HT and scaring?

[thiningteen]

Obviously a HT will leave saring in the donor region BUT does the area where the hair is transplanted create scar tissue. Basically, if I have hair transplanted in my crown or frontal region will there be scar tissue in my frontal region/scalp?

I only ask this because when considering a hair transplant it'd be nice to leave the options open IF some magical hair loss treatment becomes availiabe (and to be honest it does seem like a very plausible thing to happen in the next 5-10 years)

[thiningteen]

bump.............

[Dr. Lindsey]

With current techniques (not plugs), there is minimal scarring in the recipient zone. Almost never is there clinically significant scar noticability with .9-1.1mm slits. Microscopically, one can identify an old scar in some cases, but usually this would have a hair or 2 coming out of the trauma site itself.

I am currently investigating hair follicle vascularization in animals and we are microscopically looking at previous transplant sites and it is pretty hard to see any significant scar formation even early on in the postop period if good technique is utilized.

Its kind of dry information, but we received a grant from the ISHRS to investigate this; and we'll expect to present the information next year.

Thanks for the question,

Dr. Lindsey McLean VA

[Dr. Glenn Charles]

I agree with Dr. Lindsey that the instruments used to make the recipient sites are now as small as .6 mm to 1.2 mm. At this size it is unlikely for a patient to have scarring. As Dr. Lindsey also mentioned vascularization is critical in scar tissue formation. With newer treatments such as PRP and stem cells infusion there is a good chance that significant advancements in the prevention of scarring are not to far away.