affect its overall health or lifespan. Once the donor area starts to grey, the recipient area will eventually follow suit.
Can you wear a hat after hair transplant? ›
Most will recommend you wait at least ten days before wearing a hat or a cap. It takes 7-10 days for your transplanted grafts to take root in the balding areas. Every
- bleeding.
- infection.
- swelling of the scalp.
- bruising around the eyes.
- a crust that forms on the areas of the scalp where hair was removed or implanted.
- numbness or lack of sensation on the treated areas of the scalp.
- itching.
- inflammation or infection of the hair follicles, which is known as folliculitis.