Hair Transplant for Scar Repair
In recent years, hair transplant surgery has been established as a new, highly effective method of repairing scarred or damaged skin on the scalp.
During a scar hair transplant procedure, a surgeon will transplant hair follicles into areas of scar tissue. Unlike traditional techniques (such as scalp micropigmentation), getting a hair transplant over a scar provides a permanent restoration solution
Dr Bonaros provides expert scar repairs at his hair restoration clinic in Glasgow. Contact us to find out more about getting a hair transplant for scar repair.
Hair Transplantation for Scar Repair
Scalp scarring can result from a variety of causes, including accidents, burns, inflammatory diseases, and surgical marks. Individuals also commonly undergo scar revision for prior transplant surgeries like FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation).
Hair transplantation has evolved remarkably over the years, providing solutions that extend beyond hair restoration for genetic hair loss. Today, Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) surgery stands as a beacon of hope for individuals seeking effective scalp scar repair.
Understanding FUE for Scar Repair
FUE hair transplant surgery is a detailed procedure that involves the individual extraction of healthy hair follicles from a donor area (usually the back of the scalp). These follicles are then implanted into the scar tissue. The value of FUE for scar repair is linked to its precision and minimal invasiveness. This allows a surgeon to carefully place new hair follicles into scarred skin.
Pre-Operative Requirements
Hair transplant surgeons and patients will have several consultations before a hair transplant for scarring can take place. The purpose of these consultations is outlined below.
In-Depth Consultation
Before surgery, all patients should have an in-depth consultation with their hair transplant surgeon. During this initial consultation, your medical history, the nature of your scarring, and your desires are discussed. Your surgeon will explain the procedure, discuss potential risks and outcomes, and create a tailored treatment suited to your specific needs.
The Importance of Accurate Scar Assessment
Before determining a treatment plan, it is essential for your surgeon to thoroughly examine your scar tissue. This examination will cover factors such as the size, texture, vascularity, and flexibility of your scar.
Vascularity (blood supply) within the scar supports the nourishment and growth of transplanted follicles. This plays a key role in determining the viability of a hair transplant. Unfortunately, scars often have a limited blood supply, meaning they cannot hold densely packed follicles in the same way as healthy scalp skin.
Creating the Treatment Plan
With an understanding of the scar’s properties, a hair loss specialist can develop a tailored treatment plan. A common approach for scars with compromised blood supply involves a two-step procedure.
The initial session targets a moderate density of follicles, avoiding overwhelming the scar’s limited blood supply. After a healing period of at least a year, a second procedure may be contemplated to enhance density whilst ensuring the optimal survival rate of the transplanted hair.
In certain cases, depending on the scar characteristics and the patient’s health, a more aggressive single-step transplantation might be feasible. However, setting realistic expectations and proceeding with caution is crucial to prevent damage to both the scar and the transplanted hair follicles.
Post-Operative Guidelines
Scar Repair Expectations
Knowing what to expect after your hair transplant for scars is essential for easing your recovery process.
After an FUE hair transplant procedure, you will most likely experience some discomfort in the transplant area. However, this should subside after a few days. It is also common for post-operative hair shedding to occur. This is entirely normal and actually indicates the success of the procedure, as transplanted hairs fall out to allow for new hair growth.
Despite this initial sign of progress, patients should maintain realistic expectations. It is essential to understand that full results can take up to a year or more to become apparent, especially with a multi-stage treatment plan.
Fortunately, there is a relatively high success rate for patients undergoing hair transplants to improve scarring. A 2014 study on the treatment of secondary cicatricial alopecia shows a 64% to 95% survival rate of all transplanted hair follicles. This research was conducted 13 months after patients’ hair transplant procedures took place.
Surgery Aftercare
After an FUE hair transplant for scars, it is important for patients to follow their doctor’s instructions for post-procedure care to ensure optimal healing and hair growth. These instructions may include guidance on how to wash your hair, as well as activities to avoid during your recovery period.
Your surgeon may also advise you to use certain medications or topical treatments to facilitate healing, help manage pain, and reduce the risk of infection. In some cases, doctors may also prescribe oral medication like Minoxidil or Finasteride to help stimulate the growth of new hair after a scar repair procedure.
Are you looking for reliable scar treatment in the UK? Book a consultation with Dr Bonaros to discuss the most effective methods for your scar restoration.
Hair Transplants for Scars - FAQs
Before undergoing a hair transplant for scars, it is essential to be as informed as possible. To facilitate this, we have answered some commonly asked questions about scar repairs below.
Can hair grow on scars?
No, hair does not naturally grow on scars. When skin is badly damaged, it forms a protective layer of scar tissue that consists of collagen. Unlike healthy skin, this thick scar tissue does not have hair follicles beneath the surface and often has a limited blood supply. The absence of hair follicles means no hair grows in a scarred area.
When performing a scar repair procedure, a hair transplant surgeon has to implant new follicles into the scar tissue. Adequate blood flow is essential for providing the nutrients needed to maintain these newly grafted hair follicles.
Is an FUE or FUT procedure better for scar repair?
Both FUE and FUT procedures are used to repair scarring on the scalp — but is one better than the other? Answering this question requires an exploration of the main differences between these two methods.
FUE procedure
- Extracts individual donor hair follicles with “micro punches”
- Faster recovery period
- Minimal surgical scars
- More expensive
- Most suitable for small to moderate scarring
FUT “strip” procedure
- Removes a strip of skin from the donor area to create hair grafts
- Longer recovery period
- Leaves a linear scar
- More cost-effective
- Most suitable for large areas of scar tissue
Depending on individual factors like your budget limitations and scar type and size, you may prefer either an FUE or FUT hair transplant for your scar tissue. However, patients aiming to reduce scarring will most likely want to avoid a large FUT scar from strip surgery. Hair transplant surgeons will generally recommend FUE, as the scars from this procedure are barely visible.
Fill out our online assessment form to receive an estimate of how much your hair transplant for scar repair will cost.
Dr Bonaros: An Expert Hair Restoration Surgeon
Based at his hair loss clinic in Glasgow, Dr Bonaros is passionate about helping patients regain their confidence through effective hair restoration. As a full member of the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS) and Scotland’s only full member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), you can trust his expertise.
Depending on your needs, Dr Bonaros offers both surgical and non-surgical hair restoration treatments. When it comes to scar repair hair transplants, he uses the advanced FUE method to provide patients with effective, long-lasting results.
Regain your confidence with an FUE hair transplant for scar repair. Book an appointment with Dr Bonaros for a professional hair transplant and scar revision in Glasgow.
