Fixing and Repairing Hair Transplant Scars

Hair restoration surgery has long been proven to be a viable option for male pattern baldness. Not only does it help restore hair coverage, but it also helps augment a man’s confidence. 

However, hair transplant scars that may occur after the surgery is one of the issues that patients face. Fortunately, new developments available today provide a lot of ways to treat the problem.

It is important for men who underwent hair transplant surgery to manage the scars properly. Some might not want others to know that they had something done, while others simply want to have a clean cut look when wearing their hair short.

The degree of scarring in a hair transplant will depend on two factors that are controllable and uncontrollable. First is the manner on which the doctor creates and closes the scar. The location should neither be too high or too low, and it should be closed properly using the right technique.

An uncontrollable factor in scar formation is the patient’s genetic healing capacity. Some may heal better than others, showing a very thin and faint scar that is barely visible. Some, on the other hand, may tend to have thicker and wider scars. In the recipient area the scar formation can be evident around the grafts. These can be in the form of bumps or dents, but these are not as visible as the linear scar at the donor site.

Related: Post- Hair Transplant Questions and Answers

Scar Treatment Options

The easiest and cheapest way to manage a hair transplant scar is to grow the hair longer. For the FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) technique in particular, the linear scar over the donor area at the back of the head can be visible. But with longer locks, this can be concealed easily. See photo of Jeremy Piven hair transplant scar below.

Jeremy Piven FUT hair transplant scars

However, not all men who underwent hair transplant would go for longer hair, which is why experts look for other possible options.

One way to conceal hair transplant scarring is to use a concealer. It comes in different colors so patients can match based on the surrounding the skin. It has to be applied every day because this is only a temporary method, and it can last until your next shower sometimes even shorter.

Brands such as DermMatch and ProTHIK are the ones most patients swear by. DermMatch is prepared as a compacted powder concealer, while ProTHIK is more known to have superior water resistant and rub-resistant capabilities.

The problem with concealers is that not everyone is keen on taking the time to apply it every day, and even several times daily for some.

Micro hair tattooing (MHT) is also another way to hide hair transplant scars. Compared to concealers, this is a more permanent solution. The tattoo is made over the scars to cover it up, and it is made to look as close as possible to the person’s natural hair color. The cosmetic tattoo artist will use several needles of varying sizes and different pigmentation to create a realistic effect.

There are companies who develop their own brand of scalp pigmentation inks to perfectly camouflage the scar tissue.  It recognizes the tough nature of a scar tissue making it less sensitive in receiving pigmentation or even retains it.

A particular service such as Good Look Ink Scalp Micro Pigmentation first provides a pre-treatment procedure before the actual tattoo is applied. It makes the scar retain the ink better because the process induces the natural production of collagen beneath scarred area. It makes it more vascularized causing the tissue to be healthy and for the ink to stay better.

The company also claims that the pre-treatment method can break down the scar tissue which causes the collagen fibers to realign and stimulate the production of melanin. As a result, both color and texture of the scar is improved allowing the tattoo to match the surrounding scalp more closely.

The Dermaroller is also a possible solution for hair transplant scars that is being observed lately. Even though it is primarily intended for acne scars treatment, stretch mark reduction, and anti-aging purposes, there are some patients who use it for hair transplant scars.

The Dermroller is a roller that is lined with needles which you roll over your skin in order to stimulate collagen production in the area. There is no definitive answer yet on whether it can help with the strip scar in a hair transplant, but some clinics are saying that they see no reason not to try it for this specific purpose.

However, there are some patients who share their positive experience with Dermroller because this product can actually be used at home. In forums they supported their claims with photos saying that the appearance of the strip scar has improved.

Another treatment that is also used on surgical scars is Fraxel. It is a non-invasive fractional laser treatment that is used to treat fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks, sun spots, acne and melasma. It is believed by some clinics as a viable option for hair transplant scars because it works for any skin color without targeting melanin (the substance that causes the skin to darken).  It works great for scars that are either flattened or elevated.

For some instead of just covering it up, they just want to get rid of the problem entirely, that is why they opt for scar revision surgery. In this procedure, the scar is removed and the scalp is pulled back together. There will still be some scarring but it will be much smaller than the original. The downside to this surgery is that as the person ages and the scalp loses its elasticity there is a good chance that the scar can widen, making it visible again.

Follicular UnitExtraction (FUE) is also another method of concealing hair transplant scars. It can be rather costly since you basically have to go under another hair transplant surgery.  This time, the donor grafts are taken from the beard or chest hair and then implanted on the scar. Those with a high hair density in other areas of the body are considered to be the best candidates for this treatment.

Source: www.aihr.com.au

Before your hair transplant surgery, discuss hair transplant scar treatments available to your surgeon. Your hair transplant surgeon can help minimize scarring by using a certain closure technique. Most surgeons use the trycophitic closure technique (TCT). Through the TCT the scars can be concealed well because the hairs can grow right through them.

If you have more questions about fixing hair transplant scars or to find out more about what can be done for thinning hair, please don's hesitate to contact us at 1300 378 336 or visit our official hair transplant page: www.esteemstudio.com.au.