Why can’t hair grow through scar tissue?

Scar tissue is the body's natural response to injury or surgery. It's a dense layer, primarily composed of collagen, to shield the underlying skin.

Unfortunately, this thick skin leaves little room for hair follicles to emerge. Plus, scar tissue tends to have reduced blood flow, depriving follicles of essential oxygen and nutrients needed for growth. 

Can I have a hair transplant on scar tissue?

Transplanting hair onto scar tissue can be trickier than on regular skin because of the reduced blood flow. However, it is possible. 

The success of a hair transplant for this usually depends on the health of the skin behind the scar. If the blood supply is limited, the newly transplanted hairs may not grow as expected.

What is a hair transplant for scar repair?

Hair restoration for a scar entails harvesting healthy hair follicles, typically from the sides of your head, and transplanting them to the affected area—whether it's a scar on your scalp, beard, or even your eyebrow.

The goal is for the transplanted hairs to grow naturally and seamlessly, blending in with the rest of your hair to conceal the scar.

There are two main methods of transplantation: Follicular Unit Transfer (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).

The primary distinction lies in the method: FUT requires removing a strip of scalp from the donor area, while FUE involves extracting individual hair follicles directly from the scalp.

When addressing scar tissue, FUE is often favoured as it typically results in less noticeable scarring. In contrast, FUT leaves a small linear scar on the back of your head. However, if you have substantial scarring, like that caused by burns, FUT may be more suitable. FUT provides a greater number of follicles to cover the area.

Who is the right candidate for hair scar repair?

To determine if you're the right candidate for hair transplantation for scar repair, a surgeon will assess various factors, including:

• Scar thickness – If the scar is too thick (hypertrophic), blood flow will be limited, hindering transplanted hair growth. On the other hand, overly thin scars may struggle to hold transplanted follicles securely, resulting in low or patchy coverage.
• If you have an inflammatory disease – Inflammatory diseases, like lupus, can disrupt the normal function of hair. This can lead to weakened or damaged follicles, affecting their ability to support new hair growth after transplantation. It's recommended to wait for at least five years of disease inactivity before considering a transplant.
• Your expectations and goals – Understanding what you hope to achieve and discussing realistic outcomes with your surgeon ensures that your expectations align with the potential results of the transplant.
• Available donor hair – The amount and quality of your donor hair will determine if there's enough to get great results and cover up the scarred area nicely.

To learn more, read our guide on the best candidate for FUE hair transplants. 

The hair transplant scar repair process

1. Consultation 

The restoration process begins with a consultation to evaluate your current hair condition. During this session, the surgeon will assess whether you're suitable for a hair transplant and offer advice on the subsequent steps.

Your surgeon will consider various factors, including:

• The thickness of your scar
• Hair growth around the scar
• The severity of your hair loss
• The quantity of grafts required to achieve your desired outcome
• The availability of healthy donor hair
• The duration of your hair loss
• The cause of your hair loss

2. Procedure 

Understanding what to expect on the day of your hair transplant can help alleviate any concerns. Although every surgery is customised to meet your individual requirements, here's a general overview of what you can expect during the procedure:

1. Anaesthesia – Before the surgery begins, you'll receive anaesthesia to ensure your comfort.
2. Extraction – Healthy hair follicles are carefully extracted from the donor area using the FUE or FUT method. If you opt for a FUT transplant, the surgeon will then skillfully close and stitch up the incision.
3. Harvesting the grafts – Following extraction, the grafts are organised into groups according to their thickness and size. This classification is crucial to guarantee that the transplanted hair aligns with the desired shape and density of the surrounding hair.
4. Implantation – The surgeon will strategically implant each follicle into the scar tissue to achieve a natural outcome.

The whole procedure usually lasts between 3 to 8 hours, but it can vary from person to person.

Remember, you won't see the final results until your scalp has completely healed, which usually takes about 12 months.

What are the alternatives to DHI hair transplants?

Direct hair transplants can be more expensive and time-consuming than other restoration methods. However, there are alternatives available.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) methods offer effective solutions for restoring your hair to its former glory. The only difference to DHI is the use of the implanter pen during the procedure. 

These well-established methods have a track record of proven success.

Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation consultation, where our experts can evaluate which procedure is most suitable.