Hair Transplant

Hair transplant scars usually fade as the scalp heals, but they may not disappear completely. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) leaves small dot-like scars, while Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) creates a linear donor scar. At Hair Transplant Islamabad, planning includes careful donor-area management and discussions about scarring. It is important for patients to know that there is no 100% scar free technique in hair transplant surgery in Islamabad. Today, though, with proper care and techniques, marks can be hard to see.

Does Every Hair Transplant Leave Scar?

Yes. Hair transplantation requires follicles to be removed from one part of the scalp and implanted into areas affected by thinning or baldness. As the wound heals, a small scar may form at each extraction opening, incision or recipient site. There can be scarring at the recipient site and the donor site. These scars will fade with proper technique and in normal healing. The idea of “no scar” may be misleading, as there are still some scars.

What Does FUE Scarring Look Like?

In the FUE process, the follicular units are removed using tiny circular openings. After healing, there can be many small white or light colored spots throughout the donor area. They are not usually noticeable with sufficient hair around them.

If too many follicles are removed from the same area, large punches are used, too many sites are in close proximity, or too many follicles are removed from the donor area, FUE scars may become noticeable. They can also be exhibited following a balding procedure. Their appearance can be impacted by infection, inadequate aftercare and natural scar forming.

In FUT, a small section of scalp with hairs on it is taken from the donor area. The wound is sutured and the strip is divided into single grafts that can be transplanted.

How Long Do Hair Transplant Scars Take to Fade?

Patients may experience redness, crusting, tenderness or swelling in the first 2 weeks. Wounds typically heal and irritation starts to heal between weeks 2 and 6.

A few months later, (in months 2 and 3), the scars can be pink, darker or lighter than the surrounding skin. Sometimes the colour and texture gets better between three and six months. Many are less noticeable and flatter from 6 to 12 months. It can mature for 18 months. The degree of healing is based on the individual patient, and the end scar can only be judged after the scalp has gone through the recovery and maturation phase.

Will Scars Ever Go Away?

  • It is impossible to say that they will completely disappear. 
  • The visibility is dependent on the technique, punch size, placement of graft, density of the donor, the length of the hair, skin colour, flexibility of the scalp and closure technique. 
  • Scars may be greater in cases of smoking, infection, poor health or slow healing.
  • If keloids, hypertrophic scars or a poor healing history is present, patients should inform their surgeon prior to the procedure. 
  • Where individual risk is assessed, previous scars on the body may need to be assessed.

How Can Scarring Be Reduced?

Aftercare is crucial to healing. Do not scratch, rub or pick the scalp. Keep it out of direct sunlight, and stay away from strenuous activity and smoking while recovering.

Follow medication instructions, attend follow-up visits and report any unusual pain, swelling or bleeding or drainage. Avoid applying hair products, scar creams or oils, steroids or home remedies unless prescribed by a physician.

What Can Make Existing Scars Less Visible?

Donor scars can be covered up by longer hair. For individuals with thinning hair, scalp micropigmentation can help to create the appearance of closely-cut hair by using pigment to fill in.

Grafts may be placed in a mature scar, but the vascularity of the scar can be a problem. Colour or texture can be enhanced with lasers, and raised scars can be treated with steroid injections.

The FUT scar may have been widened, which can be excised and closed. Revision will enhance its look but will also make another cut and cannot assure a hidden outcome.

When Should You Contact The Clinic?

  • Mild redness, tenderness, swelling, and crusting can be normal during early recovery. 
  • If pain or tightness makes it worse, the redness gets worse, the scalp feels unusually warm, or there is any pus or unpleasant smelling drainage, contact your clinic. 
  • If the bleeding doesn’t stop, you develop fever, you have a lot of swelling, the wound spreads apart, it takes longer to heal, the scar becomes really thick, or the numbness in the limb continues, seek medical advice.

Can Another Transplant Hide an Old Scar?

If an old FUT scar, donor area that had too many cuts or scarring from an older technique is apparent, a corrective transplant might be able to mask it. The suitability depends on scar size, thickness, blood supply, availability of donor density, previous harvesting history, hair characteristics, desired hairstyle and anticipated graft survival. There will also be a new procedure to make new extraction marks; benefits and limitations of this process should be carefully discussed.

Planning a Hair Transplant in Islamabad!

The scars from a hair transplant will most likely fade but may not be completely removed. FUE leaves behind miniscule “dots” of scarring, and FUT leaves a strip of linear scarring. Both can often go undetected during a well planned surgical procedure and normal recovery.

Whether you are thinking of undergoing a hair transplant Islamabad or want to get the evaluation of your existing scars then you must consult at F-7 Markaz. For more information, please contact 0332 5488777 or call 051-2656491 to speak about the area for the donor, any concerns about the scars, suitable treatments, and expected outcomes.