Can hair transplants work on scar tissue? It can!
One of the biggest myths floating around about hair transplants is that they can’t be done on scarred areas. Fortunately, that’s just not true! In fact, a study surveyed 37 patients who had hair transplants done on scarred tissue, and the average satisfaction rating was an impressive 4.6 out of 5! Pretty amazing, right? But if that’s the case, how does this rumor still have life?
Well, it seems to come down to the way we hear about scarring and hair transplants—usually as two separate things. Let’s break down some of the most common misconceptions that might be keeping these rumors alive:
Rumor #1: Scar Tissue Doesn’t Have Hair Follicles
This one’s technically accurate—scar tissue itself doesn’t have hair follicles. In the past, that was a big obstacle to hair transplants, but times have changed! These days, techniques like Follicular Unit Transfer (FUT) and Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) make it possible to place healthy, live hair follicles onto scar tissue, even if no follicles are already there.
What does that mean for you? It means your doctor can take hair from a donor area, typically from another part of your scalp, and transplant it onto the scarred area. Afterward, you can enjoy natural hair growth where there used to be nothing but scar tissue.
Rumor #2: You Need Healthy Hair Follicles in the Treatment Area
This is only true for certain types of treatments. For example, Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) stimulates hair growth in follicles that are still alive but aren’t functioning at their best. This type of therapy can work if you’re dealing with temporary hair loss, like from a vitamin deficiency. However, it won’t be effective if you’re dealing with genetic conditions like male or female pattern baldness.
In cases where hair growth has been permanently halted, like with scar tissue, a full hair transplant tends to offer the best results. Stimulating hair follicles around a scar is an option, but it’s often better to go straight for a transplant if you want full coverage.
Rumor #3: Hair Transplants Cause Scarring, So How Can They Fix It?
This is a concern many people have, and it’s rooted in a misunderstanding of older hair transplant methods. Older techniques could indeed leave noticeable scars, but modern procedures like FUT are designed to minimize scarring as much as possible.
FUT, for instance, involves transplanting strips of hair rather than individual follicles, which means fewer cuts and less trauma to your skin. This leads to quicker healing and, ultimately, less scarring. Dr. Williams, who specializes in hair transplants, takes extra care to minimize scarring, using his extensive experience to ensure the procedure is as smooth and scar-free as possible.
While no medical procedure is entirely scar-free, FUT is highly effective at reducing visible scarring because of how the hair is transplanted. Instead of making a bunch of tiny incisions, the surgeon transplants hair in sections, which means your body doesn’t have to heal as many wounds.
Rumor #4: Scar Tissue Doesn’t Have Blood Flow, Smartypants!
Here’s where things can get a little confusing. Yes, scar tissue can affect blood flow in certain situations, which can be a problem for treatments that rely on existing follicles to grow hair. But when it comes to transplants, it’s a different story.
When a surgeon transplants hair into a scarred area, they’re actually placing new follicles into the tissue. These follicles don’t rely on the damaged scar tissue to survive. Instead, they connect to the blood vessels beneath the skin, establishing a new blood supply that allows the transplanted hair to grow.
So, even if the scarred area doesn’t have great blood flow on its own, the transplanted hair follicles can still thrive because they connect to the healthy blood supply underneath the scar.
The Importance of Post-Transplant Care
Like with any medical procedure, the success of a hair transplant—especially one done on scar tissue—depends heavily on how well you take care of your scalp afterward. Follow your doctor’s post-op instructions closely to ensure everything heals properly and that your results look as good as possible.
Dr. Williams, who specializes in hair restoration, always provides personalized care instructions for both the time before and after the procedure. His goal is to ensure that you feel comfortable and confident throughout the process and that you’re happy with your new look once everything is healed. Thanks for taking the time to learn more about the truth behind the rumors. We at Advanced Medical Hair Institute hope you have a great month ahead!
