Category: More on Scarring

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Can I Remove My Donor Scar Using Lasers? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I had three hair transplant surgeries and now I shave my head because of the results. I like the shaved head look but the scar from the donar are sticks out like a soar thumb. How can I remove the scar or make it les noticeable? Will laser scar removal help?? Is there any solutions to my problem?

Thanks

Sometimes one can address scars on the back of the head, and I have managed such scars on a few patients. The laser is not a magical instrument and I doubt it would help you with removing the linear hair transplant scar in the donor area unless it was elevated and the laser was used as a treatment to flatten it. Dermabrasion can accomplish the same thing. If the scar is heaped up (keloid like) then the use of steroid injections have value, but for a flat scar, neither the laser, dermabrasion, nor lasers will help. The treatment of acne scars with laser sare another thing altogether. There, laser resurfacing works on some people, but lasers can be used in many ways. Removing the scars from a hair transplant in the back of the head is not one of the things that lasers can offer help on.

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Reduction of Childhood Scalp Scar – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have a childhood scar in the back of my head about 1 inch long and 1/2 inch wide. I’m looking to possibly get scar reduction surgery, and wanted to know how it’s works and an estimate of the cost? And any suggestion you may have.

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The ability to address scars on the head depend upon where it is located. I would have to see you, examine your scalp, and then make the determination. I can not quote a cost without seeing you directly, but most costs are $3,000 or less.

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Hair Loss from Z-Plasty Incision in Scalp – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Doctor, I recently have had a spot removed from the top of my head. It was necessary to do a z plasty, which is roughly 4 inches in the longest part. I have no natural hair loss, but have been on Propecia for roughly 14 months. Since the surgery, (6 weeks ago) I have significantly thinned in a z pattern on my head, where the incision was made. It actually looks worse than it did 1 week after the surgery. I am very concerned and would like your opinion if I am experiencing what some might classify as shock loss, and if my being on propecia for a year prior would lend itself to me getting my hair back. Thank you

Having any scalp surgery in an area where you are genetically balding will accelerate the hair loss, and it quite possibly may be permanent. Even a scalp surgery like what you described can cause hair loss in non-balding people. Shock loss is usually best prevented by Propecia (finasteride 1mg) in men with genetic hair loss. You will know what will happen in 6-8 months. You may need transplants there if it does not self correct.

For those curious about a Z-plasty, Wikipedia has a nice explanation here.

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I Cut My Scalp – Will the Hair Regrow? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I shave my head with a disposable razor, I accidentally cut myself on the top of my head, which left an open cut/wound, it started bleeding for about 30 minutes, then stopped. I’ve been treating the wound with Cocoa Butter for the last(2)days. Will my hair grow back in the area that was accidentally cut?

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If it is just a superficial cut on the skin, yes, your hair should grow back. If there is a bad scar, hair will likely not grow on the scar itself.

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Hair Loss InformationUsing Lasers to Remove Hair Transplants from 14 Years Ago – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello,

I am 33 years old and had a transplant surgery done in 1994. My hairline had receded slightly and I thought I was going bald, so made a rash decision and had the procedure done. Since that time I have lost very little hair and currently have a full head of hair.

I have never been happy with the results, as it looks unnatural and obviously not my own hairline. Now, at 33, I would like to have it fixed. I have been in contact with a local doctor who operates a medical spa and he has recommended laser hair removal. He said it should take about 4-6 months to complete.

I have 3 questions: First, is laser hair removal effective for removing transplants. Second, is scaring likely. Third, if successful at killing the hair, will laser hair removal address the issue of the bumps I feel at the base of the transplants? And if not, what are options for smoothing out these bumps?

Thanks.

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Cases like yours are unfortunate, but it is an important reminder that hair transplants are permanent. As such, you need to make sure you are getting the treatment done by a physician and a medical group that you trust and that you have checked out for competence in this area. Do not search for the best deals, but rather do the research and make an informed decision. Most importantly see prior patients up close (not just photos) to gauge your realistic expectations.

Laser removal does work on transplanted hair, but you would need many treatments and there may be some discoloration of the skin. More importantly your “bumps” will still remain. In the end you may be left with no hair, but with bumps that are discolored. If this is still something you are interested in, you need to ask the doctor if he/she has had experience with cases like yours and if so, ask to see former patients and results.

You may also consider a consultation with a hair transplant doctor to see if there are repair surgeries possible to soften your unnatural hairline. As an example, you can see some before/after photos of repair work at NHI. Also, there’s a story I posted a while ago from a man that wanted to “undo” his hair transplant, complete with photos — Horror Story with a… Happy Ending?. What is important in that “Horror Story” is that the patient was happy with the results of his laser treatments, although I would imagine that many of the viewers here may not find it acceptable. Compare where he ended up with where he began, as everything is relative.

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How Long Do I Need to Wait After Surgery to Repair Strip Scar with FUE? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman

Congratulations once again on a great blog that is truly informative and of great help to the hairloss community. My question revolves around FUE into scar.

On past blogs I know you mentioned that you like to wait at least 5-6 months to do a scar repair… but if I understood your reply correctly I think you were referring to a tryclosure revision.

I recently got a HT (2400 grafts) and part of my scar got a bit infected. One side came out perfect with no problems and the other one not so much. Luckly the infection wasn’t necrosis or anything too serious but I have experience shockloss around it and was wondering how long do you recommend before I or anybody can do a small FUE session into the scar. I seriously refuse to go the strip route ever again even for a repair. BTW, I’m only about a 1.5 months out of the surgery (which was closed using tryclosure technique) and this was my 2nd HT. I know it’s too early to panic on the healing of the scar but wanted to know a timeframe as to when is the earliest I can act to correct this if need be.

Thanks to you and your staff once again for taking he time to answer our questions.

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It takes about 6 months for any scar to heal relatively fully, thus I recommend waiting out that 6 month time frame.

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Hair Loss InformationIf I Just Get a Small Scar Repair, Is Shock Loss Still Possible? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Doc!

What if I want to “repair” a small, round scar on the top of my head, say about 1 x 1 cm wide… Will I still need propecia to prevent shock loss? That is, is shock loss even possible when transplanting such a small amount of grafts?

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If you have active male pattern baldness (MPB), then yes, it could impact your hair and cause hair loss.

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Hair Loss InformationAfter 4 Years, I Still Feel Pain in the Donor Area – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

After almost four years, I feel pain around the donor area. I doubt the doctor has cut too deep and damage my nerve or muscle. What is the way to identify the source of the pain?

Thanks!

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Possible nerve damage or irritation is a potential risk of hair transplant surgery as well as other surgeries which involve a deep cut in to the skin. Rarely, I have seen cases where a patient may experience pain in focused areas around the donor scar. With time this should resolve. However, after four years you may want to go back to your surgeon and discuss what this source of pain may be. Without a direct examination, I do not believe I can advise you on a possible source of your pain. An examination of your scalp will show if the major nerves are intact, and if you have a trigger point from which the pain can be elicited. This should be part of a doctor’s examination of you, something I would do if I were your doctor.

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How Long After a Transplant Can I Have a Scar Revision? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Dr. Rassman,
How long after a strip procedure can I have a scar revision done? I need one. This last procedure didn’t fare too well and I cannot hide it. Thanks for your help.

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Of course, your doctor should make that decision. I generally like to wait a minimum of 4-6 months to fix a scar. Also, you might ask the doctor if he/she knows why your scar is wide. Was the wound under tension? What type of closure was used for the surgical wound? I would also want to know if you have had scar problems elsewhere on your body and the number of hair transplant procedures you had.