You’ve done your research, and you’re ready to explore your options for hair restoration. The internet is full of hair restoration forums and websites on this subject, with various opinions on the best course of action. However, one big question persists in your mind: will your hair transplant leave a scar?
The short answer is yes. However, the good news is that these scars are small and can be hidden by your hair.
Remember that, along with FUE, there are different types of transplant procedures, and depending on which you get, each one will give you a different type of scarring.
Hair Transplantation Procedures and Scarring
Why Hair Transplant Procedures Leave A Scar
FUT’s
Before FUE procedures came onto the scene, the first type of hair transplant procedure was the Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). Also known as “strip harvesting,” a surgeon will remove a strip of skin from the back of your head containing hair follicles.
And because this requires closing the removal areas using stitches, this type of procedure leaves a scar (often called a linear scar) visible when your head is still shaven. However, wearing your hair to any length conceals such scarring from the procedure.
FUE’s
In the last 20 years, this newer procedure has taken over as the more popular and preferred hair transplant option. The Follicular Unit Extraction Procedure (FUE) is an alternative to the traditional method of removing hair follicles from the donor area of a patient’s scalp, which involves cutting away strips of skin containing multiple follicles and then stitching them back together.
As these areas heal, you should still expect scarring in these spots where we remove the hairs for the transplant process. Although you might also notice the scarring while your head is still shaven, unlike the FUT procedure, the scarring will, in this case, be much more minor and less perceptible to the human eye. To keep these spots effectively concealed while your hair is still in the early stages of its growth and recovery process, we recommend wearing your hair down to at least a number one guard for the first month or two.
Final Verdict
Any method will have visible scarring on the donor area, but proper care can minimize these scars. So far, FUE is the gold standard for hair transplantation and leaves smaller donor scars than other methods, so you don’t have to worry about scarring from the procedure—even if you’re prone to scarring or keloid scars.Schedule a Consult
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