Covering Hair Transplant Scars: Does SCAR Transplantation Really Work?
Covering Hair Transplant Scars: Does SCAR Transplantation Really Work?
Covering Hair Transplant Scars – A hair transplant is an operation performed to improve aesthetic appearance and regain self-confidence. Ironically, however, sometimes the operation itself can leave undesirable and permanent scars, especially when done with older technology or by inexperienced hands. A prominent FUT (strip) scar on the back of the neck or a thinned donor area after a faulty FUE harvest can become a new aesthetic concern for patients. At this point, the most frequently asked question is: “Is it possible to cover these hair transplant scars? Does SCAR transplantation really work?” The answer is scientifically and technically clear: Yes, SCAR Transplantation (Hair Transplantation on Scar Tissue) is extremely effective in camouflaging hair transplant scars when combined with proper planning, an expert surgeon, and biological support treatments. As the Görkem Kazan Hair Transplant clinic, we explain in detail how this delicate repair surgery works, under what conditions it succeeds, and what the realistic expectations should be.
The main goal of SCAR transplantation is not to remove the scar, but to make it invisible by camouflaging it with hair. Scar tissue is structurally different from normal skin, and this difference is the most important factor determining the success of the operation. Therefore, SCAR transplantation is a “correction” or “revision” surgery that requires much more expertise, precision, and biological preparation than a standard hair transplant.
Which Hair Transplant Scars Can Be Covered?
SCAR transplantation offers solutions for various types of scars resulting from different hair transplant techniques:
1. Linear Scar Remaining After a FUT (Strip) Operation
This is the most common and effective area for SCAR transplantation. The older FUT method, which involved removing a strip of skin from the donor area, leaves a permanent, noticeable horizontal linear scar on the back of the neck. This scar is a major problem, especially for men who want to wear their hair short. With SCAR transplantation, hair follicles are implanted one by one onto this scar using the FUE or DHI technique. As the transplanted hair grows, it breaks up the linearity of the scar, making it almost completely invisible.
2. “Over-harvested” Donor Area After a Faulty FUE Harvest
Although the FUE technique is known for not leaving scars, when performed by inexperienced hands or when an excessive number of grafts are attempted in a single session, a non-uniform, patchy, “moth-eaten” appearance can occur in the donor area. In these cases, a small number of grafts taken from healthier parts of the donor area can be transplanted into these gaps to increase the area’s density and provide a more homogeneous appearance.
Why and How Does SCAR Transplantation Work?
The success of SCAR transplantation is based on a simple principle of camouflage. A scar is noticeable because its smooth, hairless surface reflects light differently. Hair follicles implanted into and around the scar tissue at angles that match the natural hair flow break up this smooth surface and change the light reflection. As the hair grows, the scar tissue is hidden in the shadow of the hair, becoming unnoticeable. In other words, the scar does not disappear, but it is hidden by being covered with hair.
The “But” of Success: Under Which Conditions Does SCAR Transplantation Work?
For SCAR transplantation to “work,” certain conditions must be met. If these conditions are not met, the operation may fail, and valuable donor grafts may be wasted.
1. The Surgeon’s Expertise in SCAR Transplantation
This is the most critical factor. Scar tissue is hard, and its blood circulation is poor. Implanting grafts into this tissue at the correct depth and angle is much more difficult than a standard hair transplant. The surgeon must understand the biology of scar tissue, know what density the tissue can support, and have the skill to use precise methods like the DHI technique.
2. The Necessity of Biological Support Treatments
In SCAR transplantation, PRP or stem cell/exosome treatments are not an “option,” but a mandatory part of the treatment. Just as it is pointless to sow seeds in soil with no circulation, it is just as risky to implant follicles into a scar that has not been biologically supported. These treatments, applied before and after the operation, trigger the formation of new capillaries (angiogenesis) in the scar tissue, ensuring the nourishment and survival of the transplanted grafts.
3. Realistic Density Goals and Session Planning
The graft survival rate in scar tissue is always lower than in healthy skin. Therefore, expecting 100% density in a single session is not realistic. An expert surgeon aims for a density in the first session that will camouflage the scar and provide a natural appearance. Often, a second “touch-up” session may be planned after 12 months to further increase the density, based on an evaluation of the result.
4. Patient’s Patience and Proper Care
The healing and hair growth process in scar tissue is slower than in a normal hair transplant. The patient must be patient during this process and meticulously follow all post-operative care instructions given by the surgeon.
Organizations like the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) emphasize that complex procedures such as hair transplant revision and SCAR transplantation should be performed by surgeons with special expertise in this field, using a holistic treatment plan.
In conclusion, the answer to the question “Does SCAR transplantation work?” is a definite “Yes” when the right conditions are met. This operation successfully covers scars left from old hair transplants, restoring the patient’s freedom to wear their hair as they wish and eliminating their aesthetic concerns. If you are also troubled by scars from a past operation, you can contact us to create a personalized SCAR transplantation plan with our specialists.
