Three Scalp Reductions - Scar Repair

[35YrsAfter]

Our patient had three scalp reductions at one of the big chain hair transplant outfits. The scars are not noticeable until he tips his head down. Our patient does not feel that he was benefitted in any way from these scalp reduction surgeries. He is one of many of our patients who was told by other doctors that hair will not grow in scar tissue. I have personally never seen hair fail to grow in scar tissue to the degree of providing considerable cosmetic benefit, during the time I have worked at Dr. Cole's office.

An article on PubMed.gov (US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health) offers some grim predictions related to transplanted hair’s survival rate in scar tissue:

“RESULTS:
The follow-up cases over 6 months after operation were 18 among total 25 cases. The result after hair follicle transplantation was excellent (44.4%), good (38.9%), fair (11.1%), and poor (5.6%).
CONCLUSIONS:
The hair follicle transplantation on the scar tissue is more difficult than grafting on normal tissue because the scar is accompanied by poor blood circulation and stiffness of tissue. The patients with burned scar achieved more favorable result than did others. Incision scars are deeper than burned scars, and their success rates are poor. We should recommend the patients that hair follicle transplantation on the scar may need secondary or more operations for the aesthetically better result.”

Contrary to this report, according to my personal observations working here at Dr. Cole’s, we get excellent growth in incision scars. ACell, PRP, our graft storage solution plus multiple pass, low density placement, greatly improves the outcome in contrast to this PubMed.gov article.



35YrsAfter also posts as CITNews and works at Dr. Cole's office - Cole Hair Transplant, 1045 Powers Place, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009 - Phone 678-566-1011
The contents of my posts are my opinions and not medical advice

[ejj]

Those scalp reduction procedures were barbaric! How on earth could anyone perform such a procedure on another human being is beyond me!

I remember when I was 22 yo and a trichologist showed me a video of this procedure performed by a Doctor in Australia, it was just the before and after of a guy who had 4 reductions! Needless to say the video left out the `important` bits !!! I was about a norwood 3 at the time and the trichologist wanted to sell this procedure to me! Lucky escape!

I agree many told me hair will not grow in scar tissue, it did in mine and I hope this client gets good growth and look forward to the updates



ejj

[USP678]

13 day photo



This is a current photo...scar is already looking much better.

[ejj]

Happy for you USP, good way to start a new year! I found my scars felt warmer to the touch and lost that dead white colour after a few months.

Look forward to the updates

All the best

ej

[bessymarf]

The article which you shared about the scar repair was interesting and useful. Are there any types for this scar problem?
Scars disappear

[1966kph]

I presently in went fue which entailed placing grafts into a 35 year old axe wound scar.
I'm only 3 weeks post op today so its to early to judge whether the scar tissue will impact growth there.
Hair never grew on or around the scar so again it will be interesting to see how it turns out.
Out of all the anaesthetic injections the ones into this scar tissue were the only ones I really felt..
At 13 days your already looking better USP.
Will watch this case with added interest.
Have a good day

[USP678]

it has been about 4 months and hairs are coming in look very natural. I have white bumps in the crown area, does anyone know what this is?

[USP678]

crown grafts

these are the grafts in my crown

[wylie]

That is an excellent close up picture. Please keep us updated on your progress. You are lucky you kept your hair on top to conceal the scars, and the addition of grafts into them is a great idea.

I noticed the areas around the grafts are raised, wondering if this will subside.

[USP678]

going to see a Dermatologist about this and will see if laser resurfacing can be done on my scalp and scars...have been told that it can be but will take many sessions to correct to an acceptable degree...

[wylie]

Make sure you inform him you've just added grafts to your scars. I wouldn't do laser until the growing phase is complete, which could be up to another year. As long as there is no discomfort in this region you should be seeing a good improvement in the coming months.

[USP678]

the doctor that I am going to specializes in getting people out of the HT cycle, even those with severe scars...

[USP678]

so I have talked several times to the doctors patient coordinator and he refuses to help answer any questions about the issue with the grafts in the crown. Apparently there was also no long term plan and now I am being told that there is no way that I can get full restoration which then makes me wonder why grafts where put into the crown and hair line if there is no long term plan and no way the full correction/restoration can be done. Bosley all over again...once something is not right they do not what to have anything to do with help anymore...I guess they got my money and that is all that matters.

[wylie]

USP678, what are your issues with the grafts in your crown? Is the growth less than optimal? You do realize there are plenty of other doctors out there who can help you, right?

[USP678]

if you see the base of the graft, as you also mentioned once before, they do not appear flat which does not look natural and has not changed since the picture was posted on this web site. I did not even ask for these grafts to be place there and especially the grafts in the hairline although the grafts in the hairline are 100% undetectable. I thought that if the doctor placed grafts that there would be a long term plan for future HT/correction, and even he has said this in videos and web site that this is always considered, but when I asked I get no response. In my opinion nothing as changed with this industry in more than 20 years: I guess that is why they call it an industry and not a medical field.

Yes, you are right there are other doctors but Dr Cole was suppose to be the best and it took me more the 20 years to trust someone...I was happy to move on with my life with the scars just the way there were but i was convinced by this clinic that my situation could be completely improved...not make it worse.