Hair Transplant Wounds: Say Goodbye to Scars with SCAR Transplantation

Hair Transplant Wounds: Say Goodbye to Scars with SCAR Transplantation

Hair transplantation is one of the most transformative operations offered by modern aesthetics. However, ironically, sometimes the operation itself can lead to a new aesthetic problem, especially when performed with older techniques or by inexperienced hands: hair transplant wounds. A prominent FUT (strip) scar remaining on the back of the neck or a thinned donor area resulting from excessive and irregular harvesting with the FUE technique can prevent patients from cutting their hair short and become a constant source of discomfort. Fortunately, advances in hair restoration surgery offer a permanent solution for these scars too: SCAR Transplantation (Hair Transplantation onto Scar Tissue). As the Görkem Kazan Hair Transplant clinic, we explain in detail why hair transplant wounds occur and how you can “say goodbye” to these scars with this special micro-surgical method called SCAR transplantation.

SCAR transplantation does not completely remove the scar; instead, it camouflages it by transplanting hair follicles into and around the scar tissue, making it invisible. This is an advanced field of expertise requiring both technical precision and artistic planning. A successful SCAR transplant erases the negative marks of a past operation, allowing the patient to regain their aesthetic integrity and self-confidence.

Why Do Hair Transplant Wounds Occur and Which Ones Can Be Covered?

The main types of scars targeted by SCAR transplantation are:

1. Linear Scar Resulting from FUT (Strip) Operation:

This is the most common and successful area for SCAR transplantation. In the Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) technique, a strip of skin is excised from the donor area, and the area is then sutured. This suture line, after healing, typically leaves a permanent linear scar, thin or thick, extending horizontally across the back of the neck. This scar becomes particularly noticeable when the hair is cut short (grade 1 or 2) and restricts the patient’s hairstyle choices.

2. Donor Area Damage After Faulty FUE Harvesting:

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is known as a scar-free technique when performed correctly. However, attempting to harvest an excessive number of grafts in a single session (“overharvesting”) or extracting follicles too closely and irregularly can lead to permanent thinning, patchy gaps, and scattered white dots (punch marks) that look like a “moth-eaten” appearance in the donor area. This situation spoils the aesthetic appearance of the donor region.

How Does SCAR Transplantation Work and How Does It Hide Scars?

The basic principle of SCAR transplantation is to alter the visual perception of the scar. Scar tissue reflects light differently due to its smooth and hairless surface, which distinguishes it from the surrounding hairy skin and makes it prominent. With SCAR transplantation:

• Single hair follicles harvested from healthy donor areas (usually the nape area below or above the FUT scar, or alternative donor areas like the beard) are implanted into and immediately adjacent to the scar tissue.
• These follicles are precisely placed using techniques like DHI (Choi Pen), matching the natural hair flow direction and angle of the scar area.
• As the transplanted hair grows, it breaks up the smooth surface of the scar, disrupts its linearity, and changes the way light reflects off it. The scar tissue becomes camouflaged under the shadow of the growing hair, making it difficult to notice.

Does SCAR Transplantation Really Work? The Keys to Success

Yes, SCAR transplantation is extremely effective under the right conditions and successfully covers hair transplant scars. However, there are critical factors to guarantee this success:

1. Surgeon’s Expertise in SCAR Transplantation:

This is the most crucial factor. Scar tissue is hard, has poor blood circulation, and reacts differently than normal skin. Being able to implant grafts into this tissue at the correct depth and angle without causing damage is an art that only surgeons with specific experience in this field can achieve. An incorrect application can worsen the scar and waste limited donor resources.

2. The Importance of Biological Support Treatments:

The poor vascularity of scar tissue reduces the survival chances of transplanted grafts. Therefore, in SCAR transplantation, applying biological supports like PRP or stem cell/exosome treatments before and after the operation is mandatory. These treatments trigger the formation of new capillaries (angiogenesis) in the scar tissue, ensuring the nourishment and survival of the grafts.

3. Correct Technique Selection (Usually DHI):

The DHI (Choi Pen) technique is generally preferred to implant into scar tissue with minimal trauma and the most precise angle. As DHI does not require pre-made channels, it facilitates working in hard tissue and provides maximum control during graft placement.

4. Realistic Expectations and Session Planning:

The graft survival rate in scar tissue is always lower than in healthy skin (it can be around 70-80%). Therefore, expecting perfect camouflage in a single session is not always realistic. An expert surgeon aims for a density in the first session that will reduce the scar’s prominence and provide a natural appearance. Often, a second touch-up session can be planned after 1 year to further increase density if needed. This possibility should be discussed transparently with the patient during the pre-operative hair analysis and consultation.

The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) emphasizes that complex procedures like revision surgery and scar repair should only be performed by experienced specialists with a holistic treatment plan due to their complexity.

Conclusion: Saying Goodbye to Scars is Possible

Scars left from a past hair transplant operation do not have to be your fate. When combined with the right expertise, the right technique, and the right biological support, SCAR transplantation can effectively conceal these marks, restoring your aesthetic freedom. You can finally cut your hair as you wish and enjoy your social life without thinking about the scar on the back of your head. If you want to get rid of your hair transplant wounds, we at Görkem Kazan Hair Transplant clinic are here to create a personalized SCAR transplantation plan for you.